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U.S. Relations with Kenya and Tanzania Fact Sheet released by the U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, August 4, 1999. Kenya and Tanzania are among our most important partners in Africa. In a region characterized by warfare and instability, Kenya and Tanzania are islands of relative peace. Both governments actively promote peaceful solutions to the conflicts affecting their neighbors in Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi. The high level of cooperation between the United States, Kenya and Tanzania is critical to the success of U.S. humanitarian goals in East and Central Africa. Relations between the United States and Kenya are good. Kenya was a key African ally during the Cold War and has continued to allow American planes and ships to use its airports and harbors for humanitarian relief operations in Africa. In the last five years, the U.S. has used Kenyan ports and airfields in support of humanitarian missions in Rwanda, Congo, Sudan and Somalia. Kenya chairs the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) process seeking peace in Sudan and is involved in efforts to end the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. About 75 U.S. companies have direct investments in Kenya. Kenya remains one of the most popular destinations for U.S. tourists to sub-Saharan Africa. Kenya faces enormous social, political and economic challenges over the next several years. Kenya will have to improve governance and transparency if it is to attract new investment. Progress on democratic and constitutional reforms and movement by Kenya to meet International Monetary Fund conditions would lead to a stronger bilateral relationship. Relations between the U.S. and Tanzania are also good. Tanzania's transition to multiparty democracy and its move towards free-market reforms earlier this decade led to increased engagement between the U.S. and Tanzania. Tanzania has long been a haven for refugees from conflicts in other countries and its stability makes it a key regional player. The administration of President Benjamin Mkapa is working to preserve this stability, forging ahead with economic reforms and improving transparency. Mkapa has also demonstrated leadership in helping to bring about a negotiated resolution to the tense impasse between the opposition and the ruling party in Zanzibar. Numerous high level exchanges and close cooperation in the wake of the August 7 bombing of the American Embassy in Dar es Salaam have further deepened the relationship between the U.S. and Tanzania. We believe President Mkapa is building a base for a stable, democratic, prosperous future for Tanzania. [end of document] Index | 1998 Bombings | African Affairs | Counterterrorism | State Department