Oliver Mathenge
23 February 2008
Nairobi — Chief mediator Kofi Annan should not let the Government and the Opposition postpone the tough details of a power-sharing agreement as this could see the country plunge into a fresh wave of violence, the International Crisis Group warns.
Although there was progress on the peace talks, the group says a sustainable settlement must address particulars of power-sharing and economic policies, with set targets and timelines. This should convince those behind the violence to disarm.
ICG said in a statement from its Brussels office that since the two sides were making considerable grounds, the talks must pave way for legal and constitutional reforms and formation of a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission.
The statement was issued concurrently with a report titled, Kenya in Crisis, which examines the situation since the December 2007 disputed presidential election results that led to the deaths of over 1,000 people and the displacement of some 300,000 others in violence.
Cannot afford to delay
The group's president, Mr Gareth Evans says: "The mediation cannot afford to delay discussion of the details. This is Kenya's worst political crisis since independence, and unless people see practical results from these talks soon, mass violence could re-erupt".
ICG says three complementary issues must be addressed as finalisation of a detailed power-sharing agreement.
Foremost, there must be legal and constitutional reforms during the transition period, including a complete overhaul of the electoral framework.
Process to end violence
The group also proposes economic policies to be implemented during the transition.
"The third are the concrete details of the process to end the violence and to deal with the humanitarian crisis, including the institutional framework and timelines," reads the group's statement.
In order to achieve these objectives, ICG says continued international pressure is critical.
The group says pressure should include imposing multilateral and bilateral financial aid conditions which should be reinforced by actual targeted sanctions against "spoilers", including a general travel ban and asset freeze against those who support and organise violence or otherwise block the political process.
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