President Thabo Mbeki welcomes the Formation of a Coalition Agreement in Kenya

Cape Town- South Africa President Thabo Mbeki today, Thursday 28 February welcomed the signing of the agreement between President Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga laying the basis for the formation of a coalition Government in Kenya

“The signing of the agreement is a shining example of how Africans themselves can find peaceful resolution to their political challenges. Accordingly as Africans we welcome this agreement and express our confidence that it will lay firm foundation for an advance to a peaceful and democratic Kenya.

“In this regard, we express the hope that the people of Kenya, on whose behalf the agreement was signed, will support the agreement and take advantage of the space created by this act to rebuild their country to take its rightful place among nations of the world as an equal partner” said President Mbeki.

“Most certainly, the people of Africa, particularly those in East Africa look forward to a prosperous and peaceful Kenya that plays a strategic role as the engine of sustainable development in the region and indeed the continent of African in general” continued President Mbeki.

“Accordingly, we express our gratitude to Former UN Secretary- General Kofi Annan, the Chairperson of the AU President Jikaya Kikwete, Former President Benjamin Mkapa and Ms. Graca Machel for their efforts in assisting the people of Kenya to find an amicable and peaceful resolution to their current political challenges.

“In this regard, we wish them well in their endeavours to find a resolution to the outstanding issues of mediation” concluded President Mbeki

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

28 February 2008