Raila asks AU to send troops to Zimbabwe

Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Sunday petitioned the African Union to summon an urgent Heads of States summit to authorise the deployment of AU troops to resolve the Zimbabwean crisis.

Mr Odinga described the crisis as “nothing less than a crime against humanity,” and announced that he would raise the issue at the next Cabinet meeting.

Last week, Mr Odinga held closed-door meetings with the leader of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress, Mr Jacob Zuma, and Mr Tsvangirai, separately in Nairobi, and discussed the crisis at length.

Personal stand

Asked whether his position on Zimbabwe was shared by President Kibaki, Mr Odinga said it was a personal stand.

Said the PM: “We usually speak as a Government after consultation. The President is free to speak on this issue as he so wishes, I don’t see a contradiction.”

On a proposal by former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who brokered the controversial Zimbabwe power-sharing deal, that an African solution should be sought to address the crisis, Mr Odinga differed with him saying human rights and governance issues must be addressed using international standards.

The PM said he was unhappy with the “kid gloves” manner in which the AU and the South African Development Corporation was handling the issue saying the human rights of the Zimbabweans were being trodden on every day.