What US President-elect Joe Biden discussed with Kenyatta on the phone

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 1- United States President-elect Joe Biden on Monday said he will collaborate with Kenya in tackling some of the major challenges facing the world such as climate change.

Biden made the commitment during a phone call with President Uhuru Kenyatta – who offered his congratulatory message on Tuesday.

Also, in the list of ‘must-do’ once he assumes office next year in January 20, 2021 after taking the oath of office, Biden said, he will help Kenya to continue supporting refugees as well as their host communities.

He also said he will assist in addressing challenges of regional security and instability.

“The president-elect offered his gratitude for President Kenyatta’s congratulations and expressed his appreciation for the strong and lasting ties between our two countries,” the Biden transition team said in a statement.

Due to its strategic position and stability, Kenya is a critical and integral global player more so in ensuring peace in the region.

Kenya Defence Forces are involved in a peace mission in Somalia – The horn of Africa nation has battled a civil war for decades, effects of which have spilled into Kenya and other countries across the region.

The biggest threat to stability for Somalia as it is for Kenya is the terror threat posed by the Al-Shabaab.

The United States through the Stuttgart-based United States Africa Command is involved in facilitating assignments in the ongoing peace mission in Somalia.

Recently, U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command, was joined by acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller on a multi-day trip that kicked of on November 25 to 27, to Djibouti and Somalia.

While there, senior defense officials received a firsthand overview of U.S. Africa Command’s operations in East Africa and recognized U.S. service members over the Thanksgiving holiday. 

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Townsend continued on to an outpost in Somalia to recognize U.S. service members.

“We enjoy close cooperation with our East African partners. Partnership and a range of U.S. assistance remain critically important to the stability, security, and prosperity of this region,” said Townsend.

“We must continue to work together and deliver whole-of-government, international, and African solutions to address regional issues.”