NAIROBI, Kenya
The United Nations will evacuate family members of international staff from war-torn Ethiopia, according to an official document seen by AFP on Tuesday, as rebels claim to be advancing closer to the capital.
An
internal UN security order asked the organisation to "co-ordinate the
evacuation and ensure that all eligible family members of internationally
recruited staff depart from Ethiopia no later than 25 November 2021".
South
Africa and Kenya signed several cooperation agreements and a Memoranda of
Understanding on Tuesday in the South African capital of Pretoria intended to
further bolster ties.
Kenyan
President Uhuru Kenyatta is in South Africa on a two-day visit. Kenyatta and
host Cyril Ramaphosa witnessed as their ministers signed agreements on
diplomatic consultations and diplomatic training and tourism.
They
will also cooperate in migration matters; return of nationals refused entry and
illegal entrants; health; transport-related matters and bilateral air services,
among others.
Kenya,
East Africa’s largest economy, is South Africa’s largest trading partner in
Africa, apart from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc.
South
Africa exported goods worth 7.5 billion rand ($474 million) to Kenya in 2020
against imports of 329.5 million rand ($20 million) from Kenya.
Kenyatta
and Ramaphosa agreed that as partners and strong advocates of Pan-Africanism
and intra-Africa trade, South Africa and Kenya ought to set the example by
increasing the volume and composition of bilateral trade as well as investing
more in each other’s economies.
The
two leaders acknowledged the recently signed Strategic Partnership Framework
between South African Airways and Kenya Airways which will ultimately
facilitate more trade and investment and enhance people-to-people exchanges
between the two countries and ultimately, the region and beyond.
There
are more than 60 South African companies operating in Kenya, with investments
in financial services, real estate, food and beverages, entertainment services
and the hospitality sector.
Regarding
the continent, the two leaders discussed political developments, particularly
unfolding events in Ethiopia and Sudan.
Ramaphosa
said his country supported Kenya’s election for the non-permanent presidency of
the United Nations Security Council 2021-2022 and looks forward to working with
Nairobi in addressing security issues on the continent.
He
said South Africa is most alarmed by the conflict in Ethiopia and there is an
urgent need for both sides to reach a cease-fire and find a lasting solution.
Kenyatta
said his meeting with Ramphosa will strengthen relations.
He
announced his country will soon start producing coronavirus vaccines and he
will be visiting the Aspen Pharmacare facility Wednesday in South Africa —
seeking possible cooperation.
Aspen
Pharmacare currently manufactures and distributes vaccines and other
pharmaceuticals for a global market under international standards.
Kenyatta
will also visit an engineering plant to see South Africa’s capability in the
supply and maintenance of rail-related technology.
The
two leaders addressed the South Africa-Kenya Business Forum that was held to
further explore new areas of economic, trade and investment cooperation.
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