President Boakai Holds High-Level Talks With Ruto, Ouattara in Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. on Sunday held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with Kenyan President William Ruto and Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, with discussions centered on regional security, governance, economic cooperation, and Africa’s development agenda.
The meetings took place on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, where African leaders are gathering to discuss key continental challenges and opportunities.
During talks with President Ruto, both leaders explored areas of cooperation between Liberia and Kenya, including energy infrastructure, tourism, education, technology, and youth empowerment.
President Ruto emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration among African leaders to advance sustainable growth and create opportunities for young people across the continent.
He also highlighted the significance of the upcoming G7 Summit, expected later this year, as an important platform for discussions on global governance, concessional financing, reform of the United Nations Security Council, and restructuring the global financial system to better serve developing nations.
The Kenyan leader further stressed the need for Africa to engage the international community on pressing issues such as climate change, climate financing, artificial intelligence, and information and communication technology.
In response, President Boakai thanked President Ruto for the engagement and reaffirmed the importance of African unity amid evolving global challenges.
He noted that African countries must work together to harness the continent’s human and natural resources to drive economic transformation and sustainable development.
In a separate meeting with President Ouattara, discussions focused heavily on peace and security within the Mano River Union subregion, particularly ongoing border tensions affecting Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone.
President Boakai briefed the Ivorian leader on developments surrounding the Sorlumba crossing point and concerns over border stability in the region.
Both leaders expressed concern about the impact of the border situation on regional integration and economic cooperation, noting that several development initiatives within the Mano River Union have stalled due to instability along the borders.
The two Presidents agreed on the need for stronger diplomatic engagement to address the situation and restore stability in the subregion.
They also endorsed the idea of convening a regional summit to address the growing challenges affecting cross-border cooperation and regional development.
President Ouattara proposed that a ministerial-level meeting be held ahead of the regional summit to assess the border crises and recommend practical solutions aimed at ensuring lasting peace and stability.
The leaders also discussed the growing threat of terrorism and insecurity across West Africa and reaffirmed their commitment to working with regional and international partners to preserve peace, democratic governance, and economic stability in the subregion.
President Boakai further updated President Ouattara on Liberia’s democratic progress and ongoing governance reforms.
The bilateral engagements underscored Liberia’s continued efforts to strengthen regional partnerships, promote peace and security, and support African-led solutions to continental challenges.
