Kenya and South Africa on Tuesday formed a presidential taskforce tasked with addressing visa-related issues that bedevil the two countries and it will execute its mandate within six months.
This was announced by South African president Cyril Ramaphosa after signing eight cooperation agreements with Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta, who is on a three-day state visit to the country.
Ramaphosa says the taskforce will remove visa restrictions between Kenya and South Africa and will focus on travels by businesspeople, students and those seeking medical attention.
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“Those that can be addressed and solved immediately such as business travel, medical and students they should find solutions for and have those implemented; but in any event report to us within 6 months,” Ramaphosa said.
He acknowledged progress made in tourism and immigration and called for more measures to be taken to ease travel between the two countries to promote trade, tourism and culture.
In the meeting, Kenya and SA signed number of cooperation pacts and MOUs including in diplomatic consultation, air services, health, tourism, returns of nationals refused entry.
“After close to 30 years of diplomatic relations, the Kenya and South African partnership and friendship has truly come of age. In addition to strong bilateral ties which span a wide range of areas, Kenya and South are close partners also at the regional as well as global stage,” Uhuru said.
We conclude these talks determined to deepen our cooperation so that we may together seize these opportunities and build the Kenya, the South Africa and the Africa we want.https://t.co/3FOWsmRGfI
— Cyril Ramaphosa ???????? (@CyrilRamaphosa) November 23, 2021
