Kenyan president, top Canadian diplomat discuss bilateral ties, conflict in Sudan
NAIROBI, Kenya
Canada and Kenya on Tuesday agreed to support peace and humanitarian efforts in Sudan where fighting has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands of people.
After a meeting with Kenyan President William Ruto at the State House in the capital Nairobi on Tuesday, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said: “Kenya can count on our support.”
“We will continue to work with the international community to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. We stand with the people of Sudan,” she said.
President William Ruto announced on Tuesday the two countries are collaborating to tackle the crisis in Sudan and boost labor migration.
“The US and Saudi Arabia have engaged the warring parties in a cease-fire. The UN agencies and other humanitarian organizations are ready to offer assistance to the people and help resolve the conflict,” Ruto said, offering to host a process of mediation between the warring sides in Sudan to help restore peace in the country.
The recent fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has left hundreds dead and thousands injured.
Apart from the Sudan crisis, the two leaders also discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly labor migration.
Kenya and Canada are working on a framework to enable more Kenyans to get skilled jobs in Canada, enhance the capacity of Kenyan workers in North America and ensure that they are well-equipped to contribute positively to the Canadian economy.
The officials from the two countries are set to meet in Canada next month to develop plans to boost bilateral relations and implement the labor migration framework.
