President William Samoei Ruto has announced that Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire will strengthen diplomatic relations following bilateral talks with Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara at State House Nairobi.
In a statement issued after the meeting on Sunday, May 10, President Ruto said the two countries had agreed to establish stronger diplomatic representation, including the opening of an embassy in Nairobi.
According to the Head of State, Kenya will also send its first-ever ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire as part of efforts to expand the country’s diplomatic footprint in West Africa and enhance bilateral cooperation.
Kenya, Ivory Coast move to strengthen diplomatic presence with new embassy. Photo: Courtesy.
Ruto further welcomed President Ouattara’s commitment to strengthen Côte d’Ivoire’s diplomatic presence in Kenya through the appointment of an ambassador to Nairobi.
The two leaders also discussed opportunities for increased collaboration in trade, investment and cultural exchanges aimed at improving economic and people-to-people relations between the two nations.
The meeting took place ahead of the Africa Forward Summit being hosted in Nairobi.
The two leaders also held discussions on cooperation at the multilateral level, with Kenya seeking Côte d’Ivoire’s backing for Njoki Ndung’u in her bid for a position as a judge at the International Criminal Court.
President Ruto said the talks focused on strengthening collaboration in international affairs and advancing shared interests within global institutions.
