At the invitation of H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa, paid a historic State Visit to Kenya from 10-12 October, 2016. H.E. President Zuma was accompanied by a delegation consisting of six Ministers, senior officials and a business delegation.

During the visit, aimed at further strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation between Kenya and South Africa, the two Heads of State held substantive and fruitful discussions on issues of common interest at bilateral, regional and international levels. The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the excellent cooperation that exists between the two countries. In this regard, the two leaders witnessed the signing of the following Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding:

• MoU for Cooperation between Kenya Investment Authority, and Investment South Africa;

• MOU on Police Cooperation;

• Agreement on  Visa Exemption for Passport Holders of Diplomatic and Ordinary/Service Passports;

• MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Biodiversity, Conservation and Management;

• Agreement on Defence Cooperation.

• Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Kenya and the Government of the Republic of South Africa concerning the development and implementation of LAPSSET Corridor Projects in the Republic of Kenya

Desirous of further strengthening and elevating the status of bilateral relations between the two countries, the two leaders directed that negotiations towards the establishment of a Special Status Agreement be commenced between their respective Ministries responsible for Foreign Affairs. It was noted that once instituted, the Special Status Agreement will form the basis for the establishment of a Bi-National Commission.

The two leaders, while noting with satisfaction the vibrant trade relations between the two countries, acknowledged that there remained an immense untapped potential to expand, both in value and volume terms, the scale of two countries’ commercial relations. In this regard, the leaders agreed to progressively remove all barriers to trade between the two countries.

The two leaders addressed the Joint Kenya-South Africa Business Forum which brought together leading Kenyan and South African business representatives and witnessed the signing of MoU for Cooperation between Kenya Investment Authority, Export Promotion Council and Trade-Invest South Africa.

Acknowledging that free movement of people was a pre-requisite for enhancing Economic ties, the two Presidents directed their respective Ministers responsible for immigration matters to resolve all outstanding immigration issues. The two leaders further acknowledged the positive steps taken by both sides in this area and the immigration concessions made by the South African Government that included: a three year multiple entry visa for frequent travelers; a ten year multiple entry visa for frequent business travelers; a ten year multiple entry visa for Academics holding African passports; decrease of VFS service fees from $71 to $49; issuing of study visa for the duration of study; offering permanent residence to graduates studying within the critical skills category; removal of transit visas for travelers transiting through South African Airports.

The need for the expeditious implementation of these areas already agreed upon was emphasized.

The two leaders further noted that the ultimate goal in this regard, is to work towards achieving a Visa-free status.

The two principals reaffirmed their commitment to the attainment of Africa’s Agenda 2063 and reiterated their commitment to working together in promoting peace and security in the Continent and to work even more closely to find sustainable resolutions to ongoing conflicts in Africa.

As the African Union Commission prepares to elect a Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and Commissioners in Addis Ababa in January 2017, the two leaders agreed on the need to ensure that the most suitable candidates for all the positions, that will protect the interests of the continent and fast track the implementation of Agenda 2063, are appointed. In this regard, H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta requested for the support of South Africa for the candidature of Amb. Amina Mohamed, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, as the next Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

The two leaders, while noting that terrorism continued to pose a serious threat to the peace and stability in the region, and on the continent agreed to broaden the two countries’ counterterrorism partnership, including in new areas such as cyber security, the financing of terrorism and stemming radicalization.

Recalling with pride the two countries’ strong cooperation on multilateral issues, as exemplified by collective efforts that resulted in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the Sustainable Development Goals, and taking into account the importance of the forth-coming United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Development (Habitat III), scheduled in Ecuador later this month, the two leaders agreed to continue working closely to rally other countries to support the common African position.

The two leaders reiterated their shared position on the need to reform multilateral institutions including the United Nations Security Council and the Bretton Woods institutions to better represent the interests of the developing countries.

H.E. President Zuma expressed his deep appreciation, and that of his delegation, for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation.

H.E. President Jacob Zuma invited H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta to pay a reciprocal State Visit to South Africa at a date to be agreed through diplomatic channels. H.E. the President of the Republic of Kenya graciously accepted the invitation.

Issued at Nairobi, Republic of Kenya