On Sunday, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced that Ghanaian President John Kufuor will visit Kenya in two days mediate between the violently opposed political factions. Kufuor is currently the chairman of the African Union. Brown believes that Kenya needs fresh elections in part of the discussions with Kenyan President Mwai Kibabki and opposition challenger Raila Odinga.
“This is about saving lives but it’s also about sending a message about democracy in Africa,” Gordon Brown had explained.
He added: “It’s very important that the two sides come together. We’ve been working night and day behind the scenes to see what we can do to bring the sides together.”
“There is a chance of reconciliation. I spoke to President Kufuor of Ghana who’s going to come to Kenya in the next day or two to be a mediator.
“I think Mr Odinga and Mr Kibaki both recognise that unless we make a change, unless something happens that brings them together, then the prospects for Kenya are very poor indeed.”
Akwasi Osei Adjei, Ghana’s Foreign Minister said that Kufour would visit Kenya. However, he did nnot say when.
Brown was asked about staging another election. He answered: “That is one of the things that’s got to be talked about when these discussions take place with the mediator.
“I hope they will look at both a new constitution and what happens after that.
“It’s not just about an election, it’s about the constitutional arrangements for the future: whether there’s a prime minister as well as a president, and that’s one of the things that’s being discussed.
“I’ve talked to Mr Kibaki and I’ve talked to Mr Odinga and I think they both recognise that something has got to give and they should come together.
“These talks should take place urgently.
“Loss of life is completely unacceptable and this is a country that needs a path, both a democratic path and a path to economic and social justice.”
While Mwai Kibaki was reelected on December 27, Odinga and his party have accused him of rigging the votes. Ever since them, political and violence has erupted throughout the nation. Thousands were displaced and hundreds were dead.
Many structures were burned down.
The United Nations called this a great humanitarian disaster.