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Kenyan killings 'akin to genocide'
07/01/2008 12:56 - (SA)
Nairobi - A United Nations-backed panel said on Monday that the killings spurred by disputed presidential elections in Kenya were "akin to ethnic cleansing and genocide".
"Some of these killings are perpetuated in the most bizarre and cold-blooded manner, akin to ethnic cleansing and genocide, as they target the most vulnerable including women and children," Liberata Mulamula, chief of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGK), said in a statement.
"Refugees, internal displacement, hate campaigns and threats of genocide are returning to the region," he warned.
Riots erupted after President Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner of closely-fought December 27 elections. The clashes had killed more than 370 people and displaced at least 250 000. Opposition leader Raila Odinga had refused to accept defeat, insisting the vote was rigged.
Both camps traded accusations of genocide and ethnic cleansing after the poll, and the Kenyan government on Monday called for an international probe into the violence.
"There is a need for an international investigation into the human rights violations and justice should be served to the perpetrators," said spokesperson Alfred Mutua.
As Kenya braced for further clashes ahead of a day of nationwide opposition demonstrations planned for Tuesday, the ICGK urged the government to protect civilians and called on the opposition to restrain its supporters.
"I appeal to all the parties and people in Kenya to exercise restraint and halt all forms of violence, hate campaigns and condemn any killings of innocent people in Kenya," Mulamula said.
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