Assembly/AU/3 (X) Page 19 movement forward, as the parties positions remained far apart: while Morocco insisted on its proposal of autonomy for the Territory, within the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom, the Frente POLISARIO argued for a free and fair referendum of self-determination, in accordance with the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and relevant resolutions of the United Nations. 84. It is against this background that the United Nations Security Council, on 31 October 2007, adopted resolution 1783 (2007), by which it called upon the two parties “to continue to show political will and work in an atmosphere propitious for dialogue in order to engage in substantive negotiations, thus ensuring implementation of resolution 1754 (2007) and the success of negotiations”. The Security Council further called upon the parties “to continue negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary-General without preconditions and in good faith, taking account of the efforts made since 2006 and developments of the last months, with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in the context of arrangements consistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, noting the role and responsibility of the parties in this respect”. 85. As a follow-up to this resolution, the parties have yet again met in Manhasset, New York, from 7 to 9 January 2008, for the third round of negotiations. While no breakthrough was registered, the two sides did however agree to meet, at the same venue, between 11 and 13 March 2008, to continue with the dialogue. m) Post-Electoral Dispute and Violence in Kenya 86. In an unexpected turn of events, Kenya, a country long known for its stability, economic dynamism and progress towards democracy, witnessed a dramatic deterioration of the political and security conditions in the aftermath of the presidential election of 27 December 2007. Indeed, while, by all acounts, the voting had been impressively orderly and peaceful, the announcement of the results by the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK), which declared the incumbant President, Mwai Kibaki, winner against Raila Odinga of the opposition’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), was followed by massive violence with serious humanitarian and socioeconomic impact. The ODM rejected the outcome, accusing the Government of having rigged the results. Since then, and in spite of all the efforts made so far, Kenya has been faced with continued tension. 87. It is against this background that the Chairperson of the Union, President John Kufuor, travelled to Kenya from 8 to 10 January 2008, with a view to assisting in defusing the tension, bringing an end to the violence and facilitating the efforts aimed at finding a solution to the post-election dispute. On that occasion, President Kufuor met with both parties, with whom he agreed that a group of eminent African Elders led by the former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, would be established to undertake the mediation efforts. Since then, Mr. Kofi Annan has arrived in Nairobi and met with the parties. On 22 January 2008, the Commissioner for Peace and Security undertook a visit to Nairobi to express AU’s support for the mediation efforts led by Mr. Kofi Annan, and see how best the Commission could further assist these efforts. During his visit, the Commissioner witnessed the meeting, failitated by Mr. Kofi Annan, between President Mwai Kibaki and Mr. Raila

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