CTindex - Christian Today UK Interactive Catalogue
World

Kenyan rivals to rewrite constitution

Kenya's feuding parties have agreed to rewrite the constitution within a year in an effort to end post-election violence, but have yet to strike a deal on power-sharing, a government negotiator said on Thursday.

Posted: Friday, February 15, 2008, 8:39 (GMT)
Font Scale:A A A

Kenya's feuding parties have agreed to rewrite the constitution within a year in an effort to end post-election violence, but have yet to strike a deal on power-sharing, a government negotiator said on Thursday.

Talks were earlier adjourned until Monday, dashing chief mediator Kofi Annan's hopes of a final political settlement this week to resolve a crisis sparked by President Mwai Kibaki's disputed re-election.

More than 1,000 people have died and 300,000 have been driven from their homes in turmoil that has shattered Kenya's image as one of Africa's most stable democracies.

"Both parties reached agreement on a wide-ranging sphere of issues affecting the country ... among them being to write a new constitution within a year," government negotiator Mutula Kilonzo told Reuters.

But the two sides have yet to strike a deal on the most contentious issue -- the structure of the government.

Kilonzo said the parties agreed on "serious constitutional, legal and institutional reforms" in a four-page document, but gave no further details.

Opposition officials declined to comment on the record. Annan's spokesman also declined to comment.

The former U.N. chief is due to brief the press on Friday.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga accuses Kibaki's team of rigging the December 27 vote while Kibaki says he won fairly.

Kenyans have been calling for a new constitution since the early 1990s to replace one dating back to the eve of independence from Britain in 1963, which critics say fosters graft and tribalism because of the president's immense powers.

The last attempt to pass a new constitution failed in 2005 when Kenyans rejected a government-backed draft in a referendum.



continue to read > 1 | 2
© Reuters 2008. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.
Have your say on this article
Light for Last Days
Google Advertisement
Externally generated - Report offensive links here
Has you Parish church hidden its treasure?  We will help you find it. Join the Prayer Book Society.
World Headline
Christians forced to leave relief camps, group says

Christians forced to leave relief camps, group says

Victims of anti-Christian violence in Orissa's Kandhamal district are being forced to return to their villages by the...
Sponsored Features
Give a disadvantaged young person a brighter future this Christmas. Order "The most transforming time in my life". Why not find out more? Order books for all ages commending the free and sovereign grace of Almighty God.
01582 765448 Friendly printing company for churches, charities and businesses nationwide! Professional website design and web development for businesses and charities
Sanct Maria Abbey, NUNRAW
Cistercian Monastery and Guest House
Bookings: 01620 830 228
Email: nunraw.abbot@yahoo.co.uk
Google Advertisement
Externally generated - Report offensive links here