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Kenya: Speak on Zimbabwe, Leader Tells AU
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The East African Standard (Nairobi)
7 May 2008
Posted to the web 7 May 2008
Morton Saulo
Nairobi
Prime Minister Raila Odinga has hit out at the African Union (AU) for silence on the Zimbabwe election impasse.
The PM asked the AU to come out strongly in dealing with Zimbabwe. He criticised African leaders over their silence on the matter.
"Zimbabwe is a major embarrassment to Africa and the rest of Africa is silent. No one is talking," he said.
He added: "African leaders must lead by example and speak when injustice is done on the continent."
Raila said delaying election results for more than a month and the ruling party's call for a re-run and a vote recount in some constituencies were not the best way to run a democracy.
Raila called on Zimbabwe opposition leader, the Movement for Democratic Change leader, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, to take part in the presidential repeat election.
"I have asked him to participate in the re-run," he said.
Last week, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission released presidential election results after a month of waiting.
It gave Tsvangirai more votes than President Robert Mugabe, but not the 50 per cent required to avoid a run-off.
The MDC leader garnered 47.9 per cent, while President Mugabe got 43.2 per cent.
On Sunday, MDC said it was discussing the conditions under which it could take part in the re-run.
Raila spoke to journalists on Monday night upon arrival from a one-week overseas trip that led him to Germany for an eye operation and South Africa.
While in South Africa, the PM met South African former President and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Mr Nelson Mandela, and his wife, Mrs Graca Machel.
Lands minister, Mr James Orengo, Medical Services minister, Prof Anyang' Nyong'o, and Public Service minister, Mr Dalmas Otieno, welcomed the PM at the airport.
Meanwhile, the PM has released a programme for his homecoming at the weekend.
Raila will begin the tour in Kisumu on Saturday.
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Raila's spokesman, Mr Salim Lone, said the premier would then proceed to Bondo on Sunday. The tour moves to Funyula on Monday next week.
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