Uhuru Kenyatta gets special invite to French summit

By George Orido

Nairobi, Kenya: French President Francois Hollande has invited President Uhuru Kenyatta to the Traditional French Africa Summit scheduled for December 6 and 7 in the capital, Paris.

During the visit, President Uhuru is expected to shed light on the Somalia peace situation and the piracy problem along the East Africa coastline on the Indian Ocean.

The meeting to be held at the French President’s palace, Elysee Palais, would be attended by presidents from across the African continent.

“President Uhuru’s input will be crucial to the meeting because of the strategic position Kenya is at with respect to peace in Somalia and piracy on the Indian Ocean,” said outgoing French Ambassador to Kenya Etienne de Poncins.

Interest in security

He was speaking at the French residence in Nairobi during celebrations to mark Bastille Day. According to Mr de Poncins, French has taken a particular interest in the security of Africa, citing his country’s current involvement in Mali.

He also disclosed that Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Secretary Amb Amina Mohamed has been invited to Paris this October to strengthen the Kenya-French partnership signed between the two countries two years ago.

“We have done much in Kenya’s worthwhile partners in the past and we are ready to work with the new administration to do even better things,” he said.

Mr de Poncins left last night for France to take up a new position as head of the new European Union mission, EUCAP-Nestor.