UDA, Burundi Ruling Party Begin Cooperation on Party Building

UDA, Burundi Ruling Party Begin Cooperation on Party Building

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Burundi’s ruling party, CNDD-FDD, have agreed to strengthen cooperation and share political experiences as Kenya and Burundi seek to deepen their relationship.

The agreement was reached on Wednesday, September 9, when UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar held talks with his CNDD-FDD counterpart, Révérien Ndikuriyo, at the UDA headquarters in Nairobi.

The meeting focused on party building and strengthening relations between the two political organisations.

According to UDA, the two parties agreed to share experiences and work together in areas that could strengthen their respective political structures.

“The discussions centered on strengthening relations between the two countries, with UDA and CNDD-FDD agreeing to cooperate and learn from each other on Party building,” UDA stated.

The engagement comes at a time when Kenya and Burundi are also seeking to maintain close relations within the East African Community (EAC).

UDA and CNDD-FDD discuss EAC cooperation

The two parties also discussed the broader relationship between Kenya and Burundi, with particular attention to trade, investment and the movement of people and goods.

UDA said regional integration remains an important part of the relationship between the two countries.

“Kenya and Burundi continue to enjoy close cooperation, with our two countries working together within the wider East African Community (EAC) on trade and investment, and with the free movement of people and goods central to this relationship,” the party added.

The discussions come amid renewed debate over the status of foreign nationals operating businesses in Kenya.

The issue of undocumented Burundian nationals living and working in Kenya also featured during the meeting.

Omar assured the Burundian delegation of the government’s commitment to addressing the status of foreign nationals through regularisation.

Ndikuriyo, meanwhile, expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended to Burundian citizens living and working in Kenya.

Burundians seek assistance amid Kenya crackdown

The political engagement comes days after hundreds of Burundians sought assistance from their embassy in Nairobi amid uncertainty over their ability to continue living and conducting business in Kenya.

Some Burundians visited the embassy seeking travel documents and guidance, while others were reportedly preparing to return to Burundi.

The situation followed President William Ruto’s directive targeting foreigners operating small-scale businesses, including hawking.

The directive sparked concern among some foreign traders, particularly those involved in informal businesses.

However, the government later announced a 90-day period for affected foreigners to regularise their immigration status, work permits, business registration and operating licences.

State House said the regularisation process would provide foreign nationals with an opportunity to comply with Kenyan laws before stricter enforcement begins.

“Over the next 90 days, the Government will conduct an orderly regularisation exercise to facilitate compliance,” State House stated.

UDA pledges commitment to regional integration

The UDA-CNDD-FDD meeting is expected to provide another platform for political engagement between Kenya and Burundi.

Omar maintained that Kenya remains committed to its relationship with Burundi and to regional integration through the EAC.

The two countries are linked by growing trade, investment and cross-border movement, making the treatment of citizens from either country an important issue in bilateral relations.

The latest cooperation between UDA and CNDD-FDD could also create opportunities for the two parties to exchange experiences on political organisation, grassroots mobilisation and party development.

For Burundi, the engagement comes as its citizens in Kenya seek clarity over the new business and immigration requirements.

For Kenya, the discussions offer an avenue to reassure its regional partners that enforcement of national laws can proceed alongside commitments to EAC integration.

The two parties are expected to continue engaging on areas of mutual interest as Kenya and Burundi strengthen political and economic ties within the region.

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UDA, Burundi Ruling Party Begin Cooperation on Party Building