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Stop Kenya burning, says AU head Stop Kenya burning, says AU head
(41 minutes later)
African leaders at their summit in Ethiopia have been told they must get involved with the crisis in Kenya.African leaders at their summit in Ethiopia have been told they must get involved with the crisis in Kenya.
AU commission chairman Alpha Oumar Konare told them they could not just sit by. "If Kenya burns, there will be nothing for tomorrow," he said.AU commission chairman Alpha Oumar Konare told them they could not just sit by. "If Kenya burns, there will be nothing for tomorrow," he said.
More than 850 people have died in political and ethnic clashes since last month's elections, which the opposition says were rigged.More than 850 people have died in political and ethnic clashes since last month's elections, which the opposition says were rigged.
In Nairobi, talks between government and opposition have begun.In Nairobi, talks between government and opposition have begun.
Mr Konare - the AU's top executive - said it was the AU's duty to support the mediation process which is led by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.Mr Konare - the AU's top executive - said it was the AU's duty to support the mediation process which is led by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.
'Special responsibility''Special responsibility'
The current UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged Kenyan leaders to find a peaceful way out.The current UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged Kenyan leaders to find a peaceful way out.
President Mwai Kibaki is at the summit despite opposition protests"President [Mwai] Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga... have a special responsibility to solve the crisis peacefully," he told the summit. Alpha Oumar Konare told African leaders to get involved with Kenya"President [Mwai] Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga... have a special responsibility to solve the crisis peacefully," he told the summit.
In Kenya, an opposition MP has been killed in the Rift Valley town of Eldoret, just as substantive peace talks began in Nairobi.In Kenya, an opposition MP has been killed in the Rift Valley town of Eldoret, just as substantive peace talks began in Nairobi.
Violence broke out after the 27 December presidential elections, which the opposition Orange Democratic Movement says Mr Kibaki's government rigged.Violence broke out after the 27 December presidential elections, which the opposition Orange Democratic Movement says Mr Kibaki's government rigged.
Mr Kibaki is among more than 40 leaders present at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, even though the ODM called on the AU not to recognise him.Mr Kibaki is among more than 40 leaders present at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, even though the ODM called on the AU not to recognise him.
Mr Odinga, by contrast, has not been invited.Mr Odinga, by contrast, has not been invited.
All eyesAll eyes
The BBC's Will Ross, reporting from the conference, says all eyes will be on Mr Kibaki.The BBC's Will Ross, reporting from the conference, says all eyes will be on Mr Kibaki.
President Mwai Kibaki is at the summit despite opposition protests
He says Mr Kibaki is likely to brief at least some of the African leaders on events in Kenya, especially the talks between government and opposition.He says Mr Kibaki is likely to brief at least some of the African leaders on events in Kenya, especially the talks between government and opposition.
The Kenyan crisis may then be pushed away, which could be convenient for an organisation which often struggles to tackle the continent's problems with any great urgency, he says.The Kenyan crisis may then be pushed away, which could be convenient for an organisation which often struggles to tackle the continent's problems with any great urgency, he says.
Despite Mr Konare's plea, the official theme of the AU summit is industrialisation.Despite Mr Konare's plea, the official theme of the AU summit is industrialisation.
But other subjects are likely to includeBut other subjects are likely to include
  • Sudan, where the AU and the UN have promised to create the world's largest peacekeeping force in Darfur
  • Somalia, where members are keen to strengthen the small Ugandan and Burundian forces in the country, and
  • the AU's own internal organisation
  • Sudan, where the AU and the UN have promised to create the world's largest peacekeeping force in Darfur
  • Somalia, where members are keen to strengthen the small Ugandan and Burundian forces in the country, and
  • the AU's own internal organisation
Our correspondent says many Africans hope other urgent issues such as Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo will also be tackled.Our correspondent says many Africans hope other urgent issues such as Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo will also be tackled.