Kalonzo, Mubarak root for peaceful Sudan

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka (left) holds discussions with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (right) at the Presidential Palace, Cairo December 28, 2010. The two leaders emphasised the importance of a peaceful Sudan irrespective of the outcome of the upcoming referendum. VPPS  

By VPPSPosted Tuesday, December 28 2010 at 17:54

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak have emphasised the importance of a peaceful Sudan irrespective of the outcome of the upcoming referendum.

In a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Cairo Tuesday, Mr. Mubarak said he has spoken to both President Omar al Bashir and Vice President Silva Kiir, of the need to ensure that the outcome the January 9 referendum-to determine the future the south – does not result in the resumption of hostilities.

“We are committed to working with the leadership of Sudan after the referendum which ever the way the vote goes, in order to ensure that peace prevails," said Mr Musyoka.

Kenya and Egypt have a direct stake in the stability of the greater Sudan because they share borders to the south and to the north respectively.

Kenya also played a key role in midwifing the peace process that lead to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005 in Nairobi.

The two leaders pledged continued support to the leadership of the north and the south in the days leading to the referendum and more so in the post-referendum period.

President Mubarak and the Kenyan VP also discussed continued cooperation between Kenya and Egypt in ensuring that the Nile waters are used for the benefit of all the riparian countries.

Egypt relies almost entirely on the waters of the Nile for the survival of its population.

At the same time, Kenya stands to benefit from more scholarships from Egypt for students pursuing degrees in medicine, pharmacy, engineering and Islamic studies.

This was disclosed during the meeting between Mr Musyoka and Dr Amed El Tayyeb, the Grand Sheik of El Azhar Mosque.

Dr Tayyeb said the scholarships this year has been widened to include secular courses which were only open to students taking Islamic studies.

Mr Musyoka praised Egypt for practicing religious tolerance saying it was heartening that majority Muslims live harmoniously with minority Christians.

The Vice President also met with pop Shenouda of the Coptic Church and thanked him for sponsoring a hospital and health care programs in Kenya.

The Vice President is accompanied by Trade minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere, Water assistant minister Ferdinand Waititu, Foreign Affairs assistant minister Richard Onyonga and MPs Peter Mwathi (Limuru), Mithika Linturi (Igembe) and Isaac Ruto (Chepalungu).