SECURITY COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT ON KENYA AGREEMENT

The following Security Council press statement on the agreement in Kenya was issued today by Security Council President Ricardo Alberto Arias ( Panama):

The members of the Security Council welcome the “Agreement on the Principles of Partnership of the Coalition Government” announced on 28 February between Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga to resolve the crisis in Kenya following the disputed elections on 27 December 2007.  The members of the Council strongly commend the parties in reaching the Agreement, as well as the efforts of the Panel of Eminent African Personalities, led by Kofi Annan, in assisting them.  They also express their appreciation for the work of the African Union, President John Kufuor of Ghana, President Jakaya Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.  The members of the Council express their full support to Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga in forming a new Government and call for the Agreement to be implemented in full and without delay.

The members of the Security Council recall their statement of 6 February and express their strong support for the efforts to address the widespread violence, including ethnically motivated attacks, in Kenya which resulted in extensive loss of life and serious humanitarian consequences, in particular a large number of internally displaced persons and refugees.  Recalling the need to avoid impunity, the members of the Council reiterate the need for those responsible for this violence to be brought to justice.  The members of the Council urge Kenya’s leaders to foster reconciliation, guarantee human rights and address the longer-term issues which the crisis has brought to the forefront.

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