Kenya, South Africa to strengthen ties

Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed speaks, during a Reuters interview in capital Nairobi April 7, 2015. Kenya needs more help from its U.S. and European allies with intelligence and security measures to help prevent further massacres by Somali militants, Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed told Reuters on Tuesday. Picture taken April 7, 2015 [PHOTO/REUTERS]

Kenya and South Africa will in the next two weeks enter a Joint Commission of Co-operation (JCC) that will see the two countries take their relationship to the next level.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his counterpart Jacob Zuma instructed the two foreign ministers to move with speed to ensure bilateral issues are addressed for the benefit of the people of the two countries.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed immediately consulted with her South African counterpart Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

"We have consulted and agreed to, in coming days, hold a JCC that will seek to promote political, economic and social co-operation between our two countries," said Ms Mohamed.

The two leaders also resolved to support initiatives that seek to ensure that peace prevails. To this end, they voiced their support for International Committee on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and East Africa Community's (EAC) efforts to restore peace in Burundi.

"South Africa supports the initiative by EAC and the resolutions arrived at Dar es Salaam Summit. I am going to Luanda tomorrow to attend ICGLR summit on the same subject matter," said President Zuma.

The leaders met at the Official Residence of the President of South Africa, Mahlamba Ndlopfu, in Pretoria.