Thursday, February 21, 2008
Annan’s team in crucial talks over PM’s role
Government and ODM negotiators in the Kofi Annan-led talks were Wednesday evening on the verge of reaching agreement on the creation of a prime minister’s post. But they were yet to agree on exactly what powers and responsibilities the holder of the office should have. Although the details of the position were yet to be worked out, it heralded the beginning of softening of hard-line positions that the two sides have taken since former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan embarked on the mediation process on January 29.
Sources close to the National Dialogue and Reconciliation Committee, which Mr Annan chairs, revealed that both Government and ODM sides had agreed on the need to create the premier’s post as part of the political settlement. It is understood that the resolution was made by the four-member working group of the mediation team appointed on Tuesday to explore the options of governance structures that could be acceptable to both sides.