Ruto and Biden promise to uphold democracy in Africa and beyond

During a state visit to the White House on Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed Kenyan President William Ruto and promised new collaborations with him in the areas of technology, security, and debt relief. Ruto is the head of one of the strongest democracies in Africa.

Ruto’s journey to the White House marks the first state visit by an African president since 2008. It is a sign of the importance of a continent that supports close trading links with China, is home to a billion people, but is ranked lower on Washington’s agenda than the battles in Gaza and Ukraine.

Ruto was the special guest of honor at a sumptuous state dinner on Thursday night, which was attended by a diverse group of people, including NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, singer-songwriter Don McLean, CEOs of Pfizer (PFE.N) and Walmart (WMT.N), and former President Bill Clinton. Before the dinner, former President Barack Obama, whose father was from Kenya, gave a quick speech.

“Difference may separate us, but our shared democratic principles keep us together,” Biden remarked upon meeting Ruto on the White House South Lawn. In honor of 60 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations following Kenya’s independence, Biden reminisced about his own trips there as a young man.

Standing alongside Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and other cabinet members, Ruto declared, “My visit takes place at a time when democracy is perceived to be retreating worldwide.” He had held a private meeting in the Oval Office with Biden earlier.

“We agreed on the significant opportunity for the U.S. to radically recalibrate its strategy and strengthen its support for Africa,” Ruto stated. Biden declared that he will name Kenya as the first significant non-NATO ally from sub-Saharan Africa. That title is shared by Israel, Qatar, and sixteen other nations.

Nairobi and Washington work together to combat terrorism in Africa, maintain security in Haiti, and aid the Ukrainian people.

The president of Kenya arrived in the US on Monday, traveled to Atlanta, and on Wednesday, had a meeting with business leaders at the White House. At a U.S. Chamber of Commerce event on Friday, he will talk with Vice President Kamala Harris about digital inclusion in Africa.

Although Washington has struggled to forge strong relationships, successive U.S. administrations have stated that they wish to provide African nations with a more democratic and durable option to relations with China and Russia.

A wave of military takeovers, conflicts, and unreliable elections that have increased the power of China and Russia have altered the political landscape of the continent throughout the previous year. Seen as a democratic bastion, Biden believes closer ties with Kenya will help stabilize the continent and further American interests.

In a joint statement, the two presidents requested the warring parties in Sudan to grant humanitarian access to aid and consent to a truce, and they pledged to cooperate with the Somali government in its battle against terrorism.

SCIENCE AND HEALTH DEALS

The presidents unveiled a comprehensive strategy to reduce Kenya’s heavy debt load, the majority of which is owing to China, as well as new U.S.-backed investments in green energy and health products.

Through the U.S. International Development Finance Corp., the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation announced fresh investments totaling $250 million in Kenya. According to a U.S. government official, this includes $180 million for a significant affordable housing project, increasing the U.S. funding institution’s portfolio in Kenya to over $1 billion.

Together, the two presidents issued a plea to the international community to lessen the burdensome debt that developing nations bear and to increase aid to those nations that wish to invest in development and climate technologies.
They also urged the US Congress to approve a bill to extend the trade agreement between the US and Africa.

Another focal point was the humanitarian disaster in Haiti. According to sources who spoke to Reuters, Kenya had postponed sending 1,000 paramilitary soldiers to the Caribbean nation as part of a program supported by the United Nations to reduce gang violence and starvation.
In an announcement made on Wednesday, Biden informed reporters that, should the Democratic nominee defeat Republican front-runner Donald Trump, he intended to travel to Africa in February following the U.S. presidential election. Prior to this, Biden had promised to visit Africa in 2023.

The meal was served in a glass pavilion on the grounds of the White House, lighted by one thousand candles. There was smoked beef short ribs, butter-poached lobster, heirloom tomato soup, and a white chocolate dessert on the menu.

The meal will feature a performance by country music icon Brad Paisley and the Howard University Gospel Choir, two acts that honor Ruto’s love of music.