Bourita, Kenya PM Inaugurate Country's First Embassy in Rabat
Doha – Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Kenyan Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi inaugurated Kenya's first embassy in Rabat on Monday. This is set to be the country's third diplomatic mission in North Africa, after Algeria and Egypt. The celebration also marks the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
'This inauguration opens a new chapter in our bilateral relations,' Bourita stated during the ceremony. He noted the embassy would serve as a 'bridge' for future partnership between the two nations.
Mudavadi asserted the new diplomatic mission 'offers both countries the opportunity to strengthen cooperation and exchange expertise in various domains.' The Kenyan diplomat also reaffirmed his country's support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan for the Western Sahara.
The diplomatic normalization process began in September 2022 when Kenyan President William Ruto signaled an end to Kenya's decades-long recognition of the fictitious 'Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic' (SADR). Kenya previously hosted the separatist Polisario Front's self-proclaimed president, Brahim Ghali, and maintained a bogus Sahrawi mission in Nairobi.
Relations accelerated rapidly afterward. In March 2023, Kenya's foreign affairs secretary made the first official visit to Rabat. By December 2023, Kenyan senators formally called on their government to open an embassy in Morocco.
The relationship continued to strengthen in 2024. In March, Jessica Muthoni Gakinya became Kenya's first ambassador to Morocco. She presented her credentials to Bourita on August 30 of the same year.
During today's visit, the two officials signed four memorandums of understanding. These agreements cover habitat, urbanism, youth, services, trade, and diplomatic training. Bourita announced the creation of a joint cooperation commission before year's end, complemented by an economic forum uniting business leaders from both nations.
'The Moroccan-Kenyan partnership should extend to strategic sectors including phosphates, fertilizers, and renewable energy,' Bourita said. He stressed that 'Morocco considers Kenya an essential actor in Africa.'
Both ministers foregrounded the importance of political consultations within international forums. These consultations aim to align viewpoints on subjects of common interest, following principles of peace preservation and respect for state sovereignty.
Kenya's official stance on the Sahara issue was formalized in a joint statement: 'The Republic of Kenya considers the autonomy plan as the only sustainable approach for resolving the Sahara issue and intends to cooperate with like-minded states to promote its implementation.'
The statement added that Kenya 'welcomes the growing international consensus and the momentum led by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in favor of the autonomy plan presented by the Kingdom of Morocco.'
Mudavadi said Kenya follows with great interest Morocco's major diplomatic initiatives. He particularly praised those 'initiated by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, which deserve attention and support to achieve peaceful solutions to tensions and conflicts on the African continent.'
The prime minister called the Moroccan economy 'emerging' and 'a leader on the continent.' He commended Morocco's support for African integration mechanisms like the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Morocco announced it would offer electronic visas to Kenyan citizens, reciprocating Kenya's similar policy for Moroccans. Rabat also pledged support for Nairobi, the headquarters of UN Environment, to host the next international conference on plastic pollution. Tags: morocco kenyaNasser Bourita
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