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

KHARTOUM, Sudan – Sources close to a UN reconnaissance mission in Sudan say a major assault by the Sudanese army and allied militias left two Darfur towns badly damaged by fire.  The International Committee of the Red Cross has also confirmed the attack, and states that one of its Sudanese staff members was killed in the offensive.  Aid group MSF Switzerland has also confirmed the attack and said a small number of its staff has gone missing. 

The government forces attacked the western towns of Abu Surouj, Sirba and Suleisa on Friday in an effort to clear out fighters from the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).  A source close to the UN/AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) said that Abu Surouj and Sirba were “partially burned down.”  An investigation mission confirmed the Friday attacks and said helicopter gunships were seen and witnesses said they were attacked “by men riding on horseback accompanied by vehicles.”

Meanwhile, West Darfuris have been caught up in violent clashes between Sudan’s Armed Forces, insurgent groups, and the forces of neighboring Chad.  The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said on Monday that it is estimated that 12,000 people fled the milita attacks from Darfur into Chad, which is still recovering from an attempted coup last week.  Chad threatened to expel the refugees on Monday, saying their presence was threatening security. 

For more information, please see:

Reuters – U.N. says Darfur towns burned in government attacks – 12 February 2008

CNN.com – New wave of Darfur refugees flee into Chad – 12 February 2008

NAIROBI, Kenya – Talks and hopes resumed today for the third week of negotiations to end the chaos and violence in Kenya. Raila Odinga’s comment during the funeral of slain legislator David Kimutai Too on Saturday, to remain steadfast on the issue of President Kibaki’s resignation, renewed fears that an agreement would not be reached and the violence would continue.

However, today former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and mediators remained positive that mediation would resume and a deal could be met within two to three days. Annan has invited both sides to meet privately outside Nairobi and to refrain from discussing negotiation issues with anyone.   

The possible solutions that have circulated are: 1) a power-sharing government with Odinga becoming Prime Minister or 2) a joint presidential term of five years in which Kibaki rules the first half of the term with Odinga completing it.

Along with political talks, issues such as the humanitarian crisis stemming from the post election violence will also be discussed. A UN envoy led by Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes visited several hot-zones in Kenya for three days. An estimated 600,000 have been displaced by the violence and about 300,000 were in make-shift camps. The UN has appealed for $42 million (£21.6 million) from the international donor community.

For more information please see:

AllAfrica.com – Hopes for a Breakthrough in the Post-Election Crisis – 11 February 2007

Reuters: Africa- Annan Hopes for Kenya Talks Result in 2-3 Days – 11 February 2007

BBC- Some 600,000 Displaced in Kenya – 11 February 2008

NAIROBI, Kenya – Talks and hopes resumed today for the third week of negotiations to end the chaos and violence in Kenya. Raila Odinga’s comment during the funeral of slain legislator David Kimutai Too on Saturday, to remain steadfast on the issue of President Kibaki’s resignation, renewed fears that an agreement would not be reached and the violence would continue.

However, today former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and mediators remained positive that mediation would resume and a deal could be met within two to three days. Annan has invited both sides to meet privately outside Nairobi and to refrain from discussing negotiation issues with anyone.   

The possible solutions that have circulated are: 1) a power-sharing government with Odinga becoming Prime Minister or 2) a joint presidential term of five years in which Kibaki rules the first half of the term with Odinga completing it.

Along with political talks, issues such as the humanitarian crisis stemming from the post election violence will also be discussed. A UN envoy led by Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes visited several hot-zones in Kenya for three days. An estimated 600,000 have been displaced by the violence and about 300,000 were in make-shift camps. The UN has appealed for $42 million (£21.6 million) from the international donor community.

For more information please see:

AllAfrica.com – Hopes for a Breakthrough in the Post-Election Crisis – 11 February 2007

Reuters: Africa- Annan Hopes for Kenya Talks Result in 2-3 Days – 11 February 2007

BBC- Some 600,000 Displaced in Kenya – 11 February 2008

NAIROBI, Kenya – Talks and hopes resumed today for the third week of negotiations to end the chaos and violence in Kenya. Raila Odinga’s comment during the funeral of slain legislator David Kimutai Too on Saturday, to remain steadfast on the issue of President Kibaki’s resignation, renewed fears that an agreement would not be reached and the violence would continue.

However, today former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and mediators remained positive that mediation would resume and a deal could be met within two to three days. Annan has invited both sides to meet privately outside Nairobi and to refrain from discussing negotiation issues with anyone.   

The possible solutions that have circulated are: 1) a power-sharing government with Odinga becoming Prime Minister or 2) a joint presidential term of five years in which Kibaki rules the first half of the term with Odinga completing it.

Along with political talks, issues such as the humanitarian crisis stemming from the post election violence will also be discussed. A UN envoy led by Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes visited several hot-zones in Kenya for three days. An estimated 600,000 have been displaced by the violence and about 300,000 were in make-shift camps. The UN has appealed for $42 million (£21.6 million) from the international donor community.

For more information please see:

AllAfrica.com – Hopes for a Breakthrough in the Post-Election Crisis – 11 February 2007

Reuters: Africa- Annan Hopes for Kenya Talks Result in 2-3 Days – 11 February 2007

BBC- Some 600,000 Displaced in Kenya – 11 February 2008