The former President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, has decided not to participate in the peace discussions about the ongoing crisis in Ethiopia.
On Saturday, October 8, in South Africa, the immediate ex-president was slated to preside over peace talks.
Uhuru notified the Chairman of the African Union, Mousa Faki, in a letter that he would be engaged and had other responsibilities to address.
“Regrettably, I wish to notify your good office that I will not be able to attend the AU-Convened Peace Talks scheduled for October 8, 2022, in South Africa owing to conflicts in my schedule.
“I thank you for your dedication to the Pan-African call for peace in our continent. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration,” Uhuru signed the letter as Kenya’s peace envoy.
He also requested that the mediators consider delaying the peace negotiations, saying that he would like further information about the structure and logistics of the discussions, including but not limited to the ground rules for all invited interlocutors.
He claimed that the explanation was necessary so that he could feel ready to participate actively.
“Furthermore, as we discuss the agenda for the talks, I hope that among the most urgent issues high on that agenda will be the immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities.
“This silencing of the guns is particularly important to avail the right conditions for the consultations and negotiations while alleviating human suffering and allowing for continued access to humanitarian assistance,” he explained.
On Wednesday, Ethiopia announced that it will be sending a delegation to South Africa to participate in peace talks spearheaded by African Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa Olusegun Obasanjo.
Redwan Hussein, the National Security Advisor to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, said, “The GoE (Government of Ethiopia) has accepted this invitation which is in line with our principled position regarding the peaceful resolution of the conflict and the need to have talks without preconditions.”
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