Former President Uhuru Kenyatta will skip talks for the resolution of the conflict in Ethiopia pitting  Abiy Ahmed’s government against Tigray rebels opposed to his government under the banner of Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF). The talks were slated for Saturday 15th in South Africa.

The former head of state communicated to the African Union, who are the conveners of the peace talks through a letter to the AU chairman Moussa Faki. President Kenyatta cited a clash in his calendar as the reason why he wont be attending because he will be having other engagements.

Former President Uhuru who was appointed Kenya’s top peace envoy by President William Ruto, was supposed to co-chair the peace talks with former Nigerian president Olesegun Obasanjo in a bid to resolve the differences that degenerated into armed conflict which began in early 2020.

Uhuru Kenyatta who has since assumed a low profile since handing over power to President William Ruto has however called for him to be furnished  with what he termed as the  “rules of engagement” for any future peace talks so as to aid in his preparations and participation.

In the letter, Former President Kenyatta also urged both sides of the conflict to lay down their arms and seek a peaceful resolution to their differences which are threatening to tear down the East African nation with over 130 million inhabitants.

“Furthermore, as we discuss the agenda for the talks, it is my hope that among the most urgent issues high on that agenda will be the immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities,” he stated.

“This silencing of the guns is particularly important in order to avail the right conditions for the consultations and negotiations while alleviating human suffering and allowing for continued access to humanitarian assistance.” Read part of the letter.