Kenyan leader to attend swearing in of transitional Sudan govt

KHARTOUM, July 3, 2005 (The Nation) — Sudanese capital Khartoum is in a carnival mood as preparations kicked off to usher in a government of national unity that will see rebel leader John Garang share power with his erstwhile political foe – President Omar al-Bashir.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell signs the Sudan Peace agreement as a witness, as Sudan’s Vice President, Ali Osman Taha, left, and Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki, right, wait, at Nyayo Stadium Nairobi, Kenya, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2005. (AP).

Elaborate security measures were yesterday being put in place and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and government top officials held endless meetings just to make sure the arrangements went on as planned.

A draft constitution prepared after the peace accord in Nairobi will be signed by President Al-Bashir just before the swearing-in ceremony.

Kenyan president Mwai Kibaki is among the presidents who have confirmed their attendance, according to government officials here.

Kenya has played an integral role in brokering the peace accord and will be given a special mention at the ceremony, the officials said.