Statement from the African Union Panel of Eminent African Personalities

The African Union Panel of Eminent African Personalities expresses its concern at the current political impasse in Kenya and the effect this could have on the implementation of the National Accord.

The Panel notes the considerable progress that has been achieved to date on the imple0mentation of the National Accord, particularly around constitutional, land and electoral reform. The Panel warns, however, that these achievements could be reversed if the current disagreement is not swiftly resolved.

The Panel is also concerned that this current political impasse will impede or slow down the crucial efforts needed to combat the corrosive practices of corruption.

The Panel is calling upon President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga to meet urgently in order to agree on a practical and workable application of the principle of collaboration; on the continued need for investigation of the alleged acts of corruption; and on the imperative of joint sustained efforts to implement the reform agenda.

Mr. Kofi Annan, Chairman of the Panel, said, “The Panel acknowledges the immense challenges facing Kenya at this time. We urge the coalition partners to focus on the difficult tasks ahead, and to re-dedicate themselves to the full and speedy implementation of the reform agenda for the sake of the prosperity and wellbeing of all Kenyans. We recall the core principle of collaboration agreed to in the National Accord and exhort the coalition partners to recommit themselves to this crucial principle.”
ENDS