Brussels, 07/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - Louis Michel, EU Development, Humanitarian Aid and Relations with ACP States (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific) Commissioner, is in Kenya to offer EU support for the mediation efforts deployed by Kofi Annan to find a political solution to the post-electoral crisis that broke out when the results of the 27 December 2007 were challenged.
The Council of the EU, calling for the seeking of a viable and consensus-driven political solution, recently warned the Kenyan authorities that if the crisis continued, the EU could not act as if nothing had happened but would have to consider cutting its financial aid to Kenya under the Cotonou Agreement (see EUROPE 9589). When leaving for Kenya on 6 February, Louis Michel explained the importance in this connection of progress in talks between President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga.
In a press release, the Commissioner explained: 'There is a strong expectation on the part of the EU that the Kenyan leaders reach a political agreement on the way out of this crisis. Each passing day brings more violence, more unrest, more suffering and more economic distress. Each passing day brings more violence, more unrest, more suffering and more economic distress. As a partner and friend of Kenya, the EU stands ready to support a political solution. The region, Africa as a whole, and the EU need a democratic, stable and strong Kenya. The EU fully supports the vital work undertaken by the panel of eminent personalities under the leadership of former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and I am going to Nairobi to support the dialogue process, which is at a critical juncture. We trust a decisive political breakthrough can be achieved in the coming days and look forward to continuing our close and mutually beneficial relation with Kenya on this basis.'