Kenyan rivals sign agreement
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - February 28, 2008 Opposition leader Raila Odinga referred to his rival as "my
countryman, President Mwai Kibaki" - an important sign of
acceptance.
But in a reminder of the previous weeks' chaos, police fired
tear gas to disperse dozens of people who were gathered outside
Kibaki's office to witness the signing.
Kibaki and Odinga, both in blue suits, looked stoic as they
signed the deal, side-by-side, to create the prime minister's post
for Odinga that the opposition has been demanding.
"For the last two months, Kenyans have known nothing but
sadness," Odinga said.
Kibaki added: "This process has reminded us that as a nation
there are more issues that unite than that divide us."
Both Kibaki and Odinga claim to have won the country's Dec. 27
presidential election, which observers say was marred by rigging on
both sides.
The dispute set off street violence that killed more than 1,000
people and eviscerated the East African country's economy.
Postelection violence has largely subsided in recent weeks, but the
country remains on edge.
In western Kenya, scene of the some of the worst violence, many
people said it will take years to recover.
"The deal between Raila and Kibaki will help to cool down the
situation but I doubt if it will enable us to get back to our
homes," said Paul Waweru, 56, among 19,000 people living in a camp
in Eldoret.
Mediator Kofi Annan said earlier Thursday that "compromise was
necessary for the survival of this country."
"There will be a post of prime minister of the government of
Kenya with the authority to coordinate and supervise the execution
of the functions and affairs of the government of Kenya," he said.
The conflict has tarnished the reputation of this once-stable
and prosperous country, bringing sharp rebuke from exasperated
Western powers. Diplomats from the U.S. and around Africa have
jetted in to Kenya to urge progress, many of the exasperated by the
talks' glacial pace.
The State Department welcomed Thursday's announcement but said
work remains to ensure long-term success.
"We want to see this agreement implemented and much will depend
on its implementation," said Tom Casey, a State Department
spokesman. "We will be watching very carefully to see how this
progresses."
"We appreciate the goodwill shown" by Kibaki and Odinga in
reaching the agreement and calling on their followers to cooperate,
Casey added.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown also applauded the deal but
said "the hard work must continue. Kenyans need help to resettle
and rebuild. Real leadership, patience and tolerance is necessary
to ensure that the agreement sticks."
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Associated Press writers Elizabeth A. Kennedy, Heidi Vogt and
Tom Odula contributed to this report.
