Algiers, Nairobi: Convergence on major issues of continent
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APS : WEDNESDAY 20 JANUARY 2021
ALGIERS- Algeria and Kenya are on the same wavelength on major continental and international issues of common interest and official meetings are expected between the leaders of the two countries in order
to speed up the consultations on the outstanding agreements, said a joint communiqué culminating the working visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs Sabri Boukadoum to Kenya.
The two countries agreed to intensify efforts to strengthen the cooperation between Algeria and Kenya through regular political consultations, so as to raise bilateral relations to the desired strategic level, said the source.
In this regard, they agreed to hold the inaugural session of the JCC before the end of the year 2021. Taking note of invitation extended by H.E. Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya, to H.E. Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE, President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, to pay a State Visit to Kenya, the Ministers agreed to fast-track consultations on the outstanding agreements in readiness for signing during the State Visit.
On this occasion underlined with satisfaction the quality of the cooperation between the two countries, in several areas. The Ministers agreed to join efforts to explore opportunities for expansion of the cooperation in the areas of economic, trade and investments.
Minister Sabri Boukadoum congratulated the Republic of Kenya on taking up its seat at the United Nations Security Council as a Non-Permanent Member for the period 2021-2022 and assured of Algeria’s support to, and solidarity with Kenya for a successful tenure at the Security Council; and, expressed support for Kenya’s efforts to promote Africa’s voice and defend the continent’s just causes and principled positions for a safer and more prosperous world.
Minister Boukadoum also paid tribute to Kenya’s role as a current Member of the African Union Peace and Security Council, and as a Bureau Member of the African Union, especially in coordinating efforts to provide adequate and timely AU responses to the challenges faced during the past year, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Both Ministers also discussed and exchanged views on the political, peace and security situation in Africa, and expressed convergent views and concerns about the instability and conflict in some parts of the Continent, including in Libya, Mali, the Sahel region, the DRC, CAR and in parts of the Horn of Africa Region; as well as on the global threat of terrorism and extremism which they condemned in the strongest terms possible.
They called for more efforts to stop the increasing and extremely worrying spread of terrorism in all regions of the continent, including through upholding international norms with regards to the prohibition of payment of ransom to terrorists.
Concerning the situation in Libya, the Ministers underscored the need to redouble efforts in order to preserve the cease-fire and secure an inclusive and Libyan-owned political solution to the conflict that will preserve the unity and territorial integrity of Libya and put an end to the external interference in the country. They underscored the role of neighboring countries in coordination with the African Union and called for greater involvement of the latter in the ongoing political process to resolve the crisis in Libya.
With regards to the situation in Mali, the Ministers underscored the need for the international community to provide the required support in order to ensure success of the ongoing transition for the benefit of the Malian people. They acknowledged the role of Algeria in its capacity as Chair of the Follow-up Committee and underscored the importance of the full implementation of the Malian Peace and Reconciliation Agreement, emanating from the Algiers process, to preserve the unity and territorial integrity of the country, as well as the stability of Mali and that of the wider region.
The Ministers welcomed the progress made in South Sudan by the parties that are signatories to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and welcomed the ongoing peace talks to bring the non-signatories on board. The Ministers urged the International Community to extend support and good will to the people of South Sudan.
With regards to AMISOM, the Ministers exchanged views on the mission and recognized the important role played by AMISOM in pacifying Somalia and ridding the country of terror groups including the Al-Shabab. The Ministers noted that AMISOM continue to experience challenges especially in respect to predictable funding. including lack of force multipliers and enablers, and in this regard urged the United Nations to consider financing AMISOM through UN assessed contributions. The Ministers called on the AU and the UN to renew the mandate of AMISOM.
In this context, they reiterated the importance of providing African solutions to African problems and agreed on the need to enhance AU efforts to Silence the Guns in Africa, in coordination with its partners, including the United Nations.
The two Ministers also exchanged views on the issue of Western Sahara and expressed their concern following the escalation of the military tensions in the occupied territories. In this context, they reaffirmed their position on the achievement of a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that would provide for the holding a free and fair referendum on self-determination for the people of Western Sahara. They underlined the crucial and urgent need for the United Nations Secretary General to appoint his Special Envoy for Western Sahara to advance the consultations and preparations for the UN mandated Referendum.
At the economic level, the two Ministers welcomed the entry into force on the 1st of January 2021, of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, a flagship program of the Agenda 2063 of the African Union, that constitutes a milestone for continental integration through intra-African trade and investment.
They reiterated, in this regard, their commitment to join efforts for the implementation of the AU Agenda 2063 and its first ten years Action Plan, as well as the United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.
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