Kenya: Rice Heads for Nairobi to Push Talks

14 February 2008
allAfrica.com

Washington, DC — United States President George W. Bush is sending his Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, to Kenya to help with negotiations to end the crisis that has engulfed the country since disputed presidential elections in late December.

"There must be an immediate halt to violence, there must justice for the victims of abuse, and there must be a full return to democracy," Bush said in a speech on Thursday. He leaves tomorrow on a five-nation tour of Africa. His visit includes Tanzania and Rwanda, but not Kenya.

Rice is scheduled to accompany Bush on his tour. No announcement was made on the timing of her visit to Kenya.

In a related development, news agencies are reporting that the government and opposition in Kenya have signed an agreement. No details were given but the lead mediator and former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan is expected to release details tomorrow.

The reported agreement follows two days of secret talks, which are scheduled to continue on Monday.

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