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Kenyan deal excludes
power-sharing arrangement: Annan
Governance structure last item to be discussed
CBC News
February 15, 2008
Kenya's government and opposition parties have reached a 10-point
deal including an independent review of the country's disputed
election, but still need to agree on a power-sharing arrangment,
mediator Kofi Annan said Friday.
"Let me assure you that there is real momentum," the former UN
secretary general told reporters. "We are at the water's edge and
the last difficult and frightening step, as difficult as it is,
will be taken."
The deal, signed Thursday, is the first sign of progress toward
ending the violence that has gripped the country since the highly
contested Dec. 27 re-election of President Mwai Kibaki. More than
1,000 people have been killed and an estimated 600,000 displaced
by the fighting.
The agreement, a copy of which was obtained by the Associated
Press, says, "We have only one outstanding issue … the governance
structure, which is being actively discussed. Several options have
emerged."
The report says Kibaki and Odinga have agreed to reform the
constitution within a year, which could lead to the creation of a
prime ministerial post or another power-sharing arrangement.
Independent review of contested election
Negotiators will now consult both the president and opposition
leader Raila Odinga, the report said.
The deal also called for the first independent review of the
election results, which lies at the centre of the dispute.
The review committee will "investigate all aspects of the 2007
presidential election." The expert panel will start work March 15
and is expected to submit a report within three to six months.
Other reported aspects of the deal include identifying and
prosecuting perpetrators of the post-election violence;
establishing a truth, justice and reconciliation commission;
instituting parliamentary and police reform and legal and justice
reforms. Both sides agreed to commit to a "shared national agenda"
in parliament to enact the reforms.
The report also said politicians must examine how long-standing
land grievances, accusations of ethnic favoritism and frustration
over poverty and corruption contributed to the violence.
The CBC's David McGuffin, in Nairobi, said while violence has
calmed down in many parts of the country, a firm deal is needed
before the half a million people displaced by the clashes will be
able to return home.
Annan is scheduled to meet with Kibaki and Odinga on Monday.
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