PNU rejects Ramaphosa as negotiator
The Government has rejected South African businessman Cyril Ramaphosa as a mediator in talks to end the month-long political crisis. But the talks continued under former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan. The Government, represented by ministers Martha Karua (Justice and Constitutional Affairs) and Sam Ongeri (Education), and Mbooni MP Mutula Kilonzo, argued that Mr Ramaphosa was a close ally and business associate of ODM leader Raila Odinga. PNU also said Mr Ramaphosa helped fund Mr Odinga’s presidential bid in last year’s General Election, a claim he denied.
Soon after, Mr Ramaphosa, who arrived in the country on Friday, announced he had withdrawn from consideration as a mediator and that he would return to South Africa. Mr Odinga had on Friday denied any business links with Mr Ramaphosa and challenged any one with evidence to produce it. “Those are wild and unfounded allegations. I have no business or personal relationship with Cyril Ramaphosa, whatsoever,” he said.
Mr Ramaphosa had been proposed as the chief mediator, to stand in whenever Mr Annan is unavailable. The morning session of the negotiations was temporarily stopped as Mr Annan and Mr Ramaphosa held talks before the announcement of the latter’s withdrawal.
Several key diplomats were also at Serena Hotel, Nairobi, where the talks between PNU and ODM are going on and sources said they were keen to ensure the dialogue continued smoothly. The negotiations had picked up momentum, giving Kenyans hope of an end to post-election violence that has left nearly 1,000 people dead, and 300,000 displaced.
Last Friday, PNU and ODM negotiators, known as Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation team agreed on key issues that could help ensure return of peace and stability in the country. They include an end to violence and restoration of human rights, addressing humanitarian problem, healing and reconciliation.
Leaders from various political groups, it was agreed, should hold rallies to promote peace. Police were also directed not to use live bullets on unarmed civilians in unjustifiable circumstances. The issues referred to as short-term were to be addressed within 15 days since the talks were launched while long-term ones including legal, land and constitutional reforms, would take about a year.
PNU representative
ODM is represented at the talks by former Vice-President Musalia Mudavadi, Eldoret North MP William Ruto, Aldai’s Sally Kosgei and Ugenya’s James Orengo. Sources said Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula had also joined the talks as the fourth PNU representative. The negotiations were to enter a crucial stage yesterday by discussing how to overcome current political problems and disputed outcome of last year’s presidential elections.
Mr Ramaphosa had earlier been accepted by both ODM and PNU and some of the documents the representatives signed contained his name. Mr Annan said he hoped the withdrawal of the South African lawyer, businessman, politician and trade unionist, would not set back the ongoing dialogue.
“Kofi Annan this morning accepted with regret the withdrawal of Cyril Rampahosa, the South African businessman who was unanimously chosen by the Panel of Eminent Personalities to serve as the chief mediator in the Kenyan National Dialogue,” a statement from Mr Annan’s office said. It added: “Ramaphosa told Annan that he was withdrawing his name for consideration for the post in the face of reservations by the Government/Party of National Unity.’’ Mr Ramaphosa denied doing any business with Mr Odinga.
“I do not do business with Raila Odinga. I don’t have any connections with him nor financed his campaigns. In Kenya I do business with people from all political parties,” Mr Ramaphosa later told journalists.
Complete confidence
Mr Ramaphosa said he could not function as chief mediator without the complete confidence of both PNU and ODM and he was thus to return to South Africa yesterday. “My experience in Northern Ireland and South Africa convinced me that a mediator can be effective only when he has the full confidence and support of all parties… Unfortunately this is not the case.”
Widely respected as a skilful and formidable negotiator and strategist, Mr Ramaphosa is best known for building up the biggest and most powerful trade union in South Africa — The National Union of Mine Workers.
Between 1995 and 1997, he mediated the peace process in strife torn-Northern Ireland.
Daily Nation
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