President Thabo Mbeki on Friday declined to disclose his views on the legitimacy of Kenya’s presidential elections, saying it was too early to make any pronouncements.
Addressing the media at his official residence in Mahlamba Ndlopfu in Pretoria, following a meeting with outgoing United Nations special envoy to the Democratic Republic of Congo William Swing, Mbeki said commenting on the legitimacy of the Kenyan election would compromise the various initiatives aimed at resolving the East African country’s political challenges.
”Its better to see what the outcome of this process is first. We should not take any steps that will make the resolution of the problem difficult,” he said.
He lauded as a positive move efforts by a delegation of the All Africa Conference of Churches in solidarity with the people of Kenya, aimed at brokering a peace deal between Kenya’s warring factions.
”We support initiatives taken by the All African Conference of Churches led by Archbishop Desmond Tutu,” he said.
Tutu, who is on his way back to South Africa after holding talks with President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Rail Odinga in Kenya, would compile a report on the Kenyan situation.
”We are awaiting a report from the churches,” Mbeki said.
The volatile situation in Kenya was of major concern, Mbeki said
”Its a worrying situation and we are deeply concerned,” he said, adding that it was crucial for a solution to be found. — Sapa