PaanLuel Wël Media Ltd – South Sudan

"We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, with so little, for so long, we are now qualified to do anything, with nothing" By Konstantin Josef Jireček, a Czech historian, diplomat and slavist.

Kenyan MPs want G-11 leaders expel from Windsor Hotel in Nairobi

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A group of MPs have demanded the expulsion of South Sudanese leaders from the Windsor Hotel in Nairobi.President Uhuru Kenyatta looks on as John Luk, one of the detainees from South Sudan, addresses members of the press on January 29, 2014. A group of MPs have demanded the expulsion of South Sudanese leaders from the Windsor Hotel in Nairobi.

The Parliamentary Caucus on Human Rights members said the 11 leaders who were detained and released by President Salva Kiir’s government were engaging in selfish political re-organisation and not helping in the peace efforts.

They want Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku, who is in charge of the national security docket, to expel the leaders and demand they seek asylum by following normal procedures.

“The said leaders were to help in the peace process and the negotiations taking place in Ethiopia, and not live in opulence at the expense of the Kenyan taxpayer. They are engaging in selfish political re-organising that does not help South Sudan,” the MPs said in a joint statement.

They included Kibra MP Ken Okoth, Wajir South MP Abdulahi Diriye, Ndhiwa MP Agostinho Neto, Matungulu MP Stephen Mule and Senator Daisy Kanaiza.

They also criticised the government for accommodating the leaders. “Kenya should not let its territory be used by rebels for political reorganisation in the name of the “Third Force” that is housed in Windsor and also by friends and relatives of Dr Riek Machar,” the group said.

“South Sudan still has a legitimate government headed by His Excellency Salva Kiir, his problems notwithstanding. Kenya should therefore be working with the elected leaders of South Sudan,” the MPs stated.

They said any talks held in Kenya should be attended by both President Kiir and Dr Machar to avoid creating suspicions. “It is bad that a rebel leader in the person of Dr Machar should be given red carpet reception in Nairobi as that might portray Kenya as a partial peace arbiter,” they stated.

The caucus also wants Igad to pass a resolution to transfer the peace negotiations to Nairobi, arguing that Kenya midwifed the initial process and the regional body is chaired by President Kenyatta. This is part of amendments the parliamentary caucus seeks to make on a motion already before Parliament.

The MPs also want Parliament to form an ad hoc committee on the South Sudan to team up with the South Sudan MPs.

“Should we do the above, Kenya will be fairly overseeing the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement,” the MPs said.

They said President Kenyatta had failed as chairman of Igad by failing to ensure implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.

 

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