News

Title: End of turmoil in sight as AU boss jets in

Date: 2008-01-08

A breakthrough in the country's political turmoil has emerged with ODM calling off countrywide rallies and today's expected arrival of African Union mediator John Kufuor. An upbeat ODM leader Raila Odinga emerged from a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer saying he had talked to Mr Kufuor, who chairs the African Union, and that he had assured him he was on his way to Nairobi. And since ODM wants negotiations with President Kibaki to be held in a peaceful atmosphere, Mr Odinga said all rallies planned for today had been cancelled until further notice. After consultations, all the rallies called for tomorrow have been put off until further notice. We want the negotiations to kick off in a peaceful environment, Mr Odinga said. Protest rallies called by the party last week were stopped by police and today's had also been outlawed. Mr Odinga, who was accompanied by Eldoret North MP-elect William Ruto and Aldai's Sally Kosgei said Mr Kufuor, who is also Ghana's president, will facilitate efforts to bring him and President Kibaki together. The negotiations, he said, were likely to start tomorrow.