SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY HON. MWAI KIBAKI, C.G.H., M.P., PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA DURING THE AU PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL SUMMIT IN ABUJA, NIGERIA, 29TH OCTOBER, 2009

Your Excellency Musa Yar’Adua, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,

Excellencies Heads of State and Government,

Chairman of the AU Commission Dr. Jean Ping,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me at the outset express my sincere thanks and gratitude to our dear brother, His Excellency Musa Yar’Adua for hosting this Special Session of the A.U. Peace and Security Council to consider the report of the African Union High Level Panel on Darfur.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for their warm welcome and generous hospitality.

The agenda placed before us, is a reminder of our duty and obligation towards sustainable peace and security for Africa, and the quest for a lasting solution to the Darfur crisis. The conflict in Darfur is not just a problem for the Sudan. The events in that part of Sudan have had a direct bearing on peace and stability not only in the sub-region, but on the continent as a whole. I would therefore like, on behalf of the Government and people of Kenya, to pay tribute to the High Level Panel led by His Excellency Thabo Mbeki for their broad and inclusive consultations on the problem of Darfur. Having carefully studied the Panel’s report I have no doubt that it provides a good framework for resolving the issues of peace, justice, accountability and reconciliation in Darfur.

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As fellow African leaders, we have a responsibility to encourage our brothers in Sudan to manifest the political will needed to fully translate the findings and recommendations of the Panel into comprehensive and sustained resolution of the Darfur crisis. The report candidly acknowledges that historical injustices did occur. It notes the need to deal with inequalities and regional marginalization and the need to implement reforms in the criminal justice system so as to resolve conflicts in Sudan. We must, therefore, be very open in our discussions here today if we are to help the people of Sudan to fully resolve their conflicts, particularly in Darfur and Southern Sudan.

It is clear that comprehensive peace in Sudan cannot be achieved without a resolution of the conflict in Darfur. It is, also clearer that without the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for Southern Sudan, the Darfur Peace Process would be compromised. Full implementation of the C.P.A. and the Darfur Peace process should, therefore, be pursued with equal vigour and on the basis of a comprehensive Peace Strategy for Sudan.

Although we acknowledge the importance of the C.P.A., attention and resources have recently focused more on Darfur. There is no doubt that, the humanitarian and security situation in Darfur cries out for urgent help and redress. However, we should not forget that millions also died or were displaced during the North –South conflict, hence the need to implement the C.P.A. in its entirety. This meeting should, therefore, also send a positive and reassuring signal to the people of Southern Sudan. That message should be that Africa is committed to the full implementation of the C.P.A. as the surest way of achieving sustainable peace and security.

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The C.P.A. gave the people of Sudan an opportunity for peace and unity in 2005. While we rightly commend the parties on the progress made so far, we are also obliged to highlight the challenges that lie ahead. These challenges include the question of how Darfur can and should participate in National Elections and the threat to boycott next year’s general elections in Sudan by the opposition. Other issues include the referendum law which focuses on the determination of who should vote, the percentage of votes required for unity or separation, the National Security Act which is still contentious and the 2008 census results. There is an urgent need to re-engage the parties so as to reach an agreeable compromise on these issues. This will enable the people of Sudan to enjoy lasting peace and stability.

In spite of the slow implementation of the C.P.A., and however tiresome it may seem, it is our humble submission that no party should walk away from the agreement. Both parties should strive in good faith to implement in full the C.P.A. There are differences over a number of issues. However, the C.P.A., provides for mechanisms of resolving any conflicts that may arise between the parties. The two parties should, therefore, use the mechanisms in the C.P.A. to resolve any outstanding issues. It is my firm believe that continued partnership and frank discussions between the various parties in Sudan remains the basis of progress in the implementation of the C.P.A.

Both sides have worked through periods of strain given the history of tragic wars. We congratulate the parties for their achievements so far. We encourage them to continue in serious consultations on the remaining phases of the peace process. Indeed the success of the C.P.A. will serve as an added incentive to resolve the Darfur conflict. In this regard IGAD as the broker of the C.P.A. should be invited to participate in the Darfur peace process, to make it more inclusive.

In conclusion, Excellencies, I wish to re-affirm that Kenya remains committed to supporting regional and international peace endeavours that will result in sustainable peace and stability in Sudan and Africa as a whole.

Thank you and God bless you all.