Kibaki on Mugabe’s footprints

  1. Posted on Thursday 24 January 2008 - 15:25
    John M
    Image of John M
    I have been reading statements by the Kenyan government spokesman and I was wondering if he had learnt anything from the Mugabe experience. At least Mugabe has a heroic past and is facing a divided opposition and is responsible of no large-scale massacre.

    One of his most shocking declarations was that the opposition should go to the ICC if it was not happy with the situation. That is irresponsible! Charles Taylor is there and is not happy about it. He would have preferred a better retirement place. The ICC does not play! It warrants or arrests create panic in many governments. Is it time to be arrogant?

    Veteran politician Kibaki too seems to be walking on Mugabe’s footprints while they had a totally different background. He is closing all the doors to a powerful opponent, abale to mobilize masses for weeks. Like in Zimbabwe, the World Bank, the EU, the UK and other development partners are considering sanctions. A travel ban on government officials is envisaged by Britain. Yet, Kibaki keeps on closing the negotiation doors.

    In one of my previous postings about the Kenyan crisis and the possible solutions to it, I suggested the Burundi model, based on the half-term principle for the two leaders who are both claiming victory.

    I still believe in that solution or to any other solution close to it like Odinga’s statement that he was ready for a power-sharing deal on the condition he has the majority in the government. That would turn Kibaki into a ‘constitutional monarch’ bearing the title of president.

    I do not find that solution workable because nothing could justify Odinga’s majority in the government since no reliable presidential results give him that majority. They should share 50-50. One should take the defence ministry, the other one the Interior ministry. Finances would go to one of them and Economy to the other. All important political positions should be equally shared for a transitional period that would culminate in a transparent election.

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