Rivals in Kenya Approve Power-sharing Agreement
February 28, 2008
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga have called for an end to violence after signing a deal that would establish a power-sharing government. Violence had erupted along ethnic lines after Mr. Odinga (of the Luos tribe) accused Mr. Kibaki (of the Kikuyu tribe) of falsifying election results. The election, which took place on December 27, hailed Mr. Kibaki as the victor, but observers from the European Union said they “doubted the legitimacy of the count” (CNN).
After Mr. Odinga denounced the results, violence broke out in Kenya along ethnic lines, leading the international community to call for calm and compromise. With the support of the African Union, the European Union, the United States, and the United Nations, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan agreed to attempt to negotiate a deal between the two Kenyan leaders. Talks stalled several times, but ultimately a deal has been reached that allows the men to share power. Mr. Annan then called for Kenyans to unite behind the new government, saying, “Compromise was necessary for the survival of this country” (BBC).
The deal includes the creation of a new government position, that of Prime Minister, which is expected to be held by the opposition leader, Mr. Odinga. Mr. Kibaki will retain the office of President. The two men will share responsibility for coordinating government affairs.
Times are still tense in Kenya, but there is hope now that the new government will be able to bring the country together. In the last two months over 1,500 people were killed and hundreds of thousands fled their homes.
