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Ruto calls for enhanced collaborations to tackle emerging global challenges

President William Ruto at the Carter Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, US on May 20, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

By Mary Wambui | Tuesday, May 21, 2024

The President used the opportunity to make a case for Kenya's decision to engage in security and peace missions across the globe including the current Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti whose deployment is underway.

President William Ruto has called for enhanced inter-state collaborations in efforts towards alleviating challenges affecting the continent and the world at large.

Speaking at his first engagement at the Carter Centre in Atlanta, the President said it is through strategic partnerships with other countries that many will be able to overcome the challenges they are currently facing.

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He cited the war in Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East, the fighting in Sudan, South Sudan, Eastern DRC, the Sahel, and terrorism in Somalia as challenges that all demand greater collaboration and strategic global leadership.

"Through strong partnerships with countries like the US, we are actively fighting global terrorism, violent extremism, and transnational crimes such as piracy, human trafficking, and drug trafficking, significantly contributing to a safer and freer world," said the President who is on a four day-state visit to America.

At the centre, President Ruto had been invited to discuss democracy and the need for collaboration to tackle global challenges.

Global Democracy Partnership, Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, Atlanta. https://t.co/b8F8P7nC0N
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) May 20, 2024

Haiti mission

He used the opportunity to make a case for Kenya's decision to engage in security and peace missions across the globe including the current Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti whose deployment is underway.

"Following UN Security Council Resolution 2699 of 2023, we are leading the Multinational Security Support Mission, driven by our firm belief that the responsibility to support Haiti lies with all nations and peoples who value self-determination, freedom, peace and democracy," he said.

He then reiterated his call for reforms of international financial institutions to enable countries to recover from their debt distress and mitigate against the effects of modern-day challenges.

"Many countries are in economic and debt distress caused by climate change and compounded by an unjust international financial architecture and an imperfect multilateralism associated with the free market economy," he said.

"We now run the escalating risk of democracy and free market being associated with poverty and suffering, lending credence to the widespread lamentation that democracy is or has been on the retreat in many parts of the world, including Africa."

The President is expected to speak more about the need for a more just international financial architecture during his engagement with members of the US Congress during his US trip.

On Tuesday, he is amongst others scheduled to visit the Tyler Perry studios, launch a Kenyan textile store and sign an investment deal with soft drink manufacturer Coca-Cola.

He meets with his host, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill on Thursday for bilateral meetings at the White House and a state dinner thereafter.