President Bush calls for power-sharing deal in Kenya

US president George Bush is set to vist five countries during the six-day tour

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Saturday, 16, Feb 2008 08:01

US president George Bush has called for a power-sharing deal to end the political crisis in Kenya.

Mr Bush visited the west African countries of Tanzania and Benin today, as part of his five-nation tour of the continent, but did not enter into Kenya.

Instead secretary of state Condoleezza Rice will visit on Monday to back mediation by former UN chief Kofi Annan.

After meeting with Benin president Thomas Boni Yayi, Mr Bush said: "The key is that the leaders hear from her first hand that the United States desires to see that there be no violence and that there ought to be a power-sharing agreement that will help this nation resolve its difficulties.

"Kenya's an issue… that's why I'm sending secretary Rice there to help with the Kofi Annan initiative."

Over the next six days, Mr Bush is expected to visit Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia to hold discussions with heads of states on efforts towards disease prevention and economic development.

Speaking about the visit, a spokesperson for the president said: "This trip will be an opportunity for the president to review firsthand the significant progress since his last visit in 2003 in efforts to increase economic development and fight HIV/Aids, malaria, and other treatable diseases, as a result of the United States robust programmes in these areas."

During his visit to the continent, Mr Bush will review the progress made by aid grants to African countries.

In the past, the president has emphasised his commitment to Africa and has announced plans to provide up to $15bn (£7.5bn) in financial assistance to fight HIV/Aids.

Mr Bush, who is the final year of his presidency, was set to visit a hospital and a school during his trip to Tanzania and to pay his respects to genocide victims at a memorial in Rwanda.