Kenya's newly appointed special envoy for peace in the Sudan said Thursday he will do his best to consolidate what had been achieved so far regarding peace and security in the region.
In a statement issued from his office, Kenya's former president Daniel Moi, whose focus would be on south Sudan as well as regional diplomacy, said he was familiar with key players in the Sudan.
Moi noted that the acquaintances coupled with his vast experience in regional initiatives would make it possible to achieve remarkable progress in peace building and would make his role a lot easier.
He pointed out that he had known and worked with President Omar El Bashir of Sudan for many years in the regional peace initiatives.
"I also know key figures of the Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPLA) especially President Salva Kiir of Southern Sudan," Moi said in a statement.
Moi was appointed by his successor, President Mwai Kibaki, on Wednesday to help facilitate north-south peace deal whose implementation is being largely ignored.
President Kibaki said his predecessor "had vast experience and knowledge of African affairs, and that his stature as an elder statesman made him well-suited for the role."
Regional analysts say South Sudan, which is currently implementing a peace agreement to end Africa's longest running civil war with the northern government, is strategically important for Kenya in terms of economic interests.
The ex-Kenyan leader was very instrumental in spearheading the peace talks which culminated into the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)in Nairobi in January 2005.
Moi led the east African nation for 24 years before stepping down after the 2002 elections, in which his Kanu party, Kenya's oldest political party, was defeated.
The former Kenyan leader was criticized for presiding over a government riddled with corruption but during his time, Kenya hosted various peace talks for regional conflicts.
Source: Xinhua
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