Rivals agree to election review

2008-02-15 18:57

Nairobi - Kenya's political rivals have agreed on the need for a new constitution and an independent review of the election at the centre of their dispute, according to a copy of a preliminary deal obtained by AP on Friday. But the difficult question of how to share power has yet to be resolved.

The deal signed on Thursday, which marks the first time government officials have agreed to a review of the results, is clear progress weeks after the dispute triggered nationwide violence that has killed more than 1 000 people.

But power sharing, the solution the rival camps have been under pressure to adopt, remained a thorny issue. The preliminary agreement calls for the two sides to draw up a new constitution within a year, which could pave the way for a prime minister's post or another way to share power.

"We have only one outstanding issue ... the governance structure, which is being actively discussed. Several options have emerged," said the agreement, adding that the negotiators will now consult President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga.

A spokesperson for former UN chief Kofi Annan, who is mediating, had first announced on Thursday a deal had been struck, but offered no details pending a news conference scheduled later Thursday by Annan.

"We agree a political settlement is necessary to promote national reconciliation and unity," said the agreement, which was witnessed by Annan.

The agreement called for an independent review committee "to investigate all aspects of the 2007 presidential election". The committee which will include Kenyan and non-Kenyan experts, start work March 15 and submit its report within three to six months. The report will be published two weeks later.

In the agreement, the government also acknowledged that the dispute cannot be resolved in court because the deadline for complaints has expired earlier this year. Kibaki's government had insisted the opposition take its complaints to the courts, while Odinga had argued he stole the December 27 vote and should step down.

The 10-point agreement also provides for a comprehensive reform of electoral laws and institutions and the creation of a truth, justice and reconciliation commission.

The report also said politicians must examine how long-standing land grievances, accusations of ethnic favouritism and frustration over poverty and corruption all contributed to the violence.

- AP