Managing Director East African Educational Publishers Ltd.

Author: Waithaka Waihenya

Gen. Lazaro Sumbeiywo

Kenya's Second President H.E. Daniel arap Moi

   The Mediator : Unmasking the Sudanese Peace Process

Kenway Publications, an imprint of East African Educational Publishers, has released The Mediator. This is the first time a book has been written on the subject since the peace deal was reached between the Sudanese government at Khartoum and the SPLM/A.

The focuses on the man who helped broker the peace deal that brought to an end over two decades of civil war in Sudan . Gen Lazaro Sumbeiywo.

The Mediator: Gen. Lazaro Sumbeiywo and the Southern Sudan Peace Process , is written by an award-winning journalist Waithaka Waihenya. It lays bare the intrigues and the hurdles that surrounded the process since the Second President of the Republic of Kenya , Daniel Toroitich arap Moi, called the General from military duty to serve as the mediator in the crucial process.

The former President was the guest of honour during the colorful launch of the book at the Nakumatt Junction Complex, Ngong Road , Nairobi , on September 6 th . In a speech delivered during the launch of the book, Moi said that the peace process stands as evidence that the problems bedeviling Africa can find solutions, not in foreign countries, but in the minds and hearts of Africans themselves.

He went on to praise East African Educational Publishers for letting the African tell his story through its imprint, Kenway Publications. He also paid glowing post-humous tribute to the late John Garang (SPLA/M leader), the Sudan President Omar El-Bashir, Vice President Osman Taha, and all other people who jointly worked towards the Southern Sudan peace deal.

During the event, EAEP's Managing Director, Mr. Muriuki Njeru, encouraged those who have been involved in crucial events in the history of Africa to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the company (which is undoubtedly the home of the African story) and share with the rest of the world their experiences and successes.

The launch of The Mediator was graced by Kalonzo Musyoka (who was the minister for foreign affairs during the Southern Sudan peace process) among other leading diplomatic, political and literary luminaries from Africa , whose contributions in the peace process are well documented in this masterfully written biographical work.

The book also gives details about General Sumbeiywo's upbringing. It touches on events in his early life that prepared him for the seemingly paradoxical feat as one of the most successful peace brokers in Africa , and at the same time a military man who rose through the ranks to become assistant Chief of General staff and later, military intelligence officer.

In another interesting revelation, the book shows how countries in the region were determined to intervene in the Sudan to ensure that cessation of hostilities between SPLM/A and government forces was realized.

Barely days after its launch, the book has caused shockwaves in many quarters as it reveals fresh details on the role General Sumbeiywo played during the historic occasion of the hand over of power to President Mwai Kibaki. On the International scene, the book is also being received well as scholars, conflict management experts and other interested parties seek its fresh and rich content for research purposes. General Lazaro Sumbeiywo will be leaving the country on 9 th September 8, 2006 on a US Tour where he will elaborate more on the Peace Making process.

EAEP is proud to be associated with this great effort and will surely continue to give voice to the African side of the story, if only to highlight some of the successes that might have been buried in oblivion forever had a locally-owned publishing firm not come in to let African writers celebrate successful African efforts such as Gen. Sumbeiywo's role in the Southern Sudan Peace Process.

The book retails at Kshs 1,200.00 in local bookshops and US$ 25 with a 10% freight charge on the international market.

The book can also be accessed through our distributors:

In the United States of America , USA

Michigan State University Press,

1405 South Harrison Road, Suite 25 , East Lansing , MI 48823-5245 , USA

Tel: +1-517 3559543 Fax: +1-517 4322611 or 800 6782120
msup@msu.edu

In Canada and Europe :

The African Book Collective

Tel: +44-(0)1865-726686 Fax: +44-(0)1865-793298

orders@africanbookscollective.com

ORDER YOUR COPY NOW!

East African Educational Publishers LTD.
P.O.Box 45314-00100, Nairobi
Tel: +254 20 444 4700, 444 5260 Fax: 444 8753
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