Burundi–Kenya relations
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Burundi–Kenya relations are bilateral relations between Burundi and Kenya. Burundi is a partner of Kenya in many areas, particularly trade, security (military), education, agriculture and energy. In 2011, both countries signed a comprehensive bilateral agreement to promote development and technology transfer in agriculture, livestock and fisheries development between them.
Overview
[edit]During the Burundian ethnic clashes, a significant number of Burundians took up refuge in Kenya. Burundi, along with Kenya, is one of the Swahili-speaking states in the African Great Lakes region.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/East_African_Community_heads_of_state.jpg/400px-East_African_Community_heads_of_state.jpg)
In September 2007, Kenya opened a resident mission in Bujumbura.
The Presidents of Burundi and Kenya have on multiple occasions made state visits to each other's country.
On 1 July 2007, Burundi became a full member of the East African Community (EAC).[citation needed]
Additionally, Burundi joined the EAC Customs Union on 6 July 2009. It has since then has been a strategic partner in terms of customs and trade integration.
Development cooperation
[edit]Kenyan firms have operations in Burundi. Some of which are Kenya Airways, Kenya Commercial Bank (Burundi) and Diamond Trust Bank.[1]
Under current and previous programmes the Kenyan government has on multiple occasions helped build the capacity of Burundi government officials in major state and transport organs. These include:
- Students have undergone training in Kenya at the expense of Kenya Port Authority.[1]
- OBR staffs had been trained by the Kenya Revenue Authority.
- Burundi Defence Force have undergone training at the Kenya Military Institute.
- Staffs of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Burundi) have been trained in Kenya at the Institute of Diplomacy.
Both countries have also signed the following BTAs and MoUs:[1]
- Agreement on Promotion and Protection of Investments signed in February 2009
- Agreement on Bilateral Air services (BASA)
- MoU on Defence matters
- MoU on Cooperation in Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries done in November 2011
- MoU on High Education, Science and Technology
- MoU to modernise the Bujumbura Port by the Mombasa Port
Additionally, EAC countries are working on building a standard gauge railway link that would go through Mombasa-Nairobi-Kampala-Kigali. The line could be extended to Bujumbura in the future. Works began on the Kenyan section of the rail line in December 2014.
Diplomatic missions
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c Bilateral trade agreement between Burundi and the Republic of Kenya. (PDF) February 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2015.