Joint Communiqué issued at the conclusion of an Official Visit to Kenya by His Excellency Mr. Kgalema Motlanthe, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, 24 – 26 November 2010
At the invitation of His Excellency the Vice President and Minister for Home Affairs of the Republic of the Kenya, Hon. Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, EGH, MP, His Excellency Kgalema Motlanthe, Deputy-President of the Republic of South Africa paid a three-day official visit to the Republic of Kenya from 24 to 26 November 2010. H.E the Deputy President was accompanied by a high powered delegation consisting of the Minister of Trade, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries, the Deputy Minister for the Department of International Relations & Cooperation, Deputy Minister for Tourism and other senior officials of the Government of the Republic of South Africa.
On arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, H.E. the Vice President was received by his host, H.E. Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, EGH, MP, as well as Cabinet Ministers and other senior officials of the Government of the Republic of Kenya.
The three-day visit further deepened and greatly enhanced the evolving strategic partnership between Kenya and South Africa and was hailed as a major step in enriching the warm, cordial ties which happily exist between the two Governments and the peoples of the Republic of Kenya and the Republic of South Africa.
During official discussions at Harambee House, Nairobi, the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa delivered a message of cooperation, friendship and solidarity from H.E. President Jacob Zuma, to his brother, His Excellency Mwai Kibaki. He confirmed that His Excellency President Jacob Zuma had accepted his counterpart’s invitation to visit Kenya on a State Visit in 2011, the dates of which would be finalized through normal diplomatic channels.
H.E. Mr. Kgalema Motlanthe also engaged in fruitful consultations with the Rt. Hon. Raila A. Odinga, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya. Their discussions centred on regional economic issues and the two agreed that the future development of Africa depends on increased intra-Africa trade and the resolution of conflicts.
During their bilateral deliberations, the two delegations agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in a specific range of areas including tourism, trade and investment, agriculture, higher education, as well as cooperation in diplomacy and the management of correctional facilities.
H.E. Mr. Motlanthe had the opportunity to visit small-scale farmers in Githunguri, and a dairy cooperative society to acquaint himself with the role of the cooperative sector in poverty alleviation. The Deputy President expressed his admiration for the Kenya cooperative model. In this regard, the exchange of expertise and information in the area of cooperatives will form an integral part of the economic cooperation between the two countries.
Acknowledging the importance of existing cordial relations between the two countries, H.E. the Deputy President Hon. Kgalema Motlanthe stressed that Kenya and South Africa shared similar concerns and aspirations in peace and security in the Horn of Africa. The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring a peaceful referendum in the Sudan in January 2011. On the issue of Somalia it was agreed that the Institutions of the Transitional Federal Government be strengthened and that the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) is supported to ensure peace and stability. The two countries will continue holding regular consultation on topical issues with a view of having a common position in regional and international fora.
H.E. the Vice-President and the Deputy President presided over a Kenya-South Africa business symposium which was held on the sidelines of the official visit. The symposium brought together business entities from manufacturing, services, jua kali (Small & Medium Enterprises), agriculture, correctional service managers and construction.
Both delegations reaffirmed their commitment and determination to further deepen the existing co-operation between the two countries. They agreed that the two Foreign Ministries would continue interacting in a structured and regular manner. They also underscored the need for Senior Officials of various ministries to hold sectoral meetings in preparation for the launch of the Kenya-South Africa Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) in February 2011. This should address common issues of mutual interest.
H.E. Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe presided over the signing of the following: MOU on Agriculture cooperation between the two countries and Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation. These Agreements will contribute to the deepening and expansion of bilateral trade and cooperation between the two countries.
H.E. Mr. Kgalema Motlanthe thanked H.E. Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, Vice President of the Republic of Kenya for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to him and his delegation during the visit and indicated that he would reciprocate.
Done in Nairobi, on this 26th day of November, 2010
