UN REINSTATES SOUTH SUDAN’S COMMANDER-SHIP TO KENYA.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta with the new UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Sunday January 29 ,2017.

BY SAM ALFAN.

The United Nations has extended an olive branch to the Kenyan government in a row that saw President Kenyatta order the withdrawal of Kenyan troops from war-torn South Sudan.

UN agreed to repair its checkered relations in a bilateral meeting between President Uhuru Kenyatta and new UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Kenya played a key role in South Sudan peace process which was recognized as a milestone in ensuring there is harmony within the East Africa community.

“I want the United Nations to be reconciled with Kenya. Let us make a fresh start. Kenya is a very important player in the region,” Guterres told President Kenyatta.

Kenya withdrew its troops from the UN mission in South Sudan in November 2016 after its mission commander was relegated without consulting the mission.

“I feel that we have to work together to secure peace and security. Let us put the past behind us,” the UN chief said.

He added that the United Nations has full confidence in Kenya’s Military.

“As a sign of our confidence in the Kenya Defence Forces, and in the Kenyan government, the UN would like to offer Kenya the Darfur command,” Guterres added.

President Kenyatta said he is looking forward to senior officials from both sides meeting in Addis Ababa to work out details of the new engagement.

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