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Agence France-Presse

A diplomatic upgrade and a surprise appearance by Barack Obama: US President Joe Biden pulled out the stops as he hosted Kenyan counterpart William Ruto for a lavish state visit aimed at competing with Russia and China for influence in Africa.
At a gala dinner in a large pavilion set up on the White House lawn, Biden praised “the belief in freedom, democracy, dignity and equality” that he shared with Ruto, the first African leader to receive a Washington state visit in 15 years.
Biden matched pomp with a string of deals on security, climate and debt – and delivered an Irish-inspired toast in honour of his guest.
“Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand,” Biden said.

For his part, Ruto praised the “enduring bonds of friendship, partnership and solidarity between Kenya and the United States”.
Former president Barack Obama, whose father was Kenyan, made a brief surprise appearance at the start of the gala, where 500 guests dined on beef and lobster and enjoyed performances by a gospel choir and country star Brad Paisley.
Earlier in the day, Biden announced a plan to make Kenya the first major non-Nato ally in sub-Saharan Africa, saying it was the “fulfilment of years of collaboration” against Islamic State and al-Shabab jihadists in Somalia.
The move will see Kenya join 18 other such allies including Israel, Brazil and Ukraine, boosting military and diplomatic links, although without a formal security pact.
Biden also thanked Kenya for agreeing to lead an upcoming international police mission to Haiti, where months of gang violence have left the tiny Caribbean nation on America’s doorstep in a political and humanitarian crisis.
Ruto said that “in Joe Biden, Kenya and Africa have a strong and committed friend”.

The Kenyan president’s visit comes as the United States and ally France are on the back foot in Africa, where massive Chinese investments and aggressive use by Russia of shadowy paramilitary groups are changing the geopolitical balance.
Biden and Ruto repeatedly stressed common “democratic values” and their desire to share leadership on issues of climate change, political instability and debt distress.
The two leaders also issued a “joint vision statement” on reducing the mounting debts of developing countries and the handicap it represents for African countries trying to grow their economies.
The 81-year-old US president further welcomed Ruto’s “mutual support” for Ukraine, which is one of the current 18 non-Nato allies and is receiving Western military aid as it battles Russia’s invasion.
But as with any state visit to the White House – Biden has hosted the leaders of Japan and Australia in the last eight months alone – the symbolism was as important as the deliverables.
The two leaders posed with US first lady Jill Biden and Ruto’s wife Rachel on the White House balcony, strolled through the famed colonnades and shook hands ahead of their talks in the Oval Office.

Biden held a major summit for African leaders in 2022, but he has not made good on promises to visit the continent as president.
The Democrat, who faces a tight rematch against Donald Trump in November’s US presidential election, quipped on Wednesday when Ruto arrived that “I plan on going in February after I’m reelected”.
Africa has often been on the back burner for US diplomats but the continent now presents a growing headache in Washington.
Russia has established new footholds – most recently in Niger, where the United States has agreed to withdraw its 1,000 troops, while Russian troops come in.
The United States also faces competition from China, which has pumped billions in infrastructure money into Africa for the past two decades.
Ruto’s White House visit meanwhile represents a major turnaround for the Kenyan, who was previously accused by the International Criminal Court of crimes against humanity over violence after Kenya’s 2007-8 election.
The case was dropped after the prosecutor complained of a campaign of witness intimidation.


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Africa

Biden woos Kenya’s Ruto with major ally status, lavish state dinner

Kenya’s President William Ruto and US President Joe Biden were accompanied by first ladies Jill Biden and Rachel Ruto. Photo: AFP

Kenya’s President William Ruto speaks before offering a toast. Photo: AP

Former US president Barack Obama and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Photo: Reuters

Kenya’s President William Ruto exchanges a toast with US President Joe Biden. Photo: AP

US expected to designate Kenya as major non-Nato ally as Biden hosts Ruto in state visit

Kenyan President William Ruto visiting US President Joe Biden at the White House. Photo: Reuters

Kenya’s President William Ruto and US President Joe Biden. Photo: AP

A media preview showing dishes for the state dinner. Photo: EPA-EFE

Russian troops enter Niger airbase housing US military

Protesters demanding US soldiers leave Niger in Niamey last month. Photo: AP

Russian military unloading equipment in Niamey, Niger, on April 10. Photo: RTN via AP

Niger’s junta has told the US to withdraw its nearly 1,000 military personnel from the country. File photo: AP

China should look to Africa to counter overcapacity claims from the West, Africa Finance Corporation chief says

Samaila Zubairu, chief executive of the Africa Finance Corporation, says Africa is “open and ready to do business with anybody that wants to do business”. Photo: Bloomberg

China’s trade surplus with Africa was more than US$47 billion in 2022. Photo: AFP

Africa keen for more Chinese development finance, despite economically bumpy road towards FOCAC summit

African diplomats are keen for more concessional lending from China for infrastructure projects, but with China’s economy still struggling, it is uncertain if the finance will return to pre-pandemic levels. Photo: AFP

At the FOCAC summit held in 2021, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged Covid vaccines – but not as much financing as in previous summits. Photo: Xinhua

News

World

United States & Canada

US designates Kenya as a non-Nato ally as Joe Biden hosts William Ruto in Washington
Kenya’s president is the first African leader to receive a state visit in the US since 2008


US President Joe Biden pulled out the stops as he hosted Kenyan counterpart William Ruto for a lavish state visit aimed at competing with Russia and China for influence in Africa.


Biden woos Kenya’s Ruto with major ally status, lavish state dinner

US designates Kenya as a non-Nato ally as Joe Biden hosts William Ruto in Washington Kenya’s president is the first African leader to receive a state visit in the US since 2008

US designates Kenya as a non-Nato ally as Joe Biden hosts William Ruto in Washington

Kenya’s president is the first African leader to receive a state visit in the US since 2008