|
Kenya: 'A long road ahead'
02/03/2008 21:17 - (SA)
Nairobi - Kofi Annan flew out of Kenya on Sunday after brokering a power-sharing deal between feuding leaders, but insisted Kenyans must still respect the rule of law while a final political solution is sought.
Annan spent more than five weeks in Kenya mediating between President Mwai Kibaki and opposition chief Raila Odinga that signalled an end to two months of clashes.
"It is now time to say goodbye ... I am glad we have come this far, but we do have a long road ahead and I would want all of you to remain engaged. We want Kenya to return to the old Kenya: stable, peaceful, prosperous and welcoming," he told a press conference.
"The people from the region and the world recognise (that) we need to build a secure Kenya, a peaceful Kenya that abides by the rules of law and respects human rights," Annan said before heading to the airport.
The east African nation was plunged into chaos after disputed December 27 presidential polls. Odinga said Kibaki had rigged the vote and more than 1 500 people died in post-election violence and hundreds of thousands were displaced.
After weeks of tough negotiations, Kenyan leaders on Thursday signed a power-sharing deal creating the post of prime minister and two deputy prime ministers.
'I'll be back'
"Kenya has a lot to offer the world, let's stick together, work together to build a unified, healed and reconciled nation. It can be done, but do not leave (it) to politicians alone. Each and every one of you has a role to play," Annan added.
"I will be back periodically and I will be back when I am needed. See you, when I come back," said Annan, who is headed to Uganda for a day before flying on to Geneva.
The Kenyan negotiations, which will resume on Monday, will now be chaired by Oluyemi Adeniji, Nigeria's former foreign minister.
Annan arrived in Kenya on January 22 to head an African Union-initiated mediation after the failure of efforts to halt the political dispute, which ballooned into countrywide clashes linked to long-standing contentions.
Justice Minister Martha Karua said the power-sharing accord was not agreed because of pressure from western powers, despite a push by the US and Britain for a deal.
The US and Switzerland even threatened to revoke travel visas for some negotiators who were seen to bloc a quick deal.
Hope for the future
"The threats and all suggestions that had come not withstanding, we were negotiating and drafting those documents the best way we know how and even what was agreed was actually not alien," Karua said.
Karua, also a government negotiator, expressed hope that the deal would implemented despite the lingering tensions from weeks of violence.
He said: "I think the way to move forward is not to mourn just about the failures of yesterday, but is to learn from them and see how you can improve today.
"I am hopeful and it depends on whether you and me are ready to do their part to make it work. First of all, it's our country and I do not think you have a spare country or do you?"
- AFP
|
News
