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Sunday, the 27th of January 2013 - President Mwai Kibaki today briefed other African heads of state at the African Union on the progress Kenya has made so far in overhauling its legal framework.
The President told the 20th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union that Kenya has implemented a constitution that recognizes the rights of all its citizens and provides the foundation of reforming other institutions of the state;
“I am pleased to report that the executive arm of Government, working in partnership with Parliament and the Judiciary, has complied with all the implementation time-lines the Constitution had set,” said Kibaki.
“Let us work hard to improve the socio-economic welfare of our people, create employment for our youth, and guarantee peace and security on our continent. This is Africa’s aspiration. Together we can achieve it.”
Kibaki also drew the attention of the assembly to the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and how it recognizes peace and democracy as essential ingredients for a functioning democracy;
“Article 11 of the Charter demands that State Parties develop the necessary legislative and policy frameworks to establish and strengthen a culture of democracy and peace,” he said.
Kibaki said that Kenya recognizes that the African Union as the most important cog of its foreign policy agenda;
“For this reason, we have attended all regular AU Sessions beginning from the 2nd Ordinary Session in July 2003 to the present 22nd Ordinary Session,” he said
The President said that Africa should aim for a continent-wide free trade agreement;
“To this end, let us rededicate our efforts towards the creation of a Grand Free Trade Area for Africa,” he said.
The Kenyan DAILY POST