Kenya and Iraq sign deal to boost training of diplomats

Director of Foreign Service Academy of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Amb. Simon Nabukwesi (second right) signs an MoU in Nairobi with visiting Dean of Iraqi Foreign Service Institute Amb. Adel Mustafa Kamil (second left) to boost training of diplomats in both countries. Looking on is Iraqi Embassy in Nairobi Charge D’Affaires Mr. Mohammed Husham Al Fityan.

Kenya and Iraq have signed an agreement to share expertise to boost the training of diplomats in both countries.

The Memorandum of Understanding signed in Nairobi on Monday is the first agreement between Kenya and Iraq for the last 35 years signaling growing ties.

The last agreement was in 1980 when the two countries signed a deal to boost economic, scientific, cultural and technical cooperation.

Following the MoU, Kenya and Iraq are expected to start sharing experts, trainees and courses for training of diplomats as well as the latest teaching methods and research in the field so as to produce qualified diplomats for their respective foreign missions. 

The two countries will also develop joint training courses for diplomats, including basic and specialised courses.

“The major object of this cooperation  is to develop and propose modern methods of training specialists in the fields of foreign policy, international relations, political science and other relevant fields,” reads the MoU.

Director of Foreign Service Academy of the Foreign Ministry Amb. Simon Nabukwesi signed the MoU with visiting Dean of Iraqi Foreign Service Institute Amb. Adel Mustafa Kamil.

 “We hope it will be on this basis that Kenya and Iraq will build on to strengthen their bilateral relations in different sectors,” said the envoy.

The visiting envoy said both countries seek to tap into each other’s experiences and accumulated academic knowledge in diplomacy and international relations.

He said the MoU on training diplomats is the first one Iraq has signed with any country in Eastern Africa, underscoring the weight they attach to Kenya’s diplomatic, political and economic clout in the continent.  The MoU is valid for the next six years.

The visiting diplomat said Kenya and Iraq share the same challenge posed by terrorism and should share their experiences in order to combat the threat more effectively.

Iraq is currently battling ISIS, which controls a section of its territory, while Kenya is battling against Al Shabaab

“Members of ISIS come from more than 100 countries and we need a global stand against violent extremism. Countries should have a common stand instead of working individually to combat terrorism,” he said.

Currently, Iraq is seeking to ink the MoU with Kenya to enhance cooperation in the security sector to combat terrorism. The agreement is still under consideration by Kenya which established diplomatic relations with Iraq in 1967