‘I would urge all of you to remain engaged. Each and every one of you has a role to play.’
That was the simple message from Kofi Annan to the people of Kenya after he successfully brokered a political deal to bring peace to the country which has been wracked by two months of civil infighting.
After weeks of Herculean diplomatic efforts by the former UN Secretary General, a power-sharing arrangement was finally agreed between the two main protagonists.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga will take up a new post of executive prime minister, while Mwai Kibaki will remain as president of the new coalition government.
With more than 1,000 people dead since the election-rigging dispute started, this deal represents a major step back from the brink of civil war.
But the road to recovery will be a long one as evidenced earlier this week when 12 people died in clashes over land.
Apprehensive
And with 300,000 people having fled their homes due to fears of ethnic violence, questions remain about whether they will feel able to return home to live with their once peaceful neighbours.
That will be the ongoing challenge for aid agencies like Tearfund and our partners in Kenya, some of whom have been working among the traumatised in camps set up for displaced civilians.
Tearfund’s Desk Officer for Kenya, Gladys Wathanga, said of the political settlement: ‘The peace deal is very good news, but the road to recovery is long.
`Many people in the camps are apprehensive about how to live alongside neighbours who burned their house, killed their child or husband and have taken all their possessions. This is the experience of even those in the same church fellowships.’
- Please give thanks for the success of peace talks and pray that the plans for peace take root.
- Pray that all Kenyans will play their part in forging reconciliation so that Kenya is able to rebuild its reputation as a stable and successful nation within Africa.
- Pray also for the ongoing work of Tearfund partners among displaced people.