09.01.2008
Government and opposition politicians in Kenya must
urgently engage in dialogue
The Spokespersons of the European Green Party today called
on both government and opposition politicians in Kenya to do everything in their
power to end the politically motivated violence which has engulfed the country
since the disputed election victory of President Mwai Kibaki on December 27th
2007.
EGP Co-Spokesperson Ulrike
Lunacek said: “We in the European Green
Party have been deeply saddened by the recent political violence in Kenya
which has claimed, according to the latest police figures, the lives of almost
500 people, and forced 250,000 people to flee their homes. We call on all
politicians in Kenya,
whether they represent the government or the opposition, to call on their
supporters to refrain from attacking people who belong to a different ethnic
group or are thought to have voted for the other side in the Presidential
election. Politicians on all sides must avoid using language or making speeches
which could be interpreted as an incitement to violence. The root cause of the
violence is widespread frustration among people who believe that the election
in December was rigged and that the opposition Orange Democratic Movement was
unfairly denied victory, as well as anger caused by the Kibaki government’s
inability to tackle the serious problem of corruption. Many election observers
have said that there were serious and widespread irregularities which mean that
the declared result lacks credibility. That is why we believe that the votes should
be recounted by an independent body or there should be a rerun of the election.
In the meantime, both the opposition and government must engage in dialogue so
that a workable resolution of the political crisis can be found quickly.”
EGP Co-Spokesperson Philippe
Lamberts continued: “.We very much hope
that Kenyan politicians will make the most of the opportunity presented by the talks
this week facilitated by the President of Ghana John Kufuor, who is also
currently the Chairperson of the African Union. International mediation is
vitally important at a time when the political situation in Kenya is so polarised and there is
so much mistrust and tension. As European Greens, we want to express our
support for and appreciation of the efforts being made by politicians and other
leaders to launch a peace initiative aimed at restoring peace and national
unity, including the Nobel Peace Laureate and the founder of the Kenyan Green
Party and the Greenbelt Movement, Professor
Wangari Maathai. Professor Maathai and the other people involved
in this initiative are showing exemplary courage and responsibility, in stark
contrast to the divisive attitudes of so many Kenyan politicians at this time. The
EGP calls on the international community in general and the EU in particular to
engage fully in the search for a resolution of the current crisis in Kenya
so that peace, good community relations and faith in the democratic process can
be restored.”
Graham Burgess
Communications Officer
European Green Party
Tel no :+32 2 626 0724
Mobile:+32 477 902
023
email:graham.burgess@europeangreens.org
www.europeangreens.org