The Wall Street Journal-20080125-Kenya-s Political Rivals Begin Talks
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Kenya's Political Rivals Begin Talks
NAIROBI, Kenya -- President Mwai Kibaki and challenger Raila Odinga met for the first time since last month's elections exploded into violence, a first step in negotiations aimed at ending a political stalemate.
Further talks will be mediated by former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, who arrived in Kenya Tuesday. Violence flared last month after allegations of irregularities in presidential elections. More than 650 people have died and the unrest has displaced as many as 225,000 in ethnic clashes.
Yesterday, after meeting for 75 minutes, Messrs. Kibaki and Odinga stood stiffly on the steps of Harambee House, the office of the president in downtown Nairobi, and shook hands. Across the street, hundreds of onlookers cheered.
"I think we began to take some fair steps toward a peaceful solution to the problem," Mr. Annan told reporters. But he played down hopes for a quick fix, saying that he and other moderators -- including former South African First Lady Graca Michel and former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa -- would work with both men in the "coming weeks and months to ensure that we resolve this tense situation."
Mr. Odinga, whose party had canceled a protest planned for yesterday, said his side was "ready to walk the extra mile" to find a solution. The Orange Democratic Movement has called for protests across the country in recent weeks in defiance of a government ban. "I pledge to all Kenyans that my team and I will spare no effort to resolve this crisis," he said.
But Mr. Kibaki made it clear he wasn't ready to cede his election victory, despite widespread condemnation of the vote. He referred to himself as "your duly elected president of Kenya." Before his statement, an aide swapped the ordinary microphone for a blue podium emblazoned with Kenya's national emblem. "I remain committed to dialogue and reconciliation of all levels of our society," he said, but added that the dialogue will be conducted "within our constitutional and legal framework."
After speaking to reporters, the men and their teams went back inside for further talks.
Until the meeting, both camps had seemed at an impasse. Mr. Odinga has insisted that Mr. Kibaki, whom he accuses of rigging the election, surrender the presidency. Mr. Kibaki has maintained that he was fairly elected.
