Inside President Ruto’s Call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
President William Ruto has disclosed details of a high-level phone conversation with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday, where they discussed key issues shaping Kenya-US relations and global security.
Strengthening Kenya-US Trade Ties
A major point of discussion was the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a pivotal trade framework that has bolstered economic ties between Africa and the US. Ruto emphasized the urgent need for its renewal and urged the US government to continue supporting African economies through the agreement.
They also explored ways for the US Department of Commerce to enhance trade facilitation, opening doors for more robust economic collaboration between American and African businesses.
Trump’s Special Envoy to Africa
Ruto expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for appointing Massad Boulos as Special Envoy to the Great Lakes region. He termed the move a strong indicator of the US government’s commitment to Africa’s stability and peace efforts.
Kenya’s Leadership in Global Peacekeeping
Another crucial agenda in the conversation was Kenya’s pivotal role in maintaining peace in various global hotspots. Ruto and Rubio discussed Kenya’s leadership in stabilizing Haiti, with the US reaffirming its strong support for the Kenya-led Multi-National Security Support Mission (MSS). The President welcomed the US backing for sustainable UN support for the mission.
Kenya’s Regional Peace Initiatives
Rubio acknowledged Kenya’s active role in peace-building efforts across Africa, including providing a crucial platform for Sudanese actors to engage in dialogues aimed at restoring civilian governance. Kenya has also been working with partners such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE to mediate the conflict in Sudan.
Ruto further briefed Rubio on the recent Joint Summit of Heads of State of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), held on Monday, focusing on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) peace initiative.
Addressing Conflicts in South Sudan and Somalia
The two leaders also reviewed the South Sudan conflict, with Ruto updating Rubio on Kenya’s efforts to mediate between the government and opposition forces to de-escalate violence and recommit to peace talks.
In Somalia, escalating terrorist activities remain a critical concern. Ruto underscored the necessity for Kenya and the US to collaborate in tackling security threats posed by terrorist groups, not only for the stability of the Horn of Africa but also for international peace and security.
What’s Next?
As Kenya continues to position itself as a key diplomatic force in regional and global affairs, Ruto’s call with Rubio signals deeper Kenya-US cooperation on trade, security, and peacekeeping. The developments from this conversation are expected to influence policies and international engagements in the coming months.
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Inside President Ruto’s Call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio