NAIROBI, Kenya October 7 – Former President Uhuru Kenyatta says he will skip the Ethiopian peace talks in South Africa set for Saturday due to prior engagements.
While expressing his regrets in a letter addressed to African Union President Mohammed Faki, Kenyatta stated that the meeting conflicted with his schedule.
“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,” said President Kenyatta.
He however urged the Ethiopian Government and the Tigrayan Regional Leadership to take part in the Pan-African effort to end the conflict in their country.
“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,” Kenyatta stated.
This is even as he requested the African Union team to give him much clarity moving forward on the structure and modalities of the talks to help in his preparations, engagement and participation.
“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,” said the former President.
In the quest to ensure that the war between the Ethiopian Government and the Tigrayan Regional Leadership comes to an end, Kenyatta called for prioritization of the urgent issues so as to ultimately restore peace.
“It is my hope that among the most urgent issues high on that agenda will be the immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities,” the peace envoy said.