The newly appointed Commander of the United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM), General Dagvin Anderson, on Wednesday, September 3, paid a visit to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Nairobi.
In a statement on Thursday, September 4, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) said upon his arrival he was accorded military honours, including a guard mounted by KDF, before being received by the Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF), General Charles Kahariri.
"On arrival, General Anderson was accorded military honours, including a guard mounted by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), before being received by the Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF), General Charles Kahariri at the Defence Headquarters," the statement read.
During the visit, the two military leaders held detailed discussions aimed at strengthening military partnerships.
"The two commanders held extensive discussions centered on enhancing military partnerships in the areas of regional security, counterterrorism, capacity building, professional military education, and joint operations," the statement added.
Read More
According to KDF, Anderson praised Kenya’s role in maintaining stability across the Horn of Africa.
"General Anderson commended Kenya for its steadfast role in promoting peace and stability across the Horn of Africa, particularly in countering violent extremism and supporting peacekeeping missions in the region. He noted that Kenya remains a critical partner for the United States in advancing shared security interests," the statement further read.
On the other hand, Kahariri reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to deepening international defence collaborations.
"On his part, General Kahariri welcomed the AFRICOM Commander and reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to working closely with the United States and other partners to strengthen peace and security across the continent. He highlighted Kenya’s ongoing defence modernization programmes and the importance of sustained international partnerships in addressing evolving security threats," the statement concluded.
The visit comes weeks after Kahariri held a meeting with former USAFRICOM Commander, General Michael Langley, during a visit to AFRICOM Headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany.
In a statement on Friday, August 15, KDF said the meeting reaffirmed the strategic partnership between Kenya and the United States in advancing peace, stability, and security across the Horn of Africa and its maritime domains.
According to the statement, Langley commended the KDF for their sustained contributions in peace support operations in Somalia.
He highlighted the importance of sustained multilateral cooperation and reaffirmed Kenya’s status as a critical strategic partner to the United States.
On his part, Kahariri thanked the United States Government and US AFRICOM for their steadfast support for regional stability.
At the same venue, Kahariri and Langley released the inaugural Joint Communiqué from the African Chiefs of Defense Conference (ACHOD).
The communiqué outlines five priority areas, including renewing and expanding security partnerships by enhancing coordination among regional organizations, civil society, the private sector, academia, and communities.
"This is more than a record of what was discussed. It is a shared commitment to move forward together, build on progress, and deliver results that strengthen security across Africa," Langley said.
On the other hand, Kahariri noted, "This communiqué focuses our collective energy. It identifies where we must act and where we can lead together."
