Raila urges neutrality in Sudan crisis

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga  has cautioned presidents Uhuru Kenyatta, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn not to take sides in the conflict in South Sudan.

Speaking in Kisumu during the signing of his book, The Flame of Freedom, Saturday, Mr Odinga also called for dialogue between South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek  Machar to stop the young  country from going to war.

“We want the leaders in South Sudan to embrace dialogue and prevent a humanitarian crisis being caused by the unrest in the country,” Mr Odinga said.

He added that the leaders from countries bordering South Sudan must move in swiftly to resolve the crisis but remain neutral.

CONDEMN VIOLENCE

“The heads of states neighbouring South Sudan must come out and openly condemn the violence on the residents. There is need for concerted peace efforts to restore order without having to take sides with any of the warring factions,” he said.

The Cord leader also said that the leadership of the African states must work tirelessly to end the inadequacies being felt among the youth who are the future leaders after the current generation fades away.

“Let us remind our leaders that the promises made to the people during elections remain embedded in their hearts; for instance the news that more than 100,000 civil servants will be sacked is not a good message at all,” said Mr Odinga.

The Cord leader further called on leaders to ensure that African democracies are built on issues that pave way for giving back to the young people without having leaders to tell the youth what to do.