Biden Names Kenya Major Non-NATO Ally
By Boniface Ihiasota, USA
President Joe Biden has designated Kenya as a major non-NATO ally, marking the first time a sub-Saharan African country has received this status, Excel Magazine International can report.
Biden made the announcement during a three-day state visit by Kenyan President William Ruto.
Excel Magazine International had earlier reported that this visit is the first by an African leader to Washington in over 15 years, a period during which Russia and China have increased their influence across the continent.
In recent years, several governments in the Sahel region and Western Africa have experienced military coups, disrupting cooperation with Western nations.
The new designation will enable Nairobi to engage in closer security cooperation with Washington and access more advanced U.S. weaponry.
“This is the fulfillment of years of collaboration,” Biden said at a joint news conference with Ruto at the White House on Thursday.
Kenya has become a crucial security partner for the U.S. in East Africa and is a member of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group coalition, which coordinates efforts to arm Kyiv against Moscow.
The strengthening of the U.S.-Kenya alliance comes as Washington faces challenges in other parts of Africa.
The Pentagon recently confirmed a full withdrawal of approximately 1,000 troops from Niger by September, following the collapse of security cooperation there.
Niger has moved closer to Russia and Iran after a coup ousted its democratically elected president last year.
Washington has also expressed approval of Kenya’s recent pledge to send 1,000 police officers to Haiti.
Last year, Biden’s only call to a sub-Saharan African leader was to Ruto, discussing Nairobi’s commitment to lead a multinational force to the Caribbean nation.
“Our joint counterterrorism operations have degraded ISIS and Al-Shabaab across East Africa,” Biden said.
“Our mutual support for Ukraine has rallied the world to stand behind the UN charter. And our work together on Haiti is helping pave the way to reduce instability and insecurity.”
Ruto affirmed Kenya’s strong relationship with the U.S., stating that “Kenya and Africa have a strong and committed friend in President Biden.”
Once approved by the U.S. Congress, Kenya will become the 19th country to be named a major non-NATO ally.
