|
Kenyan parliament convenes over power-sharing deal
2008-03-06
Kenya's parliament is poised Thursday to begin discussions that will enshrine into law a power-sharing deal aimed at ending a post-election crisis that cost some 1,500 lives. President Mwai Kibaki addressed a group of parliamentarians before the afternoon session and urged them to give broad support to the measure that would see him share power with his main political rival. The country's 10th parliament was opened on January 15 at the height of political violence and brutal killings that left around 1,500 dead following the disputed December 27 presidential election. After weeks of mediation led by former UN secretary general Kofi Annan, President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga -- who charges the incumbent rigged his way to re-election -- struck a deal on February 28. The agreement broke the deadlock by granting the opposition the position of prime minister -- which has yet to be formally created -- but both sides are still involved in intense negotiations on issues such as land reform. Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) outpaced Kibaki's Party of National Unity (PNU) in the December elections, but fell short of securing an outright majority. Alliances with smaller parties by both camps have resulted in an almost evenly-split parliament, with Odinga's allies dominating by a narrow margin. Both sides have pledged to support the legislation. Kibaki told members of the Grand Coalition Joint Parliamentary Group that the deal signed was aimed at resolving the disputes that have bedevilled the east African nation since independence from Britain in 1963. "Kenyans are keenly watching. They are keen to see an end to partisan bickering. They want pragmatic solutions, not ideological posturing. They want their leaders to place the country above party and individual interests," Kibaki told the lawmakers. "Let us, therefore, work together and support all the necessary reforms that will propel our country to the leading edge in economic performance and other areas of national endeavour." "I urge leaders to promote the agenda of forgiveness so as to enable the displaced people to resettle and be able to cultivate their farms without fear," he added. Security was reinforced in the city ahead of the official opening of the parliament session at 2:30 pm (1130 GMT). Both sides have agreed to set up a committee that will outline policies for the coalition government to be formed in the coming days or weeks. The February 28 accord was received with a general sigh of relief in the usually stable east African nation, but tough negotiations lie ahead for both sides as the government line-up remains to be decided. "Enacting new laws is but a single step in national reconciliation and healing. The challenge lies in actualising the envisaged legal and constitional changes," the Daily Nation newspaper said in an editorial. "The reason behind power-sharing is to create checks and balances and to ensure that no individual or group dominates the management of the state." Odinga is expected to take the new position of prime minister, but both camps are expected to wrangle for the top portfolios over the coming days. If an agreement is reached, the broad cabinet coalition will replace the government announced by Kibaki days after he was controversially declared the winner of the presidential vote.
| 
