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Burundi–Kenya relations

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Kenya – Burundi relations

Kenya
Burundi

Kenya– Burundi relations are bilateral relations between Burundi and Kenya. Burundi is a strategic partner of Kenya in many areas, particularly trade, security (military), education, agriculture and energy. In 2011 both countries signed a comprehensive bilateral agreement to promote development and technology transfer in agriculture, livestock and fisheries development between them. [1]

Burundi maintains an embassy in Nairobi and Kenya in Bujumbura.

History

During the Burundian ethnic clashes,a significant number of Burundians took up refuge in Kenya. Burundi, along with Kenya, is considered to be one of the world's Swahili speaking states.

Kenya's resident mission in Bujumbura was opened in September 2007.

High Level Visits

President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi has on multiple occasions made state visits to Kenya. Former President Mwai Kibaki and Incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta have made state visits to Burundi.

Trade and Economy

FDI

Many Kenyan firms have operations in Burundi. Some of which are Kenya Airways, Kenya Commercial Bank (Burundi) and Diamond Trust Bank.[2]

Capacity Building

Under current and previous programmes the Kenyan government has on multiple occasions helped build the capacity of Burundi government officials in major state and transport organs. These include:

  • Students have undergone training in Kenya at the expense of Kenya Port Authority.[2]
  • OBR staffs had been trained by the Kenya Revenue Authority.
  • Burundi Defence Force have undergone training at the Kenya Military Institute.
  • Staffs of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Burundi) have been trained in Kenya at the Institute of Diplomacy.

Both countries have also signed the following BTAs and MoUs:[2]

  • Agreement on Promotion and Protection of Investments signed in February 2009
  • Agreement on Bilateral Air services (BASA)
  • MoU on Defence matters
  • MoU on Cooperation in Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries done in November,2011
  • MoU on High Education, Science and Technology
  • MoU to modernise the Bujumbura Port by the Mombasa Port

Infrastructure

EAC countries are working on building a standard gauge railway link that would go through Mombasa-Nairobi-Kampala-Kigali. The line could be extended to Bujumbura in the future. Works began on the Kenyan section of the rail line in December 2014.

EAC

On 1 July 2007 Burundi became a full member of the EAC.[1] Burundi joined the EAC Customs Union on 6th July 2009 and since then has been a strategic partner in terms of customs and trade integration.

AMISOM

Burundian troops along with Kenyan troops are part of AMISOM, charged with stabilising Somalia. This has seen a lot of military cooperation between both countries.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b [1]. Kenyan president seeks to boost bilateral ties with Burundi Retrieved on 7 January 2015.
  2. ^ a b c [2]. Bilateral trade agreement between Burundi and the Republic of Kenya Retrieved on 7 January 2015.
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