First and foremost, it is gratifying to realize that South Africa in the person of Desmond Tutu has come to the rescue to prevent the situation from totally getting out of control. Africans all over and Kenyans in particular owe Bishop Desmond Tutu a debt of gratitute for calming down this volatile situation which televesion stations in North America were hinting that it could become another Rwanda genocide. There is no doubt this situation could have been avoided if President Kibaki had acted a bit more cautionsly and more statesmanly for the sake of keeping and maintaining peace in a country that he has proudly ruled for about four years and the progress of which should be dear to his heart. With the vote count so tight between the president and Odinga, it would have been prudent and statesmanly on the part of President Kibaki to have the counting reviewed to show to the world that the utmost has been done and that the process is fair. If this review had been done properly and if it showed that the position of the counts were still the same, the opposition leader and the world would respect the outcome. On the other hand, if the recount changed the situation, again the world would have seen that the process is fair and the President should be proud that he has ruled the country for four years, and whether he likes it or not, he cannot be the president of Kenya for ever and if he has to give it up now, he is doing it with pride. The speed or suddenness of the swearing in of the President following the results of the election was somewhat suspiciously unusual giving the impression that something was amiss. So, as an African not from Kenya, I think President Kibaki has to realize that a very serious mistake has been made on his part, and to restore his image and in the interest of the country he has to be conciliatory indeed. BOTH SIDES SHOULD DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY WOULD NOT LIKE TO DESTROY THE COUNTRY SO DEAR TO THEM. Once more, many thanks to Bishop Desmond Tutu and South Africa-blessed are the genuine peace makers for they shall be called the sons of God.

I am very unhappy with the developement in Kenya. This is most disturbing coming on the heels of the wide spread discontent of the out come of the election in Nigeria. in both cases the beneficiaries have acknowledged wild and wide spread irregularities, and my question is, why is it very difficult to have a SATISFACORY election in Africa? All this call for dialogue is a call by a THIEF for compro mise on the shearing formular of what he had stolen. This is unbelievable!If a thing was stolen let it be RETURNED. I dont believe in this useless dilogue that will see the THIEF still stealing tomorrow.

Amos Wako, being a judge should know how to bring about EQUAL RIGHT AND JUSTICE. We shouldnt waste our time on any unfruitful dialogue. The people know who they voted for, their verdict must be final without remedy.

CHIJIOKE CHIGOZIE NIGERIA

WHATS WRONG WITH YOUTHS?

I am a Malawian and i have been following the elections in Kenya and then the erupted violence. I really feel sad and strongly concerned. i ask myself this qustion: whats wrong with african leaders? why after an election in Africa we always hear of disputed results? is it because the potential leaders sees easy money in presidency? is it because we are poor?

And what is wrong with youths? the violence i see in Kenya is doominated by youths at every rioting place. Youths burning churches, throwing stones, ransacking shops. what is wrong with youths? Am also a youth but i believe we rae supposed to be the better informed. why do we always present ourselves as people who should lead riots instead of leading dialogue? this is a shame! People want to use us, people want to reapo gains behind our backs by saying we are the leaders of tommorrow. Let me challenge all youths spaerheading riots: Take a u- turn and spearhead dialogue. You will see if those leaders will continue asking for riots of disputed results. They call on riots knowing they are some misinformed youths who will lead the riots. But why Youths? Its high time let the world know that Youths are well informed and we stand for peace!!! Let us tell the leaders we lead no riots we lead dialogue!! I fear and cry for Kenya, once a haven for peace now its all chaos. Its time youths move out of the riot picture and everything will return to normal.

Chisomo Zileni, Malawi