OBASANJO MOURNS ARAP MOI

Former Nigerian President,Chief  Olusegun Obasanjo, has mourned the late Kenya President, Arap Moi acknowledging his contribution towards the search for international peace, especially in Africa.

Penpushing reports that, Obasanjo in a statement noted the deceased laudable efforts at engendering the successful outcome of the peace negotiations, which he brokered between the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in 2002 which was, indeed, a spectacular breakthrough in the Sudanese negotiation process.

The former President  affirmed that the successful execution of the Machakos Agreement by the two major parties to the Sudanese conflict represented a substantial step in the direction of a just and durable resolution of the long-drawn crisis in the Sudan, the development of which further  confirmed the credibility of the then African leaders’ resolve to bring an end to the marginalization of our continent and their ability to take decisive actions to deal with African persisting problems.

Penpushing further reports that, Obasanjo, in a letter of condolence written to President Uhuru Kenyatta, on the death of the African statesman, on Thursday, said that President Moi “lived a fulfilled life, having served his country energetically in various capacities before he finally became the second President of Kenya from 1978 to 2002.

“A man of principle and commitment, he embodied the virtues of labour. He was accommodating but firm and decisive” the Nigerian former president emphasised

Penpushing also reports that Obasanjo  in the letter, a copy made available by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi on Friday recalled that “under President Moi, Kenya was globally acknowledged as not only a frontline State that had widespread influence in cementing East African countries like Uganda and Tanzania into coherent trading block, but also one of the few African countries that have served as a beacon for hope of African Renaissance.

“As part of concerted efforts at implementing the New Partnership for African Development  (NEPAD), an African initiative in which Nigeria was a leading catalyst, and designed to forge a new partnership among ourselves and between Africa and the international community and one which would serve as an African strategy for achieving sustainable development in the 21st century, President Moi facilitated a Summit of Heads of State and Government in his sub-region ahead of G8 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, held on June 26 to 28, 2002 to enable dialogue on NEPAD and to arrive at common objectives and chart the future for the initiative both in his sub-region and Africa as a whole”.

“This also enabled Africa present a unified position at the G8 Summit. Indeed, his commitment, understanding, foresight and willingness to champion the cause of NEPAD cannot go unrecognized. I join the Government and the people of Kenya as well as millions of others around the world in mourning a man, who, in his very eventful political life, did much to shape the political tapestry of not only Kenya, but also that of Africa and, by extension, the world at large,” Obasanjo was quoted as having said.