East African bloc, Igad, has praised Kenyan President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga for agreeing to hold talks aimed at ending two weeks of protests about the cost of living and electoral reforms.

On Sunday, Odinga said that his Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition had called off its protests planned for Monday in response to what he called an olive branch from President Ruto.

In a Twitter post, Igad executive secretary Workneh Gebeyehu said the two leaders’ move would help “resolve differences on national issues through peaceful means and preserve Kenya’s unity and constitutional order”.

The cancelled opposition demonstrations would have been the latest in a series of protests held on Mondays and Thursdays.

Source: bbc.com