Immediate former Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta has withdrawn from his first international duty.
Uhuru who was appointed as Kenya’s peace envoy to Ethiopia & Great Lakes Region by president Ruto, has communicated that he has other engagements.
The communication comes less than 24 hours before the scheduled peace talks convened by the African Union (AU) on the Ethiopia conflict set to be held in South Africa on Saturday.
“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,” wrote the former President to Mr. Mousa Faki Mahamat.
Mousa Faki Mahamat is the AU Chairman.
“However, in the interim and as you consider the possibility for another date for the peace talks, I would be grateful to receive further clarity on the structure and modalities of the talks, including but not limited to the rules of engagement for all the interlocutors invited. This clarification would greatly help in preparations for my engagement and participation.”
Kenyatta further sought that, for the peace talks to continue, priority must first be placed on the need for both warring entities to put down their weapons.
“Furthermore, as we discuss the agenda for the talks, it is my hope that among the most urgent issues high on that agenda will be the immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities,” he stated.
“This silencing of the guns is particularly important in order to avail the right conditions for the consultations and negotiations while alleviating human suffering and allowing for continued access to humanitarian assistance.”
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