Kenya's Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF) General Charles Kahariri held high-level bilateral talks with the Commander of the United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM) General Michael Langley.
The meeting held on Thursday, August 14, at the AFRICOM Headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, underscored the enduring strategic partnership between Kenya and the US in advancing peace and stability in Africa.
During the meeting, General Langley commended the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) for their sustained contributions and sacrifices, particularly in peace support operations in Somalia.
He went ahead to highlight KDF's pivotal role in shaping regional security outcomes, particularly across the Horn of Africa and its maritime domains.
General Langley also reiterated the importance of sustained cooperation between Kenya and the US and reaffirmed Kenya’s status as a critical strategic partner to America.
On the other hand, General Kahariri thanked President Donald Trump's administration for its steadfast support of regional stability.
He, however, expressed concern over the recent drawdown of troops under the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), warning that it could undermine years of progress.
While noting that some troop contributing countries, including Kenya, entered bilateral arrangements with Somalia to temporarily bridge the gap, he stressed that such measures were unsustainable without enhanced international backing.
He urged the global community to renew and strengthen its commitment to the Somali peace process and broader Horn of Africa stability efforts.
At the meeting, the military chiefs agreed on several issues, including the renewal and expansion of security partnerships across Africa and globally.
They also agreed on inspiring Innovation against emerging threats, including leveraging technology to counter cyberattacks, environmental challenges, and disruptive tactics.
The duo also signed an agreement to professionalise military forces within Africa through enhancing multiagency operations and reinforcing civil-military relations.
