Feb 28, 2008 6:00 am US/Central
Annan: Kenya Rivals 'Have An Agreement'
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) ―
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Former U.N. chief Kofi Annan said Thursday that Kenya's rival politicians "have an agreement" to end weeks of unrest sparked by marred presidential elections. (File)
Former U.N. chief Kofi Annan said Thursday that Kenya's rival politicians "have an agreement" to end weeks of unrest sparked by marred presidential elections.
Annan had suspended negotiations between the president and opposition parties on Tuesday, saying the month of talks were "turning around in circles."
On Wednesday, however, the two sides offered some concessions, and the mediating diplomats had been expected to use the weight of the international community to press the president and his rival to finally commit to a power-sharing deal.
The dispute, triggered by disagreement over who won the Dec. 27 presidential election, set off street violence that killed more than 1,000 people and eviscerated the East African country's economy.
President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga both claim to have won the election. Local and international observers have said the results were manipulated, making it unclear who won.
Odinga's supporters on Wednesday called off planned protests under pressure from Annan, and Kibaki offered his first public commitment to creating the prime minister's post that his rivals have been demanding.
Annan only emerged from the meetings Thursday to briefly announce an agreement had been reached. He did not elaborate on the details, but said something would be put in writing and signed by both sides quickly.
In a statement issued late Wednesday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the parties "to take the necessary steps without delay to reach a solution to the ongoing crisis."
"It is critical that the two sides maintain the positive momentum," he said. "It is also critical that the two leaders exercise their responsibility to the people of Kenya, who continue to suffer amid this volatile situation."
Ban also expressed gratitude to Annan and the panel "for the continuing and tireless facilitation efforts."
In a statement issued Wednesday, Kibaki acknowledged or the first time that the office of prime minister and two deputy prime ministers would be created. Negotiators for Kibaki and Odinga already had said they agreed in principle to create the posts for the opposition but disagreements remained Wednesday over just how much power they would carry.
Post-election violence has largely subsided in recent weeks - the latest outburst occurred some 150 miles west of Nairobi on Sunday, when a group of youths from Kibaki's Kikuyu tribe attempted to mount a road block. Police fatally shot one youth; the others fled.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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