South Sudan urges peaceful solution to Kenya’s crisis
January 7, 2007 (NAIROBI) — Southern Sudan government called upon the Kenyan government and opposition to resolve peacefully the ongoing political crisis in the country and to hold dialogue to end it.
The head of southern Sudan government delegation, minister of regional cooperation, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, in a statement delivered to the Kenyan leaders involved in the dispute, urged the parties to exercise restraint and “to resort to their long standing tradition of tolerance and dialogue as the effective way of resolving conflict and disputes.”
President Mwai Kibaki, whose re-election 11 days ago triggered political violence and tribal clashes, said last week he would accept a unity government. However formed now a partial cabinet where he handed most posts to members of his party.
Opposition leader Odinga refuses to recognise Kibaki’s legitimacy, alleging widespread fraud in the polls including a rigged vote count. Despite huge international pressure, the two rivals have still not met face-to-face since Kibaki was sworn in on December 30.
In a press briefing at Nairobi Hotel, Barnaba reiterated the importance of Kenya to southern Sudan people. During the years of civil war, Kenya hosted southern Sudanese who consider it as their second homeland. Also reminded the important role played by Kenya, head of the Igad, during Naivasha peace talks which led to the signing of the 2005 peace deal.
GoSS minister told the press that there are over 100,000 Kenyan investors in Southern Sudan and all ferry their goods and supplies through Kenya and a considerable number of trucks and motorists are entering Southern Sudan daily from Kenya.
The Minister stated that the political crisis in Kenya is already being felt by the people of Southern Sudan who depend entirely on the Port of Mombasa for livelihood.
While Madam Rebecca Garang de Mabior, GoSS presidential advisor, told the press that the Late Garang was very positive about the importance of Kenya in terms of trade and investment in Post-conflict Sudan. She reminded the Press on the plan by the GOSS to build a road from Mombasa to Southern Sudan to facilitate easy movement of goods.
The press conference also was attended by the head of GoSS liaison office in Kenya, John Andruga Duku, reaffirmed the good relations between the southern Sudan and Kenya. He further said peace and stability in Kenya are profitable for all the neighbouring countries in the region.
(ST)
Below the text of Southern Sudan Government on the current political crisis in Kenya
The people and Government of Southern Sudan have been
following with great concern the current political
situation in Kenya, resulting from the dispute over
the results of the Presidential elections.
We are profoundly moved and shocked by incidents of
violence that erupted in some parts of Kenya, claiming
innocent lives at a time the world is celebrating the
beginning of the New Year.
We are greatly concerned that if the ongoing violence
is not addressed promptly, it will not only have
serious implications on the long-term political
stability of Kenya, but also on the security and
economic stability of the entire region.
Kenya has been a beacon of peace and prosperity in the
region because of its leadership and choice of its
people to sustain peace and stability. As a result
Kenya has been one of Africa’s most stable nations and
has always taken the higher moral ground to mediate
and facilitate peace processes in the region.
Kenya, as a member of IGAD, successfully facilitated
the Sudan peace process that resulted in the signing
of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement as one of the,
major achievements in the continent.
People of Sudan, particularly people of Southern
Sudan, owe a great deal to the people and government
of Kenya for saving lives in Sudan and would not like
to see Kenya and its people to get into similar
violent conflict.
We, therefore, call on leaders of all political
parties in Kenya to exercise utmost restraint and to
resort to their long standing tradition of tolerance
and dialogue as the effective way of resolving
conflict and disputes. We also appeal to the people of
Kenya to refrain from violence and allow their
political leaders to resolve the current political
crisis through peaceful means.
2nd January, 2008
Juba, Southern Sudan