1. Posted on Wednesday 23 January 2008 - 09:44

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   DeeDee

   

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   Dennis Itumbi, AfricaNews reporter in Nairobi, Kenya

   Former UN secretary general Kofi Annan has began efforts to restore hope amid political crisis by asking the opposition to call off their protests set for Thursday and Friday. His mission started with an " update and working brief' for his team in Nairobi.

   

   Annan began his mediation mission with what was described as " update and working brief' for his team at a Nairobi hotel.
   
   "They are being updated by Red Cross officials, The United Nations team and Mkapa who has himself been in sessions with both Raila and Kibaki, they are attempting to come up with a working module," a senior aide to Mkapa confided to Africa News.
   
   The 69 year old African stateman, is then expected to head to State House at 1430hrs GMT, before meeting the ODM team at 1630hrs.
   
   Sources in the ODM team indicated that," we will be calling them off, Annan has made a personal request we respect him."
   
   Ahmed Hirsi a party spokesman also confirmed that "we are planning to announce the cancellation of mass demonstrations."
   
   The announcement is likely to be made at Ligi Ndogo grounds in Kibera slums whre the opposition is currently holding a mass service for its supporters killed during the post-election violence.
   
   Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Party Secretary General had indicated that "we will go on with our demonstrations, the mediators shouls see for themselves that everything is not well, we ahave a right to peaceful assembly and we will meet."
   
   But Hirsi said, "those remarks were made before the request from Annan."
   
   Police have allowed today's mass for the deceased.
   
   Annan had last night indicated that his team that includes Former South African First lady Graca Machel and former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa Annan said he had no solutions for the Kenyan crisis, which threatens the stability of the east African nation, but would "count on the will, maturity, resourcefulness and judgment of the leaders".
   
   "We have not come with a solution. We are here to insist on a solution for the sake of Kenya and its people, and for the sake of Africa," he told reporters after arriving in Nairobi.
   
   "We expect all parties to enter into dialogue in good faith, and to seize this opportunity to end the suffering and uncertainty that has plagued the lives of Kenyans everywhere."
   
   "There can be no solution without genuine dialogue," he explained. The nation's hope is pegged on the efforts by Annan.
   
   
   See more videos on post-election Kenya and on the whole election coverage
   See the Kenya Protest - Day One photo gallery
   See The Kenya Protest - Day Two photo gallery
   
   Keywords: kenya_elections

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Reactions

1. Posted on Wednesday 23 January 2008 16:00

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   paulrancy

   

   
   3 berichten
   Lid sinds January 2008

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   I strongly believe that with a man like Kofi Annah and team as mediators to the ongoing post elections crisis in Kenya, people who see leadership from a service provision point of view will see reasons in having a friutful dialogue and once again restore peace and transquility in Kenya. Kibaki and Odinga, please,please consider the irretreiveable lives that were lost and continue to perish, the plightsof those lanquishing in bushes and displace centers and the clouded peace of that great nation paramount and LISTEN. I HAVE A SAYING THAT A LEADERSHIP THAT COMES FROM THE MANDATE OF THE LED WILL ENJOY PEACE AND LEAVE A LEGACY BEHIND BUT ONE THAT IS IMPOSED ON THE LED AS RESULT OF INFLUENCE WILL SUFFER CRISIS. PLEASE,PLEASE LISTEN.

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