Kenyan, U.S. leaders in talks over refugees, security
Xinhua, September 21, 2016 Adjust font size:
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama have discussed the global refugee and migrant crisis, regional security, and climate change.
A statement from Kenyatta's office said Wednesday that Obama called Kenyatta on Tuesday in the context of the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) currently underway in New York.
"President Kenyatta reiterated his commitment to improving the plight of refugees to the U.S. leader who will host a summit on refugees later this week," the statement said.
During the talks, Obama noted Kenya's pivotal role in securing peace and stability in the region, and encouraged Kenyatta to maintain that leadership role.
Kenyatta assured Obama that Kenya continues to work toward the safe and dignified repatriation of refugees from the Dadaab camp in northern Kenya to Somalia, in accordance with the norms of the international community.
He urged the U.S. President to support ongoing efforts to secure Somalia and create a politically stable environment to which refugees would feel safe to return.
The statement said the two leaders also discussed climate change and Kenya's 2017 elections. Endit