France to Explore Business Opportunities with Kenya

Kenya and France have signed a defence cooperation agreement, marking the first of its kind held outside a Francophone country. The agreement was preceded by a joint training exercise between French troops and the Kenya Defence Forces in Mombasa. The partnership aims to enhance maritime security, intelligence, peacekeeping, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

The automatic five-year renewable deal includes partnerships in these areas, with France deploying 600 military personnel to Kenya for training purposes. The agreement grants French forces diplomatic-style immunity in Kenya, requiring disputes to be resolved through diplomatic channels rather than Kenyan courts.

Kenya has ratified defence cooperation agreements with several countries, including China, Zimbabwe, the Czech Republic, Ethiopia, and France. However, some critics have expressed concerns that this could lead to Kenya’s interests being subordinated to a neo-colonial power.

French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that African leaders in the Sahel region would not be sovereign today if the French army had not deployed in the region. Kenyan politician Nelson Koech has denied claims of immunity for French forces, stating that crimes like murder must be tried in Kenya.

The partnership between Kenya and France is seen as offering economic opportunities, infrastructure development, security cooperation, and increased international influence to both parties. For France, Kenya provides political stability, strategic access to the Western Indian Ocean, and potential investment opportunities.

Source: Al Jazeera