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Annan remains Kenya`s hope
2008-02-04 08:47:30
By Editor
News from trouble-torn Kenya that was announced over the weekend has cast a spark of hope over a situation that was increasingly getting out of control.
The patient and tenacious former UN secretary general brokered a deal with the feuding parties in Kenya to end post election violence.
Speakers from both sides of the negotiating table acknowledged the development as a surprise even for them, and they were quite optimistic that there was now light at the end of the tunnel.
Just a day after the agreement was brokered, it became clear that violence was still raging in Western Kenya and the Rift Valley, as tribal gangs continued burning homes and plantations, setting illegal road blocks, killing people and robbing motorists.
It is now apparent that the crisis is more than political, and that is the reason it has not been easy for the peace deal to be immediately effective across the country, thus the country`s political, religious, opinion and social leaders have the duty to work together to instil a new spirit in the people so that the peace deal can eventually work.
Luckily enough, the roadmap to peace presented to Kenyan political leaders by Kofi Annan is of comprehensive nature, and has taken into account the redressing of major historical injustices and addressing certain historical realities.
That Kenyan rival parties are still sitting on a roundtable with Annan`s team to discuss the outlined burning issues is a step in the right direction, which should not be discarded just because of upsetting developments on the ground.
As the Chinese say, a thousand-mile journey begins with the first step.
Mr Annan`s relentless push for peace, if it is eventually supported by the Kenyan government, opposition parties and the whole society—while the whole world prays for peace in Kenya—will eventually succeed to break the existing political stalemate and put to an end the mayhem of violence that is tearing the country apart.
We are hopeful that Kenyan political leaders have seen the futility of meaningless confrontation which is costing none other than the lives of the very people they lead or aspire to lead.
For that reason, they are urged to negotiate in the right spirit in memory of those who have died in post-election violence, especially innocent women and children.
We call upon our brothers and sisters in Kenya not to give in to the spirit of hatred and paranoia, but wake up to the reality that they are destined to live together or perish.
That means they have no choice, and here we wish to quote popular African wisdom that nobody can choose a neighbour, and that a neighbour is indeed your own kith and kin and should be recognized as such.
The international community and civil society have the duty to support cross-community reconciliation in Kenya, which is the basis for political forum and activities, without which no political player can claim any legitimate title.
We join the whole world to pray for peace and reconciliation in Kenya, and wishing former UN secretary general and his team all the best.
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