The head of French diplomacy, Stéphane Séjourné, is in Nairobi, Kenya on Saturday. This is his first tour of sub-Saharan Africa since taking office in January. He will then go to Rwanda to represent France at the ceremonies marking the 30th anniversary of the genocide and then to Ivory Coast. In Nairobi, Stéphane Séjourné will meet with President William Ruto. He will also meet Kenyan students. Paris highlights a “reinforced dynamic” between the two countries.
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With our correspondent in Nairobi, Albane Thirouard
President Macron visited Kenya in 2019. Since then, the dynamic between the two countries has “ reinforced » confides a diplomatic source. The Kenyan head of state, William Ruto, has already visited Paris twice since his election in 2022.
A dynamic that can be observed in particular on environmental issues. Both countries are pushing for the creation of an international tax to help developing countries deal with climate change. A joint declaration is also expected this Saturday which should call for more financing for the climate.
The choice of Nairobi as the first stop on this first tour of sub-Saharan Africa also reflects France’s desire to show that the relationship with Africa does not stop at security issues, those around us explain. of the minister. The economic aspect will not be absent. Kenya already hosts 140 French companies, which employ more than 30,000 people and France is the 5th investor there.
Finally, France sees Kenya as an active diplomatic partner in the region, particularly in Sudan. While Paris will host on April 15 an international humanitarian conference on the war which has lasted there for almost a year.