By Elizabeth Costner
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Africa
NAIROBI, Kenya – The death toll in Kenya passed 1,000 on Tuesday according to the Red Cross. Political rivals are continuing their negotiations, however there has yet to be a cease in the ethnic violence. Most of the killings have been the result of ethnic killings, police clashes with protestors, and looting. An estimated 340,000 Kenyans have been displaced as a result of the conflict that began in December following the disputed re-election of President Mwai Kibaki.
The United Nation’s top human rights official is traveling to Kenya today to assess allegations of grave human rights violations. Louis Arbour, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, will conduct a three-week mission to gather information from both the government, opposition, victims, and witnesses. “Truth and accountability are of critical importance in putting an end to the violence and preventing future human rights violations,” she said.
East African foreign ministers arrived in Kenya today to participate in the peace talks. Meanwhile, the opposition has threatened to boycott and demonstrate against meetings the government plans on holding with the seven-nation regional block IGAD on Thursday. IGAD’s rotating chairmanship is currently held by President Kibaki. The opposition’s argument is that IGAD is too flawed or biased to hold negotiations. Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary General leading the negotiation talks, chided the opposition for threatening action will talks were ongoing.
Due to the deteriorating situation in Kenya, the US Peace Corps has decided to temporarily pull out its remaining 58 volunteers. There are fears that other aid groups and businesses will soon follow. The crisis has also “significantly damaged the domestic economy” according to the U.S. consulting company Global Insight.
For more information, please see:
Reuters – Kenya talks resume, African ministers arrive – 6 February 2008
AP – Kenya Opposition Threatens New Rallies – 6 February 2008
The Press Association – UN official to probe Kenyan violence – 6 February 2008
Times Online – Atrocities in Kenya must not go unpunished – 6 February 2008
Reuters – Kenya death toll hits 1,000, parties talk – 5 February 2008
