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- A sad joke? -
Situation under control,
assures President Kibaki
KTN Written By: PPS
Posted: Sat, Feb 02, 2008
President Mwai Kibaki returned home Friday evening from Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia where he attended the 10th Ordinary Session of the
Assembly of the African Union and chaired the Extra Ordinary
Summit of IGAD Heads of State and Government.
The plane carrying President Kibaki and his entourage touched down
at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport shortly after 7.00 p.m.
He was warmly received at the airport by Vice President Kalonzo
Musyoka and Internal Security Minister Prof. George Saitoti among
other senior Government officials.
Earlier President Kibaki reassured regional leaders and the
international community that the security situation in the country
is under control.
Stressing that, Kenya believes in resolving political disputes
through dialogue, President Kibaki said his Government has
embarked on consultations with all Kenyan leaders with a view to
restoring peace through dialogue and reconciliation.
"We have in this regard welcomed the facilitation of the panel of
Eminent African personalities led by His Excellency Kofi Annan,
former UN Secretary General, His Excellency Benjamin Mkapa, former
President of Tanzania, and Her Excellency Graca Machel. I am
pleased to report that the team has already begun its work, and I
am optimistic that we will arrive at a lasting political solution.,''
Said President Kibaki.
He added, "'I also welcome the efforts of all our friends
including President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Chairman of East
African Community and the out going chairperson of AU President
John Kufuor of Ghana in helping us to find a mediated political
solution to this challenge'.
President Kibaki who was chairing the Extra Ordinary Summit of
IGAD Heads of State and Government at UN Headquarters in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia briefed the summit on the recently concluded
general election in the country.
Saying that Kenya recognizes the fundamental role and
responsibility that IGAD plays, President Kibaki called on member
countries to ensure maintenance of peace, security and stability
in the sub region.
President Kibaki said, 'Controversies over elections are a reality
in any democracy. And historically, few close to call elections
are not marred by allegations of irregularities, even in advanced
and well-established democracies. In such situations, the accepted
rule is to resort to the established constitutional mechanisms.
Indeed, the Judiciary in Kenya has over the years arbitrated
electoral disputes and the current one should not be an exception''.
He said his Government has initiated urgent measures to stop the
violence, and provide humanitarian assistance to the displaced
people.
"Arrangements are also underway to resettle the victims of
violence even as we search for a lasting solution to the current
political crisis. I take this opportunity to thank the
international community and all our friendly countries for
contributing to the government's humanitarian relief effort,' said
President Kibaki.
On the sub-region, President Kibaki said that progress being made
towards achieving peace in the region peace is encouraging.
President Kibaki said, 'I note with satisfaction the enormous
strides that the President of the Sudan, Omar Hassan Al-Bashir and
his Vice President, Salva Kiir have made in implementing the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) since 2005''.
Therefore, President Kibaki noted that the CPA guarantees lasting
peace, security for all, justice and equality in the Sudan and
more important the recognition among IGAD member states that the
successful implementation of the CPA will catalyze the development
and prosperity of our region.
"'Furthermore, the international community particularly IGAD
Partners Forum who availed substantial resources in support of the
peace process, are keen to see that the CPA is successfully
implemented,'' he added.
Regarding the situation in Somalia, President Kibaki said it was
encouraging to note that the Transitional Federal Government has
laid the foundation for the reconstruction of Somalia. Adding that
there is need to initiate broad-based consultations with all
stakeholders aimed at achieving lasting peace and reconciliation
in Somalia.
President Kibaki said, ''there is no doubt that the Transitional
Federal Government and the opposition group in diaspora as well as
in Somalia need to engage in constructive dialogue to end the
political deadlock''.
He, however said robust actions must be taken by all the people of
Somalia, the international community and the IGAD sub-region to
address the fluid security situation in Somalia.
"I commend President Abdulahi Yusuf, the Prime Minister Nur Hassan
Hussein and his predecessor, Ali Mohammed Gedi, as well as the
Transitional Federal Parliament for restoring the traditions of
governance as well as nurturing the culture of democracy and the
rule of law within the last three years,'' said President Kibaki.
He added, ''we in the IGAD sub-region must continue to play our
part, since we remain the strategic actor to spearhead the peace
process in Somalia''.
Urging the international community to adopt an integrated approach
to the situation in Somalia, President Kibaki stressed the need to
honor the pledges made and increasing humanitarian assistance to
Somalia.
Thanking Ugandan Government for quickly and fully deploying the
1850 troops that they pledged as well as Burundi which deployed
some of her pledged troops, President Kibaki noted it was
regrettable that the AMISOM mandate lapses on 20th February 2008
even before the attainment of full deployment.
President Kibaki said, '' the extension of the mandate and the
complete deployment of troops is therefore a necessity.
He added that Kenya has consulted with Burundi, Benin, Nigeria and
Ghana who have pledged to contribute troops with a view to
speeding up the deployment of the pledged troops to AMISOM.
On the conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia, President Kibaki
said the conflict has direct impact on the situation in Somalia.
'' You will recall that Eritrea temporarily pulled out of IGAD in
April 2007 and On your behalf I wish to urge our brother President
Isaias Afewerki to reconsider that decision and to lead Eritrea
back to IGAD,'' urged President Kibaki.
President Kibaki assured IGAD Member States and its partners that
Kenya will continue to play its rightful role in all peace and
security initiatives in the region.
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