By: Julie K. Narimatsu
Impunity Watch Managing Editor, Journal   

NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenyan legislature approved the constitutional amendment that creates the position of prime minister and two deputies and creates a coalition between the two major parties, President Mwai Kibaki’s Party of National Unity and opposition leader Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement.  In light of the disputed elections late last year that fueled ethnic conflict resulting in the deaths of more than 1,000 and the displacement of 600,000, Kibaki and Odinga originally reached the political deal at the end of February.

The National Accord and Reconciliation Act 2008 names Odinga as the prime minister while Kibaki will retain the presidency.  The Act provides that the cabinet will include the president, vice president, prime minister, two deputy prime ministers and other ministers.  Ministers cannot be discharged without approval from their corresponding party.  The deal stipulates that the two parties will share equal power, however, if one party decides not to participate, the coalition will be disbanded.  The bill does not afford a new election in the event this situation arises.

On a reconciliatory note, both parties have agreed to investigate the violence that occurred directly after the election.  The commission will comprise of independent, international experts who will be appointed by both parties.  This comes after Odinga and his party filed a formal complaint with the International Criminal Court in January accusing Kibaki and his government of using force against opposition demonstrators.  The commission’s work is expected to be completed within three months.

Much of the world has supported the deal, including former Secretary-General of the UN, Kofi Annan, who helped facilitate negotiations between the parties.  Both leaders had urged the National Assembly to approve the legislation.  Odinga recognized Kibaki as president and thanked him for his efforts, while Kibaki requested that Kenyans try to move past the violence of the past few months and move forward.

For more information, please see:

africanews.com – Kenya: MPs endorse amendment – 19 March 2008

BBC News – Kenya MPs support power-sharing – 18 March 2008

The Jurist – Kenya parliament approves power-sharing agreement in bid to end violence – 18 March 2008

impunitywatch.net – Kenya reaches peace deal; its government defends against allegations of planned violence – 5 March 2008

CNN.com – Kenya power deal ‘on the right track’ – 28 February 2008

By: Julie K. Narimatsu
Impunity Watch Managing Editor, Journal

NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenyan legislature approved the constitutional amendment that creates the position of prime minister and two deputies and creates a coalition between the two major parties, President Mwai Kibaki’s Party of National Unity and opposition leader Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement.  In light of the disputed elections late last year that fueled ethnic conflict resulting in the deaths of more than 1,000 and the displacement of 600,000, Kibaki and Odinga originally reached the political deal at the end of February.

The National Accord and Reconciliation Act 2008 names Odinga as the prime minister while Kibaki will retain the presidency.  The Act provides that the cabinet will include the president, vice president, prime minister, two deputy prime ministers and other ministers.  Ministers cannot be discharged without approval from their corresponding party.  The deal stipulates that the two parties will share equal power, however, if one party decides not to participate, the coalition will be disbanded.  The bill does not afford a new election in the event this situation arises.

On a reconciliatory note, both parties have agreed to investigate the violence that occurred directly after the election.  The commission will comprise of independent, international experts who will be appointed by both parties.  This comes after Odinga and his party filed a formal complaint with the International Criminal Court in January accusing Kibaki and his government of using force against opposition demonstrators.  The commission’s work is expected to be completed within three months.

Much of the world has supported the deal, including former Secretary-General of the UN, Kofi Annan, who helped facilitate negotiations between the parties.  Both leaders had urged the National Assembly to approve the legislation.  Odinga recognized Kibaki as president and thanked him for his efforts, while Kibaki requested that Kenyans try to move past the violence of the past few months and move forward.

For more information, please see:

africanews.com – Kenya: MPs endorse amendment – 19 March 2008

BBC News – Kenya MPs support power-sharing – 18 March 2008

The Jurist – Kenya parliament approves power-sharing agreement in bid to end violence – 18 March 2008

impunitywatch.net – Kenya reaches peace deal; its government defends against allegations of planned violence – 5 March 2008

CNN.com – Kenya power deal ‘on the right track’ – 28 February 2008

CAPETOWN, South Africa – International human rights group Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) claims the upcoming elections in Zimbabwe are not likely to be fair, because the current government  intimidated opposition supporters. HRW also says there are deep-seeded flaws in the electoral process. The group alleges human rights abuses leading up to the electoral process, including violence against detractors; restricting freedom of assembly; gaining political advantage through distribution of food and farming equipment; and denying opposition supporters access to the media. Also, HRW believes voter registration lists are inaccurate, saying they have “found evidence of dead people registered to vote including a former minister who died thirty years ago.” The group concludes that the poll, scheduled to take place March 29, cannot possibly be a “free and fair” vote, given the current conditions.

Eighty-four year old President Robert Mugabe is seeking his sixth term in office as representative of the Zanu-PF party, which has held power in Zimbabwe for twenty-eight years following independence. He is being opposed by his former finance minister Simba Makoni and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Mugabe’s Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga told the BBC that “such reports reflected what the West wanted to hear.” He denies any bias in the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, and accused HRW of having an agenda.

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network, however, has said the distribution of polling stations have been biased have been biased in favor of rural areas, where Mugabe has a network of support.

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Zimbabwe rejects free poll fears – 19 March 2008

Voice of America – Rights Groups Doubt Zimbabwe Elections Will be Fair – 19 March 2008

CAPETOWN, South Africa – International human rights group Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) claims the upcoming elections in Zimbabwe are not likely to be fair, because the current government  intimidated opposition supporters. HRW also says there are deep-seeded flaws in the electoral process. The group alleges human rights abuses leading up to the electoral process, including violence against detractors; restricting freedom of assembly; gaining political advantage through distribution of food and farming equipment; and denying opposition supporters access to the media. Also, HRW believes voter registration lists are inaccurate, saying they have “found evidence of dead people registered to vote including a former minister who died thirty years ago.” The group concludes that the poll, scheduled to take place March 29, cannot possibly be a “free and fair” vote, given the current conditions.

Eighty-four year old President Robert Mugabe is seeking his sixth term in office as representative of the Zanu-PF party, which has held power in Zimbabwe for twenty-eight years following independence. He is being opposed by his former finance minister Simba Makoni and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Mugabe’s Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga told the BBC that “such reports reflected what the West wanted to hear.” He denies any bias in the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, and accused HRW of having an agenda.

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network, however, has said the distribution of polling stations have been biased have been biased in favor of rural areas, where Mugabe has a network of support.

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Zimbabwe rejects free poll fears – 19 March 2008

Voice of America – Rights Groups Doubt Zimbabwe Elections Will be Fair – 19 March 2008

CNN.com – Rights groups: Election corruption rife in Zimbabwe – 19 March 2008

CAPETOWN, South Africa – International human rights group Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) claims the upcoming elections in Zimbabwe are not likely to be fair, because the current government  intimidated opposition supporters. HRW also says there are deep-seeded flaws in the electoral process. The group alleges human rights abuses leading up to the electoral process, including violence against detractors; restricting freedom of assembly; gaining political advantage through distribution of food and farming equipment; and denying opposition supporters access to the media. Also, HRW believes voter registration lists are inaccurate, saying they have “found evidence of dead people registered to vote including a former minister who died thirty years ago.” The group concludes that the poll, scheduled to take place March 29, cannot possibly be a “free and fair” vote, given the current conditions.

Eighty-four year old President Robert Mugabe is seeking his sixth term in office as representative of the Zanu-PF party, which has held power in Zimbabwe for twenty-eight years following independence. He is being opposed by his former finance minister Simba Makoni and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Mugabe’s Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga told the BBC that “such reports reflected what the West wanted to hear.” He denies any bias in the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, and accused HRW of having an agenda.

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network, however, has said the distribution of polling stations have been biased have been biased in favor of rural areas, where Mugabe has a network of support.

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Zimbabwe rejects free poll fears – 19 March 2008

Voice of America – Rights Groups Doubt Zimbabwe Elections Will be Fair – 19 March 2008