Kenya Airways to resume direct flights to Angola in March

President William Ruto (left) with his Angolan counterpart João Lourenço. [PCS]

Kenya and Angola will collaborate to resume Kenya Airways' direct flights to Luanda starting in March, Presidents William Ruto and João Lourenço announced on Wednesday in Luanda.

 The announcement followed a meeting at the Angolan presidential palace, where the leaders discussed enhancing diplomatic and economic ties.

Angola also plans to waive visa requirements for Kenyans, reciprocating a similar move by Kenya.

“This move will enable our professionals like teachers to access Angola much more easily,” said Ruto.

The discussions extended to regional and continental issues, including peace in the Great Lakes region, African Union (AU) institutional reforms, and the AU Commission chairperson election set for next month.

Ruto, mandated by African heads of state to lead AU reforms, invited Lourenço for a retreat in Kenya later this month ahead of the AU Heads of State Summit in February.

Regarding the Luanda Process for Peace in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the two leaders called for a joint meeting between the Southern African Development Community and the East African Community to consolidate efforts.

“Peace and security in our continent is of paramount importance to us all, and we are keen to have a process that incorporates all and ensure its success,” Ruto explained.

Ruto also sought Lourenço’s support for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's bid for the AU Commission chairperson position.

The Kenyan delegation included Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Governors Anne Waiguru and Gladys Wanga, Mandera Senator Ali Roba, and Kinangop MP Kwenya Thuku.

Ruto had arrived in Luanda from Accra, Ghana, after attending President John Mahama's inauguration.