Murphy Statement on Kenya's Contributions to the Birth and Growth of Southern Sudan

Statement

Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement on Kenya's contributions to Southern Sudan in advance of the Kenyan Prime Minister's upcoming trip to Washington, DC.

"The Republic of Kenya has played an important stabilizing role in Eastern Africa, and in particular, its efforts to help bring stability to Southern Sudan deserve recognition. Kenya provided essential assistance throughout the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, sponsored the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement and mediated the three-year process leading up to it. With Kenya's Prime Minister scheduled to visit the U.S. next month, it is an appropriate time to express our gratitude for his country's leadership in efforts to assist the future country of Southern Sudan.

"Kenya has continued to lead efforts to ensure the burgeoning nation lands on its feet in its critical first days and weeks. Kenya has provided training for teachers and civil servants, and been a key driver in the development of the private sector in Southern Sudan, especially in the fields of energy, agriculture, and mining. These industries will help propel the young nation forward.

"Kenya's important contributions to Southern Sudan and to the region at large deserve to be recognized. The US should encourage this cooperation and foster further development of these efforts."

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