By Myriam Clerge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Eastern and Southern Africa

NAIROBI, Kenya – Today, several schools in Kenya were reopened after weeks of shutdown due to rioting and looting following the December 27 presidential election. Children walking to school were a positive sign of normality in Kenya, despite the deep tension within the nation. Unfortunately, the image of progress may fade within next couple of days.

On Tuesday, the newly elected parliament is expected to meet and sit since the election. This is the first time the feuding parties will meet diplomatically. President Mwai Kibaki’s party, Party of National Unity (PNU), won 43 seats in parliament. His rival, Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) won 99 seats. Political analysts worry the country may continue to stand still since, Kibaki must get his bills passed through a parliament whose majority believes his administration is illegitimate.

Some opposition officials have vowed to occupy seats by force if necessary.

In response to Tuesday’s parliamentary assembly and the possibility of violence, the police, who have been accused by human rights workers of killing protesters, plan to barricade streets in the area to block any trouble outside.

Meanwhile, former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan is on his way from Geneva to Kenya to assist in mediation. Kibaki and his cabinet have already expressed their disinterest in outside mediation, after the United States and African Union failed to resolve the issue last week. Before leaving Geneva, Annan appealed to Kenya to remain calm during Tuesday’s assembly and the three day nationwide ODM rally due to start on Wednesday, despite the ban by police.

Western governments, including the United States, Britain and France, have expressed belief that the presidential ballot was flawed.  Kibaki’s rejection of outside mediation may continue to tarnish Kenya’s previous close relationship with the West.

Today, the European Union (EU) announced that it may suspend all aid and impose sanctions if mediation efforts to resolve the crisis failed. During 2002 and 2007, the EU provided 290 million euros ($431.1 million) in aid to Kenya. Another 383 million euros was planned for 2008-2013.

For more information please see:

Reuters: Africa – EU Could Cut Aid to Kenya- Senior Official – 14 January 2008

Reuters: Africa – Kenya’s Feuding Party Face Parliamentary Shutdown – 14 January 2008

Yahoo News (AP) – Kenya Minister Rejects Annan’s Mediation – 14 January 2008