US Secretary John Kerry visits Africa with a message of fighting radical ideologies

US Secretary of State John Kerry has held bilateral talks with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta in a bid to discuss issues of political unrest, good governance and counterterrorism in South Sudan and Somalia.

During the talks in State House Nairobi Kerry said that terrorism is a cancer in the East African region and government leaders needed to combine forces to eradicate radicalization.

‘Violence extremism is a challenge we face together and it is remains a global obstacle. Al Shabaab may have had its start in Somalia but it does not care about international borders. Terrorists are a regional threat and they demand a regional response,’ said Secretary Kelly.

‘We need to ensure that Africa Union Mission in Somalia AMISOM has the resources in order to conduct in partnership with Somalia a sustained and relentless drive against Al Shabaab. This will ensure when a terrorist flees an area they are never able to return. We have to ensure we secure our borders and share intelligence,’ he added.

President Kenyatta urged the US and the international community to continue engaging in the Horn of Africa country proactively to sustain the stabilization efforts.

Kenyatta expressed optimism that following the endorsement of the electoral calendar by the National Leadership Forum, Somalia will stick to the election time frame which will culminate in the election of a President on October 30. 

Kenyatta shared with Secretary Kerry that the recent violent skirmishes in Juba have serious implications for the implementation of the Peace Agreement signed in August 2015.

Kerry appealed to the warring parties of South Sudan to implement the peace deal of August 2015 and that a force would be deployed in South Sudan capital Juba to help in returning the peace in the area.

On behalf of other foreign affairs ministers in the East African region, Kenya’s Ambassador Amina Mohammed said they had reached a consensus that a protection force be deployed in Juba.

‘The US will provide $138 million to South Sudan to purchase food supplies, water and medicine. However this aid will not be long term,’ said Secretary Kerry.

Secretary Kerry called on Kenya to hold peaceful polls and avoid the 2007/2008 situation of post-election skirmishes.

‘The US has set aside $25million to support Kenya’s 2017 polls. We want to support your electoral processes and strengthen your operations. The US is a neutral country and does not hold favour or bias against any political party in Kenya,’ advised Kerry.

Secretary Kerry leaves Kenya on Tuesday morning and will be headed to Nigeria in his bid to continue his counter terrorism mission in Africa.

He is expected to hold bilateral talks with Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari and they will both deliberate on issues on fighting Boko Haram militants found in the latter’s country as well as other West African States.