Andrew Teyie And Ben Agina
10 January 2004
Nairobi — There was tense and anxious moments as Presidents Mwai Kibaki and Yoweri Museveni were kept waiting for six hours to launch the Somali leaders Retreat at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi yesterday.
The launch was initially scheduled for 11 am but was delayed until 5 pm.
Time stood still as Museveni engaged in shuttle-diplomacy between the 25 Somali groups to resolve a deadlock which was day-long, before it was launched at 5 p.m..
As Museveni met the groups to sort out the stalemate revolving around the number of leaders to attend the retreat, President Kibaki patiently waited at a room in the ball room.
Glass after glass were taken to the room, situated above the main hall as President Kibaki was constantly briefed by Foreign Affairs Minister Kalonzo Musyoka on the progress.
During the period, President Kibaki consulted with the Provincial Police boss Jonathan Koskei and Provincial Criminal Investigations Officer Peter Kavila.
The new State House Comptroller Hyslop Ipu was with President Kibaki throughout the waiting.
He had arrived at the venue at 10.48 am and went straight to the room. President Museveni, chairman of IGAD arrived 10 minutes later. They consulted and as they prepared to walk to the main hall for the launch, they learnt of the delay.
President Museveni, who spent the better part of Thursday night trying to hammer out a deal, later went into a meeting with the leaders.
The talks were long and the waiting weighed down on the dignitaries, diplomats and the security detail at the venue.
Time and again the Somali leaders regrouped in small pockets outside Mount Kenya room where President Museveni held the talks.
At about 12.30 pm, the media confronted Kalonzo for a progress report. But he said the delay was caused by " a cross consultation." He said some delegates had problems understanding simple English words like "retreat".
"We are dealing with three groups. Some of the groups have a problem with the draft charter declaring Somali a federal state," said Kalonzo.
At around 4.30 pm, there was a breakthrough and a worn-out President Museveni retreated to Victoria room to brief President Kibaki. The launch started at 5 p.m.
Then President Kibaki delivered a passionate opening statement. He told Somali groups that Kenya is an honest and neutral broker.
"As neighbours, we wish to see peace and security restored in Somali and the entire Horn of Africa. The search for a lasting and durable peace and a stable government in Somali is a matter of great national interest to Kenya," said President Kibaki.
"The Somali people have become economic and social refugees in many parts of the world. This is not what God ordained for his people," said Kibaki.
Kibaki called on the Somali leaders to give peace a chance. He said dialogue will not be sustained in an atmosphere of hatred and narrow clan interests.
President Kibaki said Kenya is committed to the process and called on the leaders to put aside their personal interests.
"You have a rare chance to sit down together, put aside your personal interests and differences to promote peace," stated President Kibaki.
"We cannot afford to move backwards to the senseless violence of the past. Let us strive to move forward towards peace and hope," said President Kibaki.
He called on the leaders to upgrade the Eldoret declaration to a fully fledged cease-fire agreement.
The groups sought to have 20 members who signed the Eldoret declaration move to the retreat. At this stage, they will be discussing power sharing arrangements.
There were others who demanded to have every warlord in the talks.
Kalonzo had earlier cautioned the Somalis that the world was getting impatient with them.
"The world cannot just sit around and wait forever. The neighbours are getting impatient and so is the international community," stated Kalonzo.
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