Kenya urged to ensure peace deals in Sudan, Somalia

NAIROBI, Jun 6, 2005 (Xinhua) — African economic experts meeting in Nairobi on Monday have called on Kenya to ensure successful implementation of both Sudan and Somalia peace agreements.

SPLM leader John Garang (left) shakes hands with Sudanese president Omar El Bashir (right), in the presence of Kenyan president Mwai Kibaki (centre) Wednesday April 2, 2003.

Speaking at the start of the two-day meeting to examine ways of harmonizing and strengthening regional integration, participants commended Kenya for its contribution to peace in the region, noting that it has shown Africa’s readiness to get solutions for its own problems.

“Kenya has played an extremely important role in supporting peace processes in both Sudan and Somalia. In so doing, it has provided an example of how the positive involvement of surrounding countries can help parties in conflict reach agreement,” said former speaker of South African National Assembly, Frene Ginwala.

“We look to Kenya’s continuing involvement in helping to ensure that Sudan’s comprehensive peace agreement is effectively implemented. Peace will not only benefit Sudan itself, but also the region as a whole,” added Ginwala, co-chairperson of the Global Coalition of Africa (GCA).

She said the Africa Union which has rejected unconstitutional accession to power will intervene to ensure that constitutional processes are followed and help develop democratic values in some African countries ravaged by conflicts.

Kenya’s East African and Regional Cooperation Minister John Koech emphasized that peaceful coexistence and harmony among the regional countries is the sure way of achieving sustainable development.

“Kenya is optimistic that the people of Sudan and Somalia who for a long time have been involved in fighting and civil strife will now embrace peace and direct their energies and resources towards development,” Koech said.

Sudan’s 21-year conflict came to an end early this year while the Somalia peace process was concluded late last year and is now in the process relocating its exiled interim government from neighboring Kenya to the Horn of Africa nation.

The two-day meeting, organized by the Global Coalition for Africa (GCA) brings together senior executives of regional economic communities, representatives of member countries, experts, and representatives of the private sector and civil society.