French President Emmanuel Macron praised Kenyan President William Ruto for his successful co-hosting of the Africa Forward Summit, which concluded yesterday.
Macron expressed gratitude to his “dear brother William,” acknowledging the boldness it took for Ruto to accept the offer to co-chair and organize such an important summit. He emphasized that Ruto not only accepted this challenging role but also excelled in delivering a remarkable event.
In his vote of thanks, Macron began with a warm greeting in Kiswahili: “Nairobi niaje? Mko poa?” He continued to commend Ruto for his significant contributions to the summit’s success.
“I want to thank my brother Ruto for his courageous decision to co-chair the Africa Forward Summit. He accepted the challenge, and he truly delivered,” Macron stated.
The French leader also expressed appreciation for the hospitality of the Kenyan people, highlighting how it created a welcoming atmosphere for all attendees. He acknowledged various groups, including artists, entrepreneurs, and sportspeople, for their roles in making the event memorable.
“I want to extend my gratitude to the President of Kenya, his government, the organizing team, and the French teams. Together, you have created something truly unique at the Africa Forward Summit,” he remarked.
In his welcome to Macron, President Ruto characterized him as a valued friend of Kenya, inviting him to visit whenever he wishes.
“We are very proud to be part of this event, Emmanuel. Thank you for visiting us. You are always welcome in Kenya, and you have shown that you are our friend,” Ruto expressed.
During the summit held on Monday and Tuesday, leaders endorsed a declaration titled “Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnership for Growth and Innovation.” This document serves as a comprehensive framework aimed at transforming relationships into actionable collaborations based on mutual respect, shared responsibility, and co-development.
The declaration reaffirms the principles and objectives outlined in the African Union Constitutive Act, emphasizing the importance of unity, peace, security, good governance, democratic elections, and cooperation among member states.
Additionally, it advocates for support of African-led solutions to peace and security through the African Union’s Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719. This resolution aims to enhance partnerships between the United Nations and the African Union, focusing on collaborative planning, decision-making processes, and sustainable financing for AU-led operations.
