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Former PM Raila Odinga to lead urgent CORD talks on International Criminal Court
By Alex Ndegwa and Geoffrey Mosoku
Nairobi, Kenya: Former Prime Minister and Coalition for Reforms and Democracy co-principal Raila Odinga will Tuesday lead emergency talks involving opposition MPs over the ICC dilemma facing President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The special sitting of the CORD leaders comes two weeks before President Uhuru Kenyattas scheduled appearance at The Hague-based court for his trial.
Discussions at the joint meeting of the National Executive Council, the coalitions decision-making organ, and Parliamentary Group will centre on the latest bi-partisan push by MPs to support the governments quest to have the Kenyan ICC cases deferred.
Kenya, through an African Union-backed petition, has asked the UN Security Council to suspend the legal proceedings against Uhuru and his deputy William Ruto, citing threats to regional peace and security.
No common stand so far
Kenya lobbied its case at consultative meetings to rally the UNSC to support the petition, which gained urgency after ICC judges last Friday ruled Ruto must attend all his trial sessions and the prosecution indicated it will press for a similar requirement for Uhuru who is excused from continuous attendance. Uhurus trial starts November 12.
Raila confirmed that the CORD meeting scheduled for Nairobi will deliberate on the latest efforts by a section of MPs from various parties to seek a common position over the issue that has divided the opposition and ruling Jubilee alliance.
Speaking at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Saturday night on arrival from a weeklong tour of the US, Raila said Tuesdays meeting will discuss the proposal and come up with a common position.
We cannot give you our position now. We have called for a special session of the PG and NEC on Tuesday. Its after the meeting that we shall state our position on the matter, said Raila, when asked about the coalitions views on ongoing talks.
Last week The Standard reported MPs from both coalitions were working on a bi-partisan plan to shore up Kenyas bid to have the ICC cases against Uhuru and Ruto suspended.
At least 25 MPs initiated the talks to provide a bi-partisan backing for the governments petition to the UNSC for deferral of the cases for one- year. The MPs are pressing for an Inter-Party Parliamentary Group (IPPG) forum to broker a deal on the ICC cases. Citing the AU-backed petition to the UNSC, the MPs say it would be critical for Parliament to provide bi-partisan backing for this process.
Standard Digital News - Kenya : Former PM Raila Odinga to lead urgent CORD talks on International Criminal Court
By Alex Ndegwa and Geoffrey Mosoku
Nairobi, Kenya: Former Prime Minister and Coalition for Reforms and Democracy co-principal Raila Odinga will Tuesday lead emergency talks involving opposition MPs over the ICC dilemma facing President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The special sitting of the CORD leaders comes two weeks before President Uhuru Kenyattas scheduled appearance at The Hague-based court for his trial.
Discussions at the joint meeting of the National Executive Council, the coalitions decision-making organ, and Parliamentary Group will centre on the latest bi-partisan push by MPs to support the governments quest to have the Kenyan ICC cases deferred.
Kenya, through an African Union-backed petition, has asked the UN Security Council to suspend the legal proceedings against Uhuru and his deputy William Ruto, citing threats to regional peace and security.
No common stand so far
Kenya lobbied its case at consultative meetings to rally the UNSC to support the petition, which gained urgency after ICC judges last Friday ruled Ruto must attend all his trial sessions and the prosecution indicated it will press for a similar requirement for Uhuru who is excused from continuous attendance. Uhurus trial starts November 12.
Raila confirmed that the CORD meeting scheduled for Nairobi will deliberate on the latest efforts by a section of MPs from various parties to seek a common position over the issue that has divided the opposition and ruling Jubilee alliance.
Speaking at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Saturday night on arrival from a weeklong tour of the US, Raila said Tuesdays meeting will discuss the proposal and come up with a common position.
We cannot give you our position now. We have called for a special session of the PG and NEC on Tuesday. Its after the meeting that we shall state our position on the matter, said Raila, when asked about the coalitions views on ongoing talks.
Last week The Standard reported MPs from both coalitions were working on a bi-partisan plan to shore up Kenyas bid to have the ICC cases against Uhuru and Ruto suspended.
At least 25 MPs initiated the talks to provide a bi-partisan backing for the governments petition to the UNSC for deferral of the cases for one- year. The MPs are pressing for an Inter-Party Parliamentary Group (IPPG) forum to broker a deal on the ICC cases. Citing the AU-backed petition to the UNSC, the MPs say it would be critical for Parliament to provide bi-partisan backing for this process.
Standard Digital News - Kenya : Former PM Raila Odinga to lead urgent CORD talks on International Criminal Court