By Elizabeth Costner
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Africa

NAIROBI, Kenya – Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has put Kenya’s crisis talks back on track today after defusing a row over his suggestion for a “grand coalition” government to end the post-election turmoil. 

Annan told Parliament yesterday that a power-sharing government could be a way out of the crisis, sparking criticism from President Mwai Kibaki.  Annan clarified his statement this morning, saying it “represents his perspective on the discussions and does not imply a formal agreement between the two parties.”

The head of the Kenyan government team, Justice Minister Martha Karua, said that Annan undermined the government’s position at the negotiations.  Ms. Karua has said the statements about a possible transitional government for two years, followed by new elections, “caused distress and great embarrassment to them as it had misrepresented their position.” 

Many had thought a power-sharing deal was imminent, however the government’s reaction to Annan’s statement yesterday shows that they are clearly against new elections. 

The talks have been moved from the capital Nairobi to an undisclosed location, and a news blackout has been implemented.  Both parties have declined to comment on the discussions. 

Progress at the talks has given hope to many Kenyans who saw more than 1,000 people die and 600,000 flee their homes due to the violence following the December 27 elections. 

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Kenya government anger with Annan – 13 February 2008

Reuters – Kenyan rivals hunker down in secret for crisis talks – 13 February 2008

AFP – Annan defuses row in Kenya crisis talks – 13 February 2008

AP – Kenyan Politicians Discuss Power-Sharing – 13 February 2008

Reuters – Analysis-Seeds of class war sprout in Kenya’s crisis – 13 February 2008