US president George Bush to send Condoleezza Rice to Kenya
Thursday, 14 Feb 2008 17:40
Condoleezza Rice to be sent to Kenya to aid efforts to halt post-election violence.
US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice is to be sent to Kenya to aid efforts to halt the violence that has killed more than 1,000 people.
Her trip was confirmed today by US president George Bush who said Ms Rice is to support the mediation efforts headed by former United Nations (UN) secretary general Kofi Annan.
"In Kenya, we are backing the efforts of former UN secretary general Kofi Annan to end the crisis," the president said ahead of a diplomatic trip to Africa that begins tomorrow.
"And when we are on the continent, I have asked Condi Rice to travel to Kenya to support the work of the former secretary general and to deliver a message directly to Kenya's leaders."
He added: "There must be an immediate halt to violence, there must be justice for the victims of abuse, and there must be a full return to democracy."
Ms Rice will visit Kenya while accompanying the president on his trip to Tanzania, Rwanda, Benin, Ghana and Liberia.
Political unrest in Kenya has killed more than 1,000 people and left more than 600,000 displaced since president Mwai Kibaki was controversially re-elected on December 27th.
Talks between Mr Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga - who claimed the poll was rigged - are to continue on Monday, it has been confirmed, despite an agreement of sorts being reached today.
A UN statement said Mr Annan would "outline what was agreed in 48 hours of discussion at a location outside the capital".
It added: "Mr Annan will make available the text of the agreement signed today between the two parties