Brussels, 28/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - Just when post-election tensions are diminishing in Nairobi and rising massively in western Kenya, EU foreign affairs ministers meeting in Brussels on 28 January reiterated their “extreme concern at the continued uncertainty, instability and serious crisis” arising from the presidential elections' doubtful results on 27 December. They again appealed for a “consensual political solution” to be found to the crisis elaborated by all parties. They also threatened to re-examine cooperation between the EU and Kenya if the crisis and the political-ethnic crisis continued.
The conclusions adopted by the Council deplored the loss in human life and the serious humanitarian consequences of the crisis. They also condemned the continued violence. All political leaders, as well as the police and military have been invited to display maximum restraint and publicly and unambiguously reject all forms of violence and to immediately resume a dialogue for finding a peaceful solution based on democratic principles and in the interest of the Kenyan people. The Kenyan authorities are also being called on to re-establish the right of the media to work freely, as well as the right of assembly and avoid the excessive use of force against those participating in peaceful demonstrators.
The Council pointed out that EU observers and reports by other independent observers of the electoral process had, “cast serious doubts on the official results of the presidential elections” and requested that all allegations of election irregularities be urgently and thoroughly investigated.
The Council welcomed the mediation efforts made by the president of the African Union, George Kuofor and said that it was encouraged by the meeting that had taken place on 24 January between president Mwai Kibai and the Head of the opposition Raila Adigan, which was also attended by Kofi Annan. It is also urging Kenyan political leaders to move forward by respecting the political commitment they took made to dialogue and collaborate for a fair and lasting peace. The conclusions state that, “the EU stands ready to provide any assistance it can to this process”.
The Council warned that, “Until a legitimate solution is agreed, the EU and its member states cannot conduct business as usual with Kenya. Failure to find a sustainable and consensual political solution would affect donors' engagement with Kenya and EU Kenya relations…The Council believes such a solution should reflect the clear democratic will of the Kenyan people and enable Kenya's politicians to overcome their divisions”. It also warned that the EU would decide on what attitude to adopt that was based on the support Kenyan political leaders gave to the mediation engagement with the Eminent Personalities initiative and progress towards this lasting political solution. The Council reaffirms that it remains resolved to respond to the humanitarian needs of Kenyan victims of violence and that it would continue to follow development closely. (A.N.)