ODM, envoy write parallel letters to UN over deferral quest

By Alex NdegwaODM maintained its opposition to the bid in a terse letter sent yesterday to Mr Li Baodong, President of the UN Security Council, responding to an earlier communication by Kenyan authorities suggesting a change of heart.
Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the UN Macharia Kamau had written to Li Baodong on Wednesday, saying ODM had adopted a decision to push for the ICC cases on the Ocampo Six to be handled through a credible local mechanism.
Mr Macharia told the Chinese envoy the resolution was reached on Tuesday during ODM’s National Executive Council/Parliamentary Group meeting chaired by Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
"I believe this development is of material importance to Kenya’s appeal to the Security Council. I would like, therefore, further to the request of 4 March, 2011, to request the Security Council to hold an open meeting as soon as possible in order to further consider Kenya’s request for deferral," Macharia wrote.
He reminded Li Baodong that a key concern of members of the council expressed during an interactive dialogue was that Kenya’s request did not seem to enjoy the support of both sides of the Coalition Government.
Macharia added the deferral would greatly enhance the ability of the country to complete its reform programme, including putting in place a local tribunal to investigate and prosecute post-poll violence cases.
Last week, an informal meeting of the UN Security Council was not persuaded that Kenya’s plea met conditions for a deferral under Article 16 on threats to international peace and security, with disagreements between the coalition partners partly fuelling the rejection.
But yesterday Nyong’o, ODM’s secretary general, wrote back to Li Baodong, saying the party’s position had not changed.
"I would like to categorically refute the Permanent Representative’s assertions that there is a new position that has been arrived at by ODM that means we support the deferral request," he stated.
Nyong’o noted the envoy rightly acknowledged concerns that Kenya’s request did not enjoy the support of both sides of the Coalition Government.