BRICS Welcomes Kenya’s Regional Rivals
The BRICS nations accepted six new members on Thursday, including Kenya’s economic rivals Ethiopia and Egypt, which are located nearby.
BRICS is a group of five emergent nations composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa that are challenging the dollar’s dominance and the G7.
The admission of Ethiopia and Egypt into the alliance was disclosed at a press conference held by the five BRICS members.
“BRICS is a group of diverse entities. It is an equal partnership of countries with divergent views but a shared vision for a better world, according to the joint statement.
“As BRICS members, we have reached a consensus on the expansion process’ guiding principles, standards, criteria, and procedures.”
After reaching a consensus on the first phase of expansion, the alliance announced that it was inviting Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to join BRICS as full members.
The nations will legally join the alliance on January 1, 2024, following ratification.
In June of this year, Ethiopia, which had close ties with BRICS member states, applied to join the bloc of emergent markets.
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“We anticipate a positive response from BRICS to our request,” the foreign ministry stated at the time.
Kenya’s Stance on the British
President William Ruto has been perceived to work closely with the United States and Europe while maintaining minimal ties with BRICS.
Last month, when Russian President Vladimir Putin invited African heads of state to an economic summit, Ruto conspicuously declined to send representatives.
The President has also been absent from the South African BRICS summit. The President is instead represented by Foreign Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua.
“Kenya has become a major player on the international stage due to our Pan-African spirit, democracy, and push for a fair international financial system that supports the development of people and frees nations from the yoke of debt-driven bondage,” Mutua told African Heads of State at the summit.
The nation has yet to submit an official application to join the economic bloc.
BRICS Welcomes Kenya’s Regional Rivals