Diplomacy in Kenya

(PANA) - African Union (AU) Chairman, President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, has vowed to press on with efforts to broker a political deadlock in Kenya, even as the parties have yet to reach a deal despite weeks of negotiations.

He also expressed optimism that a deal to end the impasse would be arrived at soon.

President Kikwete was due to meet Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki Thursday alongside chief mediator Kofi Annan, in a new effort to clinch a political settlement to Kenya’s post-election dispute, which has claimed the lives of 1,000 people.

The Tanzanian President, who arrived in Nairobi Tuesday, extend his two-day visit to Thursday (28 Feb) in the hope of convincing host President Kibaki to agree to a power-sharing accord that will bring an end to the political standoff in the East African state.

Speaking after holding back-to-back consultations with opposition leader Raila Odinga and President Kibaki Wednesday, President Kikwete said he was impressed with the progress made during his consultations with the two Kenyan leaders.

“From the consultations I have heard, I am hopeful, that we may be able to bridge the gaps and give Kenyans an agreement,” he said.

“Tomorrow (Thursday), they are on it again. The shuttle diplomacy would continue, but we are optimistic. Kenyans deserve an agreement, they deserve to get out of this impasse,” the AU Chairman said.

The Kenyan talks have been deadlocked on the sharing of power between the President and the Prime Minister.

The opposition insists it would not enter into a coalition government if the post of a powerful Prime Minister is not created.

“We are not merely interested in going into government. Any transitional arrangement would be as a means to an end, not as an end in itself,” Odinga said.

He said the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) would not accept to form a joint government with the Party of National Unity (PNU), unless it had adequate powers to implement the reform programmes required to put a definite end to the current political crisis.

Kenya’s post-election troubles started 30 Dec., when the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) declared Kibaki the winner of the presidential poll, despite evidence of rigging.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has urged the Kenyan leaders to immediately reach a solution to the post-poll crisis.

The Secretary-General strongly urges the parties to the National Dialogue and Reconciliation to take the necessary steps without delay to reach a solution to the ongoing crisis,” the UN chief said.

“It is critical that the two sides maintain the positive momentum. It is also critical that the two leaders exercise their responsibility to the people of Kenya, who continue to suffer amid this volatile situation,” he said.

The UN chief said he was grateful for the continuing and tireless facilitation efforts of the Panel, led by the former Secretary-General Kofi Annan, re-stating that the efforts have his full support.

Nairobi - 28/02/2008

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