PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 

115^th MEETING

14 march 2008

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

 

PSC/PR/Comm(CXV)

^th Meeting of the Peace and security Council

 

The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 115^th meeting held on 14 March 2008, adopted the following decision on the situation in Kenya:

 

Council:

 

1. Takes note of the Information Note on the Situation in Kenya and the Evolution of the Mediation Efforts [PSC/PR/2(CXV)]. Council also takes note of the briefing given by Ambassador Oluyemi Adeniji, Session Chair of the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation, as well as the briefings given by the Permanent Representative of Kenya to the AU and the representative of the IGAD Executive Secretariat;
   

    

2. Recalls its previous press statements on the situation in Kenya, dated 21 January 2008 and 28 February 2008 respectively, as well as the decision on the situation in Kenya adopted by the 10^th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union, held in Addis Ababa from 31 January to 2 February 2008;
   

    

3. Welcomes the signing of the political agreements and instruments aimed at ending the crisis in Kenya, in particular Acting Together for Kenya – The Agreement on the Principles of Partnership of the Coalition Government and The National Accord and Reconciliation Act 2008 of 28 February 2008,
   which provide for the establishment of a coalition government to address the challenges facing Kenya. Council endorses these Agreements and calls on all Kenyans to support them;
   

    

4. Commends President Mwai Kibaki and Honorable Raila Odinga for the wisdom, leadership and courage shown in acting in the interests of all Kenyans to end the crisis in the country;
   

    

5. Commends President John Kufuor for the efforts he has made to mediate in the Kenyan crisis, in his capacity as Chairman of the AU, and for the establishment of the Panel of Eminent African Personalities, which is led by Mr. Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, and includes former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa and Madame Graça Machel. Council commends the Panel for its efforts, and its role in mediating between the parties in the Kenyan National Dialogue and Reconciliation. In this context, Council expresses its appreciation for all regional and continental efforts made in support of the mediation process;
   

    

6. Expresses appreciation for the timely intervention of President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Chairperson of the AU, which once again underscored to the parties the importance that the AU attaches to reaching a comprehensive political settlement to end the crisis and address the underlying issues;
   

    

7. Expresses
   appreciation to the international community, including the United Nations and the UN Secretary-General, for its support to the Panel of Eminent African Personalities and the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation;
   

    

8. Calls on the Kenyan parties to continue in their spirit of cooperation and dialogue, to reach a common understanding on all the Agreements reached in the National Dialogue and to ensure their full implementation. In particular, Council calls on the parties to ensure a complete end to the violence, as well as the full implementation of the Agreements relating to the long-term issues, including the consolidation of national cohesion and unity, land reform, tackling poverty and inequity, combating regional development imbalances, promoting equal access to opportunities, tackling unemployment, reform of the public service, strengthening of anti-corruption laws and public accountability mechanisms, reform of public finance and revenue management systems and institutions, and addressing issues of accountability and transparency;
   

    

9. Appeals to the international community, including AU Member States, to continue to provide support to Kenya, particularly as regards the return of the Internally Displaced Persons and refugees to their homes or to other parts of Kenya and the rebuilding of the infrastructure and property damaged and destroyed during the post-election violence. In this regard, Council requests the Commission, in consultation with the Government of Kenya and with the support of the international partners, to mobilize all the necessary resources for the reconstruction efforts;
   

    

10. Requests the Commission to remain engaged with the Kenyan parties and support them in the implementation of the Agreements they have signed. Council further requests the Panel of Eminent African Personalities to continue to support the Kenyan parties in the implementation of these Agreements, including support to the various Committees and Commissions provided therein, as well as in the follow-up to the recommendations emanating from them. Council also
    requests the Panel to provide all the necessary support to the Coalition Government and other stakeholders in the Constitutional Review Process;
    

     

11. Requests the Commission to initiate a collective reflection on the challenges linked to the tension and disputes that often characterize electoral processes in Africa, including the strengthening of the African capacity at national, regional and continental levels to observe and monitor elections;
    

     

12. Decides to remain seized of the matter.