President Mwai Kibaki and opposition Chief Raila Odinga signed a coalition deal brokered by former UN chief Kofi Annan, ending a two-month long political deadlock that triggered violence across the country. which claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions across the country.
Annan had previously suspended talks between the two sides due to lack of progress.
The main issue dividing the two sides appeared to have been how much power the prime minister would be granted in a nation that provides a constitution for strong presidential rule.
The violence began on Dec. 30, when the election results were announced. The vote count, tainted by accusations of fraud, indicated a victory for incumbent president Mwai Kibaki. Supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga began protesting in the streets. Demonstrations and inter-ethnic clashes have caused the deaths of more than 1,000 Kenyans, with hundred of thousands fleeing from their homes.
Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) won 99 seats in the 222-seat Parliament, against 43 for Kibaki’s Party of National Unity (PNU). The rival politicians have agreed to work together with an African panel headed by former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
Kenyan rivals sign coalition deal
Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan announced a deal between the Kenyan government and opposition forces after weeks of negotiations to resolve the deadly post-election violence. UK is ready to host a donors meet to help Kenya. (Report: AITV)
Ethnic fighting continues in the provincial capital of Nakuru.
Despite the cease-fire, more than 60 people have been killed since Thursday. Former UN chief Kofi Annan called for an investigation into human rights abuses.
Several protesters killed, opposition calls for boycott
The death toll on Friday rose to 24 people since opposition rallies kicked off two days ago. (Report: C.Vanier/V.Herz)
Can Kenya find peace?
Intertribal violence, compared by some to Rwanda's 1994 genocide, has broken out in Kenya since last week's failure by the presidential election to produce a clear winner.
Pour aller plus loin
- 20/03/2008 : Several killed in Kenyan Rift Valley attack
- 19/03/2008 : Kenya deal signed into law
- 29/02/2008 : Coalition deal ends Kenya crisis
- 21/02/2008 : Kenya govt. agrees in principle to PM post
- 08/02/2008 : Annan hopeful about Kenya peace talks
- 04/02/2008 : Kenyan crisis talks to resume amid violence
- 04/02/2008 : Ethnic conflict fuels Kenyan crisis
- 01/02/2008 : Kenya's parties agree on plan to stop violence
- 28/01/2008 : Rival factions clash again in Kenya
- 26/01/2008 : US approves of Kenyan rival meeting
- 25/01/2008 : Kenyan rivals meet for initial crisis talks
- 23/01/2008 : Annan in Kenya for reconciliation talks
- 23/01/2008 : Police fire tear gas at opposition rally
- 20/01/2008 : Chaos in Kenya
- 20/01/2008 : Odinga ready for dialogue
- 20/01/2008 : Kenyan opposition calls for new protests
- 15/01/2008 : Bitter face-off in first parliament session
- 13/01/2008 : Kenya death toll reaches 700
- 11/01/2008 : Talks stalled, Kofi Annan to step in
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