MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – Kenya and US governments have inked a five-year agreement to combat al-Shabaab fighters in East Africa.
The deal which jointly signed by Kenya Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd James Austin III will see Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) soldiers trained and provided with financial and technical assistance over the next five years.
“The US government deeply values our partnership with Kenya in countering Al Shabaab and is grateful to Kenya for its leadership in addressing security challenges in the region and around the world. I also want to thank the minister today for Kenya’s willingness to consider leading a multinational security assistance mission in Haiti,” Austin said at a press briefing in Nairobi yesterday.
Duale noted that the al-Shabaab is currently the largest terrorist group in East Africa.
“They are recruiting and radicalising young people for their own terrorist operations and within this framework we are working on the whole area of counterterrorism, our maritime security, peace and security in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region and how we can benefit from US defence technology and innovation,” he said.
He also noted that the cooperation will see Kenya’s contribution to peacekeeping missions globally supported by the US, aside from receiving training, technology, and innovation to enhance KDF’s capabilities.
“The framework places special emphasis on interoperability between our two militaries in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. Our ability to work together seamlessly is paramount and this cooperation will enable us to respond effectively to the ever-evolving security challenges in our region and beyond,” Duale said.
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