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Kenya crisis talks end in failure | Kenya crisis talks end in failure |
(10 minutes later) | |
Talks conducted by Ghanaian President John Kufuor to end Kenya's political crisis have broken down, opposition and government sources have said. | Talks conducted by Ghanaian President John Kufuor to end Kenya's political crisis have broken down, opposition and government sources have said. |
Mr Kufuor had been hoping to broker a deal between President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga after last month's disputed elections. | Mr Kufuor had been hoping to broker a deal between President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga after last month's disputed elections. |
Instead, Mr Kufuor said both sides had agreed to work together under a panel to be headed by ex-UN chief Kofi Annan. | Instead, Mr Kufuor said both sides had agreed to work together under a panel to be headed by ex-UN chief Kofi Annan. |
About 600 people have died in unrest which followed the poll. | About 600 people have died in unrest which followed the poll. |
In addition to those killed, some 250,000 are feared displaced by the violence following the 27 December election in Kenya - previously seen as a relative beacon of stability in East Africa. | In addition to those killed, some 250,000 are feared displaced by the violence following the 27 December election in Kenya - previously seen as a relative beacon of stability in East Africa. |
'Eminent personalities' | 'Eminent personalities' |
Earlier, police fired tear gas to disperse a group of about 100 women who were protesting about the election. | |
Both sides agreed there should be an end to the violence and they also agreed there should be dialogue John Kufuor Tough task for diplomacy | |
Some of them lay down and stripped to their bras, shouting "Shame on you" at the riot police, reports the Reuters news agency. | |
A government spokesman confirmed that Mr Kufuor was leaving the country with no sign of success. | A government spokesman confirmed that Mr Kufuor was leaving the country with no sign of success. |
He had spent hours in a meeting with Mr Odinga but had been unable to persuade him to meet Mr Kibaki, the spokesman said. | He had spent hours in a meeting with Mr Odinga but had been unable to persuade him to meet Mr Kibaki, the spokesman said. |
Mr Kibaki had invited his rival to hold face-to-face talks on Friday but Mr Odinga refused, unless the talks were led by international mediators. | Mr Kibaki had invited his rival to hold face-to-face talks on Friday but Mr Odinga refused, unless the talks were led by international mediators. |
But the Ghanaian president seemed more upbeat, although it is not clear when the new panel would start work. | |
"The parties agreed to work together with a panel of eminent African personalities headed by Mr Kofi Annan... towards resolving their differences and all other outstanding issues including constitutional and electoral reforms," he said. | "The parties agreed to work together with a panel of eminent African personalities headed by Mr Kofi Annan... towards resolving their differences and all other outstanding issues including constitutional and electoral reforms," he said. |
Displaced Kenyans' fears about returning homeIn pictures | |
"Both sides agreed there should be an end to the violence and they also agreed there should be dialogue." | "Both sides agreed there should be an end to the violence and they also agreed there should be dialogue." |
The top US official for Africa, Jendayi Frazer, and four former African presidents have also been in Nairobi, trying to seek a solution to the crisis. | |
Mr Kibaki maintains he won the election fairly, but Mr Odinga says it was stolen. | Mr Kibaki maintains he won the election fairly, but Mr Odinga says it was stolen. |
Earlier Mr Kibaki swore in members of a new cabinet, though some minor posts have been left vacant, leading to speculation that these could be offered to the opposition. | Earlier Mr Kibaki swore in members of a new cabinet, though some minor posts have been left vacant, leading to speculation that these could be offered to the opposition. |
Mr Odinga has so far refused to recognise the cabinet or participate in a government of national unity, saying Mr Kibaki should step down. | Mr Odinga has so far refused to recognise the cabinet or participate in a government of national unity, saying Mr Kibaki should step down. |