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Kenya's politicians agree to
change constitution to end weeks of violence
15th February 2008
Kenya's political rivals today agreed to write a new constitution
to allow for more power-sharing in a bid to end weeks of deadly
post-election violence.
More than 1,000 people have been killed in the east African
country since the opposition claimed the December 27 results were
rigged.
Former UN chief Kofi Annan, who is mediating the talks, was first
to announce that a deal was signed, but gave no details.
Kenya's current constitution was drawn up in the lead-up to
independence from Britain in 1963 and has been revised repeatedly,
giving the president sweeping powers.
Kenyans have repeatedly said they want constitutional reform to
end decades of abuses by successive governments.
A new constitution could allow for power-sharing or the post of
prime minister, the solution opposition leader Raila Odinga and
President Mwai Kibaki are being pressed to adopt.
An opposition member with close ties to the negotiations confirmed
the deal to write a new constitution, but said it was "trivial"
because the government has not yet agreed to any changes in the
government.
"The talks deadlocked over the discussion of government structure,"
said the opposition member.
U.S. President George Bush yesterday revealed he is sending
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to demand an immediate halt to
the bloodshed.
At the United Nations, opposition spokesman Salim Lone hailed
Rice's visit, scheduled for Monday, as a sign of growing
recognition within and outside the United States that Kenya's
crisis is far from over, and that international pressure will be
required to ensure the talks succeed.
"We should not be fooled by the current relative calm to believe
that peace is around the corner," Mr Lone said.
"Already we can see that the government has consistently tried to
undermine the negotiations on this core issue and even if Mr.
"Annan succeeds in forging a settlement, the world will have to be
very vigilant in insuring the government implements it."
Anarchy: Violence has been out of control in Kenya since the
December 27 elections
Several countries have threatened unspecified sanctions against
hardliners who might derail the negotiations.
They also have said they will cut aid, impose travel bans or
freeze the assets of anyone suspected of inciting violence.
Disputed Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and his rival, Raila Odinga,
who served as a Cabinet minister in Kibaki's administration for
two years before being booted out in December 2005, fell out over
a previous attempt at constitutional reform.
Opponents argued Kibaki ignored agreements hammered out during a
constitutional conference designed to check the president, in part
by creating a powerful prime minister.
Kibaki argued the draft did cut presidential powers.
Voters rejected the constitution in a 2005 referendum lauded as a
sign democracy was maturing in Kenya. Then came the December
presidential vote.
Domestic and international observers have said there was rigging,
possibly by both sides.
Bush said Rice will deliver a message to Kenya's leaders and
people: "There must be an immediate halt to violence, there must
be justice for the victims of abuse and there must be a full
return to democracy."
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