Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Mutula Kilonzo confers with Kenya Law Reforms Commission chairman Mr Kathurima M'Inoti (right). He said there was no hurry for the formation of a local tribunal to prosecute perpetrators of the post-election violence. Photo/HEZRON NJOROGE
IN SUMMARY
- Delay occasioned by various “circumstances that the whole world should understand,” says Justice minister.
- Mr Annan’s threat to take the envelope to The Hague has also received backing from US President Barack Obama’s administration.
The Kenya Government is in no hurry to form a local tribunal to try post-election violence suspects, Justice minister Mutula Kilonzo has said.
Mr Kilonzo said the delay has been occasioned by various “circumstances that the whole world should understand.”
He added that he would present the programme on the establishment of the court when he meets Mr Annan, former United Nations secretary-general, in Geneva next month.
“I will make sure we form the local tribunal at all cost. However, if the cost is to split Kenya then I will not do it. I am not going to tell Mr Annan to go slow on the matter. I will lay down the facts,” said Mr Kilonzo.
The minister’s remarks make it difficult for Kenya to set up the tribunal before the August deadline given by chief mediator Kofi Annan.
Mr Annan has warned that he will hand over the list of key suspects to the International Criminal Court (ICC) if the tribunal is not in place by then.
Mr Kilonzo said the government would take its time in setting up the special court to ensure that it serves its purpose and does not split the country.
Last week, the former UN chief said he was in consultation with President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, noting that the country had until the end of August to form the tribunal.
On Sunday, Mr Odinga warned that Parliament had only one more chance to create the special court before Mr Annan refers the matter to The Hague.
Mr Annan’s threat to take the envelope to The Hague has also received backing from US President Barack Obama’s administration.
Credit: Daily Nation
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment