Kenya: Time for coup or calm

  1. Posted on Tuesday 29 January 2008 - 17:30
    John M
    Image of John M
    The end of last week and the beginning of this one have opened a new chapter in the Kenyan crisis. Another scene of people burnt alive and the assassination of a political figure are putting Kenya of the footprints of Rwanda, especially when political leaders found it normal.

    I was reading that the army have gone out their barracks to support police. The military are not trained to deal with civilians but rather with enemies, and all could happen, since they too belong to tribes and have families to protect and avenge.

    In 1994 Africa and the world watched Rwanda going down into the abyss. They hypocritically apologized later and promised to be more vigilant later and to avoid a similar shame for Africa. Now over 1,000 people have been savagely massacred no clear has yet come from African and World leaders.

    My suggestion in this case of dialogue between deaf leaders is to put them in a situation where they no option but follow instructions. The key point is to associate the African Union in the process. If the AU and the UN are convinced that the election was rigged, let them impose a new election with a clear timeline and threats of sanctions.

    Koffi Annan is making efforts but his margin of manoeuvre is limited and he is racing against the clock as violence seems to intensify and as the first commitments he obtained seem to be insincere.

    There is much chance that the military will take things under control, perhaps with the blessing of the West. The new leader would first impose peace before organizing the election. Time is ripe and favourable for an enlightened military coup because the power seems to be laying in the street waiting for anyone willing to take it.

    In short, if things keep on like this, ODM would be better advised to call for a military coup which would save more lives that asking for a peaceful resignation of Kibaki.

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