A triumph for Kenya
It sets an example that others in the continent should follow
Zimbabwe's announcement that it will exclude American and all European election monitors except Russians, while welcoming observers from Iran, Venezuela, China and Nigeria, makes it clear in advance that President Mugabe is intent on rigging the vote this month to ensure his re-election. His cynical observation that “our friends will judge us” has been likened by foreign diplomats to a “coalition of the compliant”. But Mr Mugabe may have misjudged one of the 32 nations invited, headed by Sudan and Libya, on whose reputation for electoral corruption he is relying. Kenya may indeed have attempted, like the others, to cheat its people of a fair vote - with disastrous consequences. But Kenya's announcement on Thursday that President Kibaki will form a government of national unity, sharing power with Raila Odinga, the opposition leader cheated of victory, is a heartening example of political sense prevailing over tribalism, common good over personal ambition.
The new Government is a triumph of political pragmatism. It does not reverse the results of December's discredited election, as that would have led to a government loss of face and inflamed the tribal rivalry between the Kikiyus, loyal to Mr Kibaki, and the Kalenjin, loyal to his opponent. Instead, an enhanced post of prime minister has been created for Mr Odinga, which gives him power to “co-ordinate and supervise” the Government and prevents his dismissal except by a vote of no-confidence in Parliament. This power-sharing agreement goes beyond what Mr Kibaki was at first willing to concede and falls short of the admission, which Mr Odinga wanted, that he was robbed of victory. On Tuesday it will be debated in Parliament, and, at Mr Kibaki's urging, will almost certainly become law.
Kenya has pulled itself back from the brink, but only just in time. The disputed election triggered atavistic tribal animosities, exacerbated by longstanding disputes over land, wealth and migration, that quickly led to a seemingly unstoppable cycle of violence. The settling of old scores, the attempts at “ethnic cleansing” and the killings motivated by jealousy or vengeance have left more than 1,000 people dead and some 300,000 refugees homeless. The economy has been all but ruined, with tourism and agriculture especially hard-hit and losses totalling an estimated $1 billion. The turmoil in East Africa's transport and regional hub has spread far beyond Kenya's borders, paralysing trade and the economy in Uganda, Rwanda and much of Central Africa.
Even after the power-sharing deal, the tribal vendettas will be hard to stop. Eight people were killed in separate attacks around the country yesterday, and the memories of lynchings and machete attacks will keep relations between the tribes tense for years to come.
Nevertheless, Kenya's politicians deserve credit for belatedly understanding the common danger to everyone and reining in irresponsible and inflammatory rhetoric. One man in particular must take credit for the outcome: Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary-General, whose discreet and patient diplomacy and willingness to help Kenyans to find their own solution rival any of his achievements while in office. The new mood of compromise and reconciliation may take much underpinning. But it is a credit to Africa, and a standing rebuke to Mr Mugabe.
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