By Myriam Clerge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Eastern and Southern Africa
NAIROBI, Kenya – African Union chief and Ghanaian President John Kufuor left Nairobi yesterday without resolving the standoff between President Mwai Kibaki and opponent Raila Odinga. The three-day conference, aimed at mediating the political conflict that has sparked a humanitarian crisis, ended disappointingly with trades of accusations rather than discussions of mediation. Both sides have however, agreed to finding an end to the violence that have left nearly 600 people dead, more than 250,000 displaced, and roughly 500,000 in need of humanitarian aid.
As President Kufuor and the AU chief leave the country, Former U.N. head Kofi Annan, Graca Machel, wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela, and former Tanzanian leader Ben Mkapa are expected to take their place as mediators. In a report, Annan said “[w]e are not going to impose solutions but work together with [Kibaki and Odinga] to arrive at viable and long-lasting solutions to the problem in hopes of coming to a mediated settlement.”
However, a Kenyan government spokesman said that Kibaki is not interested in a mediated settlement but prefers a face-to-face talk with Odinga. Odinga has refused all invitations to sit down one-on-one with Kibaki, who he says robbed him of the presidency by rigging the December 27 presidential polls.
According to spokesman Alfred Mutua, although Kibaki welcomes anyone who will “facilitate dialogue” with Odinga, he has taken the position that a crisis does not exist that requires mediators.
Both sides have rejected the idea of a coalition government.
Kibaki has continued business as usual. On Thursday, Kibaki swore in 17 ministers as part of a partial cabinet and has recalled the parliament. Even the World Bank has recognized Kibaki as the leader of Kenya.
In an effort to keep the momentum of his movement, Odinga has called on a three-day nationwide protest. Despite the fact that police have banned all political rallies and past protests have led to riots, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) secretary general Anyang’ Nyong’o says Kenyans have every right to protest peacefully.
The ongoing unrest has damaged Kenya’s reputation as east Africa’s most stable and booming economy. One local reporter wrote, “Our leaders are stuck in mortal combat, unable to rise above their ambitions and put the interests of the country and the people first.”
For more information please see:
AllAfrica.com- Kenya: Peace Talks Deadlock – 11 January 2008
Reuters: Africa- Kenya Opposition Calls Wave of Protests – 11 January 2008
Yahoo News- Kenya Crisis Talks Fail as Crisis Deepens – 10 January 2008
