Africa

UK and Kenya unite in fight against Al-Shabaab

UK and Kenya sign new Defence Cooperation Agreement to tackle shared threat from Al-Shabaab, Ben Wallace 28072021 CREDIT MOD

The UK has pledged more counter-terrorism and military support for Kenya in a new five-year Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA).

The deal, which was signed by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Defence Dr Monica Juma, will enhance coordination and improve security in east Africa.

The UK and Kenya regularly work together when dealing with al-Shabaab, through training, sharing information and identifying new ways to target the group financially with sanctions.

Building on the existing agreement, the new DCA provides a basis for military personnel exchanges, with a focus on enhancing training opportunities.

British troops help to train more than 1,100 Kenyan soldiers every year before they deploy to the African Union Mission in Somalia to fight al-Shabaab.