NAAIROBI— South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in the country for a two-day official visit.

During the visit, he will hold talks with his host President William Ruto aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations.

Ramaphosa was received at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by Foreign affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua and Mining Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya.

Kenya and South Africa in 2021 signed eight Memoranda of Understanding that seek to enhance and broaden bilateral relations, trade and investments between the two countries.

The signing ceremony was presided over by the former President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta and President Ramaphosa during Kenyatta’s State Visit to South Africa on Nov 22-24, 2021.

The agreements were an outcome of discussions reached during the Joint Commission of Cooperation (JCC) held in Nairobi in August 2021 which reviewed the status of bilateral relations; put in place mechanisms for enhancing the relations, and undertook negotiations on bilateral instruments for cooperation.

The agreements signed included: a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Kenya and the Government of the Republic of South Africa on the Establishment of Diplomatic Consultations which establish and set guidelines for conducting diplomatic consultations on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest, and MOU on Diplomatic Training, establishing a framework for the development of cooperation activities on foreign policy research and analysis, training of diplomatic personnel and exchange of information and publications between the Parties.

The former CS Amb Raychelle Omamo and Foreign Minister in the Department of International Relations and Cooperation Dr Naledi Pandor also signed two MOUs on behalf of their respective countries.

Other instruments that were signed were the Agreement on Migrants Matters, Return of Nationals Refused Entry and Illegal Entrants; Health; Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA); MOU on Transport Related Matters; and Tourism.  The two leaders directed the respective ministers to ensure the implementation of Agreements and MOUs.

The two leaders also witnessed the signing of the Strategic Partnership Framework between South African Airways SOC and Kenya Airways PLC during the Business Forum that details the roadmap leading to the creation of a Pan Africa Airline Group by the Parties.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK