AFR: Clinton urges Kenyans to act on post-poll unrest
Thu Aug 6 01:56:09 EST 2009
NAIROBI, Aug 5 AFP - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged Kenya's leaders to "exercise the will" to bring to justice those responsible for the violence that followed disputed December 2007 polls.
"Despite the setbacks of the recent past and the difficult road ahead, President Obama and I are convinced that the leaders of this nation have the capacity to reclaim the dream of one Kenya," Clinton said on Wednesday after talks with President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
"Now is the time to find and exercise the will. We will be there with you as you take those steps," she told reporters.
Former foes Kibaki and Odinga reached a deal in February last year to end the post-election violence that tainted Kenya's reputation as a beacon of stability in Africa.
On whether the issue should be resolved at the International Criminal Court (ICC) or at a tribunal in Kenya, Clinton said it could best be dealt with on home ground.
"Hard as it is to resolve this in Kenya, I think it is better for Kenyans."
If no special court is set up to try suspected perpetrators, "it would be a very welcome sign to see prosecution through the regular court system", she said.
"I think we've made it very clear that we are waiting, that we are disappointed that action hasn't taken place yet," Clinton added in response to a question on the length of time it has taken Kenya to act.
Hours before Clinton's arrival Tuesday at the start of an 11-day African tour, Washington said it was "deeply concerned" by Kenya's decision not to set up a tribunal to try suspects in the post-election violence.
The government last week said it would instead reform the police and the judiciary and amend the law establishing a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation panel for the unrest in an apparent shift from efforts to establish the court.
"The United States is deeply concerned by the coalition government's decision that appears to indicate it will not pursue establishment of an independent special tribunal to hold accountable perpetrators of post-election violence," a statement released the US embassy said.
It said the government's decision was "not a credible approach in the eyes of the Kenyan people and the international community."
