SECRETARY-GENERAL, ENCOURAGED BY PROGRESS TOWARDS RESOLVING POLITICAL CRISIS IN KENYA, SAYS INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF ELECTORAL PROCESS WILL BE VITAL STEP

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is encouraged by the progress towards resolving the political crisis in Kenya announced today in Nairobi.  The understandings reached by the parties to the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation process -- including the planned establishment of an independent review of the electoral process -- are important steps towards addressing the most urgent issues that led to the current situation.

The Secretary-General hopes these understandings will contribute immediately to reduced levels of violence in the country.  He reiterates his deep concern for the protection of civilians and full respect for human rights in Kenya.  He applauds all those Kenyans who in these trying times have reached out to their neighbours, irrespective of ethnic differences.

The Secretary-General calls on Kenya’s leadership to continue to display the spirit of compromise and the vision of national reconciliation that will be critical to healing the Kenyan nation.

The Secretary-General congratulates the Panel of Eminent African Personalities for its critical role in this process and reiterates his full and continuing support to the mediation efforts of the Panel led by the former Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.

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