WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden welcomed Kenyan President William Ruto to the White House on Thursday for a state visit aimed at deepening relations with African nations, which have been sidelined by wars in Ukraine and Gaza, with a flurry of deal announcements.
"We may be divided by distance, but we are united by the same democratic values,” Biden said, noting that the two countries are celebrating a 60-year partnership this year.
"Today, as we begin the next decade of our partnership, we've launched a new initiative to bring our country's companies and communities closer together," he said.
Ruto responded, "Today, as we celebrate our past, we are optimistic about our future. By undertaking this state visit, we will have the opportunity to discuss and to have a conversation about building global partnership and leadership."
Ruto's trip is the first state visit for an African president to the White House since 2008. Successive US governments have said they wanted to offer a more sustainable and democratic alternative to relations with US rivals China and Russia, but have failed to establish real ties.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
