Kenya has come too far to waste gains
Story by BARACK OBAMA
Publication Date: 1/23/2008
I have been deeply troubled by the recent events in Kenya. The ongoing political impasse and the tragic violence pose an urgent and dangerous threat to Kenyans, Kenyan democracy, and stability and economic development in a vital region.
Urgent action must be taken to prevent a further deterioration of the situation and to help resolve the current political crisis.
The Kenyan people have a proud historical commitment to establishing and sustaining multi-party democracy. I have personally been touched by this generous, democratic spirit through my ties to my own family, and during my travels to Kenya — most recently as a US Senator in 2006. This thirst for democracy was on display in Kenya’s recent election, when Kenyans turned out to vote in record numbers, and in a peaceful way.
While participating in our own presidential elections in America, I have closely followed the tragic events that unfolded after Kenya’s polls closed. My thoughts and prayers and those of my family have been with the more than 650 victims of the violence and their families, as well as the 250,000 Kenyans who have been displaced.
Clearly, Kenya has reached a defining moment. It is up to Kenyan leaders and the Kenyan population to turn away from the path of bloodshed, division, and repression, and to turn towards reconciliation, negotiation, and renewed commitment to democratic governance. There is no doubt that there were serious flaws in the process by which presidential votes were tabulated. There is also no doubt that actions taken by both sides in the aftermath of the election have deepened the stalemate.
But Kenya’s hard-won democracy and precious national unity can be salvaged. Now is the time for all parties to renounce violence. And now is the time for President Kibaki, Raila Odinga, and all of Kenya’s leaders, to calm tensions, to come together unconditionally, and to implement a political process that peacefully addresses the controversies that divide them and restores the Kenyan people’s confidence in their political system.
WHEN I RECENTLY SPOKE WITH Opposition leader Raila, I urged him to enter into talks with President Kibaki without preconditions — mass protests and violence are not the way out of this crisis. I have also reached out to President Kibaki in order to encourage him to refrain from further steps that would exclude meaningful opposition participation in the government.
The rule of law and the rights of the Kenyan people — including freedom of the media and the freedom of peaceful assembly — must be restored. The negotiated solution to this crisis must be peaceful and political. It must take account of past failures and seek to prevent future conflict.
Americans stand together in our friendship with the people of Kenya. I have spoken to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and I support the message delivered by assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazer during her visit to Nairobi.
I am also heartened by the initiative taken by African Eminent Persons, headed by Kofi Annan, and I hope that both President Kibaki and Mr Odinga will directly engage with the former UN secretary-general to jump-start dialogue.
I have spoken to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and underscored my strong support for the efforts being made by Kenya’s friends to help facilitate dialogue. The future of Kenya is critically important to the future of Africa. While only Kenyans can resolve this crisis, all Kenyans should welcome the assistance of their concerned friends in this difficult time.
The frustrations felt by so many Kenyans are understandable. There is no doubt that much more remains to be done for Kenya to become a more equitable and democratic society. But Kenya has come too far to throw away decades of progress in a storm of violence.
Senator Obama is a contender for the US Democratic Party presidential ticket
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/CG5gz
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