Moi calls for “acceptable” autonomy

At the end of the visit by the President Daniel arap Moi of Kenya to Khartoum, Sudan, the two governments issued a joint communiqué, the Sudanese News Agency (Suna) said on 30 March. The communiqué said talks between Moi and Sudanese President Umar al-Bashir had focused on ways to “re-invigorate” the peace process for southern Sudan. The two sides agreed to hold a summit of the regional Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) committee on southern Sudan as soon as possible, Suna said. The two presidents said there was need for progress in the peace initiative to achieve a “permanent and just peace”.

During the talks, Moi suggested that the Sudanese government include freedom of religion and worship in its constitution, the government-run Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) radio said. He also suggested that southern Sudan be granted autonomy, within an “acceptable non-federal or federal structure”, KBC said.

Moi also visited the Petroleum Research Centre in Khartoum and the refinery at Al-Jayli, north of Khartoum. He congratulated Sudan on becoming a “leading petroleum producer”, KBC radio said. Moi called for the promotion of trade between Sudan and Kenya and within regional trade bodies like the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa).