NAIROBI, Kenya – After three weeks of back and forth talks of a power-sharing resolution, today’s meeting adjourned with a “more or less” agreement to a prime minister post. The details of the agreement have not been confirmed by Kofi Annan, who has been leading the negotiations between mediators for President Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga.

Annan has reported that a broad governance structure and a joint outline have been approved. Also, an amendment to the Kenyan Constitution will likely take place since the prime minister post does not currently exist within it. Oppositions are demanding the post carry a number of responsibilities and a necessary allocation of authority and power.

Although the tentative agreement by both sides is a positive sign that may cease the deadly clashes, the International Crisis Group’s Donald Steinberg is warning against making short-term deals without addressing long-term issues, mainly the division and resentment amongst the ethnic groups.

According to the recent ICG report, Kenya is balancing on the edge of violence until an agreement has been finalized and approved. On Wednesday, the opposition warned of a mass protest unless power-sharing talks continued. Today, a man was hacked to death in a Nairobi slum during a fight between Kiyuyus and Luos.

Odinga’s party and supporters argue that the power-sharing resolution is the only way to end the violence but some fear the compromise may spark new fighting.

Talks are expected to resume on Friday.

For more information please see:

Yahoo News- Kenya OKs Prime Minister for Rivals – 21 February 2008

BBC- Annan Hails Kenya Talks Progress – 21 February 2008