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Britain yet to recognize Kibaki
as President
Published on January 21, 2008, 12:00 am
By David Ohito
Kenya’s political crisis was a subject of debate in the House of
Commons again, as it emerged that the UK did not formally
recognise the Kibaki Government.
The House was told how Kenya remains tense and unpredictable.
A member demanded that rival parties in the election dispute "use
the opportunity of international mediation to come together for
dialogue to resolve their differences".
The House called for a lasting political solution, based on
compromise, which reflects the will of the people.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and
Commonwealth Affairs, Ms Meg Munn, moved the debate on Thursday.
But she soon ran into trouble after she referred to Kibaki as "President
of Kenya".
Conservative member, Mr James Duddridge asked: "The minister
mentioned President Kibaki. Does the Foreign Office formally r
ecognise him as the President of the country?"
Munn replied: "Our Government has not recognised the Government
and is calling on both leaders to co-operate in a process of
mediation."
Members demanded more political pressure on the Kibaki
administration and those responsible for post-election violence.
But Labour member, Mr Andy Reed, cautioned that some measures were
likely to hurt the common man.
"Does the minister agree that while it is vital that we put
political pressure on those involved in the violence, the people
who suffer most in such circumstances, as always, are those facing
the consequences of the humanitarian disaster? Will she ensure
that humanitarian aid always gets through to those who need it
most on the ground? I know that that is a difficult balance to
strike," he said.
The House also debated a KTN clip of a policeman shooting a
protester and kicking him before he died.
"Yesterday, the world was shocked to witness on television screens
unarmed protesters being shot by Kenyan security forces. A process
of national reconciliation is desperately needed to start to heal
the wounds that have been inflicted by the disputed elections and
the violence that has followed," Munn said.
She added: "Kenya’s economy will suffer. We do not want that. We
want Kenya to grow."
Munn said the UK fully supported President Kufuor’s peace mission.
They called for an end to violence to give dialogue a chance.
"We are pleased that former United Nations Secretary-General, Mr
Kofi Annan, agreed to head the panel, and that Mrs Graca Machel
and former Tanzanian President, Mr Benjamin Mkapa, also agreed to
take part," Munn said.
She added: "The House demands that fundamental issues that need to
be addressed remain the same. The allegations of fraud during the
elections should be investigated. Those who are found to have
acted illegally should be held to account. That also applies if
they are found to have instigated violence."
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