Kenya salutes South Sudan

Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki has congratulated South Sudan ahead of the latter’s independence Saturday.

In a press statement Friday, President Kibaki said the independence of South Sudan was unique and in a way, exemplary.

“It is the culmination of a peaceful, albeit protracted process of direct negotiations between the North and the South, mediated by Kenya on behalf of Igad. It was indeed a process wholly owned by the people of the Sudan and the region.”

South Sudan’s independence comes six years since the signing of the  Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in Nairobi, and seven months after the successful conclusion of the South Sudan referendum that led to the separation of the latter from the North.

“Kenya is proud to have served as an honest broker of the CPA and salute all those behind its successful implementation,’’ President Kibaki said.

“In the same breath, I wish to convey on behalf of the Government and People of Kenya and indeed on my own behalf, hearty congratulations and best wishes to the government and people of the Republic of South Sudan on the auspicious occasion of the declaration of their independence.’’