The President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, has requested Nigeria’s help in finding an African solution to the Somali crisis, which he said, had spilled into Kenya.
William Ruto, the Deputy Prime Minister of Kenya and Special Envoy of Mr. Kenyatta to Mr. Jonathan, delivered the message at the State House, Abuja on Friday.
He said, “Nigeria plays a leadership role in Africa and Kenya needs you to join other leaders for a framework to help resolve the Somali problem.’’
Mr. Kenyatta said that Mr. Jonathan’s personal intervention in the Somali problem would help greatly. He also spoke on improving relations through extending Kenya Airways flight to Abuja as well as Kenya’s commitment to enhancing intra-African trade.
Responding, Mr. Jonathan said that Africa needed to find a collective solution to the problem in Somalia, suggesting a meeting of leaders on the sidelines of the AU 50th Anniversary Summit, scheduled for next week.
He said that Nigeria was concerned about the activities of terrorists in Somalia and other places in Africa and the attendant negative effects on peace and development on the continent.
“I have just declared a state of emergency in three states in our country to check the havoc of terrorists. So, I can appreciate the issues confronting Somalia and Kenya.’’
On the bilateral level, Jonathan said that Nigeria and Kenya had a lot to gain from stronger mutual relations.
He assured the envoy of necessary cooperation in that regard.
(NAN)
Source: Premium Times
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