Ban Welcomes Accord 'Breakthrough' In Kenya

Secretary-General Ban welcomes accord 'breakthrough' in Kenya

28 February 2008 - Urging further measures to end the deadly tensions that erupted after disputed presidential elections in Kenya, Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon warmly welcomed the agreement on principles for a coalition Government announced in Nairobi today.

"The 'Acting together for Kenya' agreement marks a breakthrough toward resolving the crisis and gives hope to the people of Kenya for a return to democratic stability in their country," Mr. Ban's spokesperson said in a statement.

The Secretary-General commended President Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga, the rivals in the disputed vote, for the spirit of compromise they demonstrated in reaching the accord, and paid tribute to former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the Panel of Eminent African Personalities for their mediation efforts.

The focus, Ms. Montas said, now must be on implementing the agreements reached thus far and coming to further accord on the longer-term issues which this crisis have brought to the forefront in Kenya.

"Every effort should be made to involve the people of Kenya at all levels in the process," she added. "Even as today's agreements are celebrated, urgent attention is also still required to lessen tensions in the communities and to overcome the serious humanitarian situation in the country."

ENDS

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