“Things don’t add up” speculations on why Uhuru opted out of AU peace talks on the Ethiopian conflict
Uhuru on Friday, 7, October opted out of AU peace talks on the Ethiopian conflict, and speculations have been rife despite his explanation.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s decision to withdraw the participation in the AU peace negotiations has received commentary from political expert Mutahi Ngunyi.
Alongside former South African vice president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, he was slated to serve as the facilitator of the negotiations.
The talks are aimed at ending the two-year conflict between Ethiopia’s government and the rival Tigray forces.
They are the parties’ first official talks since 2020.
Ngunyi claimed to be suspicious of foul play in the action, claiming that the current course of events indicates that “things don’t add up.”
“Things don’t add up about President Uhuru Kenyatta failing to attend the Ethiopia-Tigre mediation in SA,” he said in a tweet on Friday.
“One, Ruto visits Ethiopia this week and meets Prime Minister. Two, when he returns, the US Special envoy to the Horn meets him at State House as the new mediator. Add the Math.”
Uhuru wrote a letter to AU head Mousa Faki Mahamat explaining why he was unable to attend the talks due to scheduling conflicts.
“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,” he said.
The former president, however, expressed commitment to being a party to such a meeting in the future if informed prior.
However, one of Ruto’s allies Senator Kiprotich Arap Cherargei castigated Uhuru for skipping the AU peace talks urging him to instead drop Uhuru and appoint Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
“H.E Kenyatta has declined the Peace envoy role for Ethiopia peace talks .it looks like the role of chairmanship of Azimio-OKA/opposition role is making him very busy. H.E Ruto should swiftly appoint another eminent Kenyan I.e Raila to this role of peace envoy to Ethiopian Peace talks” he said.
Also read,
Uhuru opts of AU peace talks on Ethiopia conflict
Raila alleges that the international community opposed his candidature
Former Museveni aide alleges unpaid bribes on Kenya’s presidential election led to Muhoozi’s threats
Follow us
