|
Kenya in furious attack on
British High Commissioner
The Independent
By Steve Bloomfield in Nairobi
Friday, 15 February 2008
Britain is embroiled in a diplomatic row with Kenya after the
British high commissioner said President Mwai Kibaki's government
did not "represent the democratic will of the Kenyan people".
Kenya's Foreign minister, Moses Wetangula, accused Adam Wood of a
"total disregard for diplomatic etiquette". He said: "Continued
provocation will not be tolerated further and the government will
not hesitate to take appropriate remedial measures." Officials
refused to elaborate.
Mr Wood's comments to a local broadcaster, KTN, were no different
from those made previously by the Foreign Secretary, David
Miliband. Representatives from other countries have also used
similar language.
Some observers believe politicians in Mr Kibaki's government are
determined to create a bilateral dispute with Britain, Kenya's
former colonial master, that may help rally support from other
African leaders. "They are trying to pull a Mugabe," said a
European diplomat, referring to the Zimbabwe President's attempts
to blame Britain for his country's economic problems.
Mr Wetangula said Mr Wood "should be the last person to be
reminded that Kenya fought a bitter war and won her independence
from the British colonial yoke over 44 years ago".
So far four African countries have formally congratulated Mr
Kibaki on his re-election – Somalia, Swaziland, Djibouti and
Uganda. South Africa's deputy foreign minister, Aziz Pahad, last
week said his country did not recognise Mr Kibaki's government.
Britain has been wary about appearing to lead condemnation of
December's flawed presidential poll. Instead, most critical
comments have come through the EU and other major donors, such as
the US. While Washington last week warned it would consider
banning certain hardline politicians from entering the US, it took
Britain several days to warn of similar "consequences".
As well as considering visa bans, Britain may threaten to freeze
assets held in the UK. Many senior Kenyan politicians were
educated in the UK and some have properties and business interests
there.
The Foreign Office has already drawn up a list of politicians to
target. It is said to include those on both the government and
opposition sides. Some of the main figures are already subject to
visa bans following allegations of corruption.
So far, the threats remain just that. Mediation talks to solve the
political crisis led by the former UN secretary general, Kofi
Annan, are continuing and diplomats do not want to derail the
talks, although hardline elements in the Kenyan government appear
determined to hold on to power.
|
