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Kenya Opposition Announces
Rallies
By TOM MALITI
25. Feb. 2008
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - Kenya's opposition accused the government of
backing away from plans to share power after a deeply flawed
presidential election and called for nationwide protests, raising
fears of new violence.
The two sides are engaged in lengthy and often bitter negotiations
to end the deadlock over the Dec. 27 vote, which the opposition
says was stolen. Widespread fighting that killed more than 1,000
people in the weeks after the election has largely subsided, but
this once-stable African country remains on edge.
The opposition Orange Democratic Movement filed notice Monday
giving police the required three days' notice for a gathering
planned Thursday. Past protests have descended into violence as
police forced back crowds.
The party already had threatened mass protests if a deal is not
reached by Wednesday, and Monday's filing was a clear sign its
officials believe the talks could falter.
A power-sharing deal between President Mwai Kibaki and opposition
leader Raila Odinga seemed imminent last week, but the
breakthrough never came.
On Monday, opposition negotiator William Ruto accused the
government side of "changing their mind over sharing power." He
declined to offer further details. Government negotiator Mutula
Kilonzo denied any change in position.
"This is not correct at all," Kilonzo told The Associated Press,
adding: "They thought this was a picnic where they would walk in
and take over the government."
Kibaki was declared winner of the presidential vote, giving him a
second five-year term, after Odinga's lead evaporated overnight.
International and local election monitors have said the results of
the vote were manipulated, making it unclear who won.
Negotiators for Kibaki and Odinga have agreed in principle to
create a new prime minister's post for the opposition, but are
divided over just how much power such a post would carry.
On Monday, police fired tear gas at about 50 women from Odinga's
Orange Democratic Movement who were protesting in front of city
hall without a permit. The women were challenging the government's
removal of a Nairobi mayoral candidate because of an alleged
conflict of interest. City mayors are not elected directly in
Kenya, and municipal councils across the country were choosing
among candidates Monday.
City police chief Tito Kilonzi said the demonstration was illegal
because protesters did not give 72 hours notice. The protesters
dispersed soon after police lobbed tear gas into the crowd, and
Kilonzi said no one was injured.
On Sunday, police said eight houses were burned in a village near
the western town of Molo in an apparent clash between rival ethnic
groups. Two people - a father and son - were taken to a hospital
with injuries, a local police official said on condition of
anonymity because he was not an authorized spokesman.
Much of the postelection violence has been ethnic, between
supporters of Kibaki - a Kikuyu - and western groups who rally to
Odinga - a Luo.
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