Commonwealth mediation in Kenya crisis….a photo essay

In the days that followed the announcement of the Presidential results, violence erupted in several parts of the country leading to loss of lives and property. The Chairperson of the COG, former Sierra Leone President Dr Ahmad Tejan Kabbah accepted the request from leaders to assist in trying to facilitate efforts aimed at finding a solution to the crisis.

In their Departure Statement, the Commonwealth Observer Group to the December 27, 2007 elections in Kenya called upon all stakeholders in the country to embrace peace and desist from resorting to violence while dealing with post election disputes.

But this was not to be. In the days that followed the announcement of the Presidential results, violence erupted in several parts of the country leading to loss of lives and property. The Chairperson of the COG, former Sierra Leone President Dr Ahmad Tejan Kabbah accepted the request from leaders to assist in trying to facilitate efforts aimed at finding a solution to the crisis. Julius Mucunguzi was in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. He brings you these efforts through eyes of a camera.

Images

  • In their Departure Statement, the Commonwealth Observer Group to the December 27, 2007 elections in Kenya called upon all stakeholders in the country to embrace peace and desist from resorting to violence while dealing with post election disputes.
  • Dr Tejan Kabbah first met Mr Kalonzo Musyoka (right), the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement of Kenya (ODM-Kenya), who was one of the Presidential candidates. Mr Musyoka has since been appointed Vice President of Kenya. In his meeting with all the leaders, Dr Kabbah took them through some points, which they all agreed were key in ensuring restoration of calm in the country
  • The former President then met Mr Raila Odinga, the leader of the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
  • At the end of the meeting, there were visible smiles on the faces of the two men
  • At State House in Nairobi, Dr Kabbah first met the minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Moses Wetangura.
  • ... and then met President Mwai Kibaki.
  • Dr Kabbah also later met Mr Samuel Kivuitu, the chairman of the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK).
  • Before leaving Nairobi on 3 January 2008, Dr Kabbah also met with South African Nobel Peace Laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
  • ...in all these efforts, Dr Kabbah kept Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon informed of the developments.
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In their Departure Statement, the Commonwealth Observer Group to the December 27, 2007 elections in Kenya called upon all stakeholders in the country to embrace peace and desist from resorting to violence while dealing with post election disputes.
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In their Departure Statement, the Commonwealth Observer Group to the December 27, 2007 elections in Kenya called upon all stakeholders in the country to embrace peace and desist from resorting to violence while dealing with post election disputes.

photo : © Julius Mucunguzi / Commonwealth Secretariat

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