Presidents of Kenya, Namibia Pledge to Cooperate to Fight HIV

On Saturday, the presidents of Namibia and Kenya said they will work together to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS and strengthen trade relations between the two countries. Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki called Namibian President Sam Nujoma, who will retire next year, a "visionary statesman." "The two leaders welcomed the collaboration between the two countries in addressing this pandemic noting the grave threat it poses to socio-economic development," said a joint statement issued at the end of Nujoma's farewell visit to Kenya. Preliminary results from a government survey indicate 6.7 percent of Kenya's 30 million people are infected with HIV, while more than 21 percent of Namibia's 1.8 million are infected. The two leaders also pledged to cooperate in investment, tourism, agriculture wildlife management and peacekeeper training.

Back to other news for July 12, 2004