President Joe Biden is poised to announce the designation of Kenya as a major non-NATO ally, a groundbreaking move that underscores the country’s growing influence on the global stage and deepens the strategic ties between the United States and Africa. This declaration is set to be made during Kenyan President William Ruto’s state visit to Washington, D.C., which commenced on Wednesday.
This announcement marks a historic moment, as Kenya will become the first sub-Saharan African nation to receive such a designation, joining a distinguished list of 18 other countries including Israel, Brazil, and Australia. The status of a major non-NATO ally offers Kenya access to a range of military and economic benefits, from being a candidate for U.S.-owned war reserve stockpiles to eligibility for loans related to cooperative research and defense projects.
“This is also big because it’s the first major non-NATO ally for us in sub-Saharan Africa,” a senior administration official noted, emphasizing the significance of this decision. The move is seen as a recognition of Kenya’s substantial contributions to counterterrorism efforts and its leadership role in the deployment of a multinational force to Haiti.
The state visit by President Ruto is the first by an African leader in nearly two decades. “This is the first state visit by an African head of state in nearly 20 years. It is long overdue,” Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters, reflecting the administration’s intent to rejuvenate U.S. ties with the African continent in the face of increasing influence from Russia and other global powers.
Biden’s decision to extend this honor to Kenya can be viewed through multiple lenses, including strategic, economic, and symbolic. Strategically, Kenya has long been a reliable partner in U.S. counterterrorism operations in East Africa. The country’s active role in leading the multinational police force to Haiti further illustrates its commitment to international security efforts. “We’re focused right now on getting it right and making sure the Kenyans have what they need,” an administration official said, highlighting the collaborative efforts between the two nations.
Economically, the state visit aims to foster deeper ties in various sectors, notably in technology and energy. On Wednesday, President Biden and President Ruto met with leaders from the tech industry to discuss collaborations in areas like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation is slated to announce $250 million in new investments in Kenya, expanding its portfolio to over $1 billion.
In addition, the White House has indicated that discussions will cover pressing issues such as debt relief and climate change. “Together we will call to the international community to come together around these elements to support high-ambition countries with high-ambition financial support,” the White House said in a statement, outlining the agenda for the bilateral talks.
The designation of Kenya as a major non-NATO ally also serves as a symbolic gesture of renewed American engagement with Africa. President Biden, who hosted a summit with African leaders in 2022, has underscored the importance of the continent in global affairs. Despite not having visited Africa himself yet, Biden has promised to make the trip in February 2025, should he secure a second term.
Kenya’s burgeoning tech scene, often referred to as “Silicon Savannah,” will also be a focal point of the visit. The nation’s $1 billion technology hub is home to over 200 startups, spanning sectors such as clean energy, financial technology, and e-commerce. This dynamic environment has attracted significant interest from U.S. companies looking to invest and collaborate.
Moreover, the state visit will be capped by an elegant gala hosted by the Bidens, featuring performances by the Howard Gospel Choir and country star Brad Paisley. First lady Jill Biden described the event as “an elegant dinner under the stars, in a pavilion made almost entirely of glass, looking up at our one sky.”
Relevant articles:
– US expected to designate Kenya as major non-NATO ally, source says, Stripes, 05/23/2024
– Biden will name Kenya a major non-NATO ally during state visit, NPR, 05/23/2024
– US to designate Kenya as ‘non-NATO ally’ during Ruto’s state visit, Al Jazeera English, 05/23/2024
– US expected to designate Kenya as major non-NATO ally, The Hill, 05/23/2024
Glad you enjoyed above story, be sure to follow TrendyDigests on Microsoft Start.