PNU Accusations of Ramaphosa Condemned

Sholain Govender
Pretoria

The South African government condemns the accusations made by the Kenyan government that Cyril Ramaphosa was a dishonest peace broker.

Speaking at a media briefing, Department of Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad said the South African government has rejected with contempt, the reasons given by members of the Kenyan government for not accepting Mr Ramaphosa as a mediator.

The Kenyan government has called Mr Ramaphosa a dishonest peace broker because of past business dealings with Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga.

"Mr Ramaphosa has categorically denied this," said Mr Pahad.

He said Mr Ramaphosa's track record both in the South African and Irish peace processes were spotless and that his withdrawal from the mediation panel was a great loss.

Mr Ramaphosa withdrew from the Kenyan mediation process, led by former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, on Monday.

Mr Pahad said that the government continues to give its support to the current African Union mediation process led by Mr Annan in Kenya.

Mr Pahad said that on a positive side, Mr Annan has met with representatives from both sides after they agreed on a roadmap.

He said that as part of the mediation process, the UN Human Rights Commission will be encouraged to go to Kenya to investigate what has happened since violence erupted shortly after the 27 December presidential elections was contested.

The civil unrest that has resulted in over 1 000 deaths to date and about 250 000 Kenyans have been internally displaced.

President Mwai Kibaki won the election by a narrow margin which led to opposition members rejecting the election and alleging it was rigged.

A Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) will also be put together consisting of local and international members, as part of the steps towards resolution thus far.

Mr Pahad said there were also many other recommendations, one of which was that the speaker of parliament hold an informal meeting with all elected members of parliaments to debate the current situation.

Both sides have named negotiators as a way forward for the mediation process.

Mr Pahad added that the South African government has not congratulated Mr Kibaki on his election win as the elections had been contested immediately after it was announced.

"It is best for us not to pre-empt anything that may come out of the TRC and UN Human Rights Commission hearings," said Mr Pahad.