Nairobi: Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, officially inaugurated the Ministerial Segment of the Third Session of the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation (JPCC) in Nairobi. The session was co-chaired by Maria Manuela dos Santos Lucas, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Mozambique.
According to Kenya News Agency, the JPCC aims to assess the state of bilateral relations between Kenya and Mozambique, setting the stage for enhanced cooperation in key sectors. This meeting precedes an official visit to Kenya by Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo from March 24 to 26, 2026, upon the invitation of President William Ruto.
In his opening address, Mudavadi emphasized the enduring partnership between the two nations, rooted in historical, cultural, and interpersonal connections. He pointed to the recognition of the Makonde community as Kenya’s 43rd tribe in 2017 as a testament to the deep ties between the countries.
Mudavadi noted that the JPCC, established in 1991, continues to be the foundation of bilateral relations, offering a structured platform for dialogue, coordination, and advancing mutually beneficial initiatives across various sectors. He stressed the importance of effective and timely implementation of agreed commitments and called for accountability to achieve tangible results and measurable benefits for both nations.
He also urged technical teams to expedite existing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) through comprehensive monitoring and evaluation frameworks to maintain their relevance and effectiveness.
Ambassador Manuela dos Santos, in her remarks, praised the strengthening relations between Mozambique and Kenya, highlighting ongoing diplomatic engagement at high and technical levels, leading to the formalization of several cooperation agreements.
She acknowledged significant progress under the JPCC framework, including high-level exchanges and mutual support in regional and international forums, fostering enhanced collaboration and mutual respect. However, she emphasized the need to address implementation gaps and urged both parties to accelerate the execution of agreed commitments.
The session unfolded amidst global geopolitical uncertainties, with leaders noting the implications of rising energy prices, disrupted trade flows, and broader economic instability on African economies. Both sides underscored the need to speed up implementation, finalize pending legal instruments, and activate joint technical committees.
A significant focus was placed on expanding cooperation in the maritime and blue economy, youth affairs and sports, and energy, with both countries recognizing their strategic positions along the Indian Ocean and the sector’s potential for driving sustainable growth.
Kenya expressed interest in utilizing Mozambique’s natural resources, particularly natural gas, to enhance energy security and foster investment partnerships. Trade and investment promotion were also highlighted, with calls for stronger private sector engagement and the reduction of trade barriers.
The resumption of direct flights between Nairobi and Maputo was noted as a critical step toward enhancing trade, tourism, and interpersonal exchanges. However, logistical and operational challenges still require attention.
Beyond economic cooperation, both countries emphasized coordinated efforts to tackle shared security challenges, including terrorism and transnational threats, through strengthened regional collaboration. The discussions also focused on integrating joint responses to natural disasters into the partnership framework.
The session concluded positively, marked by the adoption of agreed minutes from the Senior Officials’ Segment. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to transitioning from dialogue to implementation by activating agreed mechanisms and advancing priority programs, with a focus on delivering tangible outcomes for their citizens.
