GNA: Kufuor Clinches Deal In Kenya
Talks conducted by President John Kufuor to end Kenya's political crisis have broken down, opposition and government sources have said. Kufuor had been hoping to broker a deal between President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga after last month's disputed elections.
However, Mr Kufuor said both sides had agreed to work together under a panel headed by ex-UN chief Kofi Annan.
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.
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.
But the Ghanaian president seemed more upbeat.
"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.
"Both sides agreed there should be an end to the violence and they also agreed there should be dialogue."
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.
Mr Odinga has so far refused to recognise the cabinet or participate in a government of national unity.
GNA: Kufuor Clinches Deal In Kenya
Talks conducted by President John Kufuor to end Kenya's political crisis have broken down, opposition and government sources have said. Kufuor had been hoping to broker a deal between President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga after last month's disputed elections.
However, Mr Kufuor said both sides had agreed to work together under a panel headed by ex-UN chief Kofi Annan.
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.
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.
But the Ghanaian president seemed more upbeat.
"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.
"Both sides agreed there should be an end to the violence and they also agreed there should be dialogue."
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.
Mr Odinga has so far refused to recognise the cabinet or participate in a government of national unity.
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