Annan Suspends Kenya Crisis Talks to Allow Direct Consultations With Principles

The Kenyan crisis talks mediator, Kofi Annan, has announced that he has suspended negotiations with representatives of two rival parties contesting the 27 December general election in order to directly engage President Kibaki and his opposition rival Raila Odinga saying, “the leaders have to assume their responsibilities and become directly engaged in these talks.”

Annan said he had taken the decision to suspend the talks “not as an act of desperation or giving up” but because of failure to achieve “faster progress” and “given the way the talks are going and mediators are relating to each other.”

Annan said he believed the move would speed up the peace process to ensure a long-lasting solution to the crisis and its underlying causes. Annan urged understanding from all concerned.

Originally published by NTV, Nairobi, in English 1505 26 Feb 08.

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