Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Agenzia Fides)- “The President has made his move, the opposition reacted swiftly also not to lose supporters' consensus, however I really hope the meeting on Friday 11 will take place and that the parties will talk without prejudice to find a solution to the crisis” said Italian Consolata missionary Fr. Eugenio Ferrari, who is also national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Kenya.
The decision made yesterday 8 January by President Mwai Kibaki to form a new government gave rise to heated protest from the Opposition led by Raila Odinga, who claims he won the presidential elections on 27 December. Some ministerial posts are still to be filled and the President said he is willing to give them to members of the opposition. The third arrival in presidential elections, Kalonzo Musyoka, has been appointed vice president. Odinga has said he will request international mediation to resolve the crisis. Kibaki and Odinga should meet on 11 January however , Odinga said he would only meet Kibaki in the presence of the international mediator African Union head John Kufuor president of Ghana.
“I sincerely hope the leaders will sit at the negotiating table and find a solution because the crisis is causing great suffering to the people” Fr Eugenio told Fides. “The situation of the economy is growing worse, people are losing their jobs, banks refuse loans and Kenya's image at the international level is deteriorating. And this is serious for a country which relies on tourism ”.
“In this regard - the missionary added - the international media should exercise greater discernment; there have been clashes but in Mombasa where I am at the moment the situation is quiet, tourists are not affected. The only difficulties may be due to certain air companies which refuse to send empty planes to fetch tourists stranded on the coast. The problem cannot be imputed to the local authorities. So care must be taken when presenting news”.
“However international media attention for Kenya is comprehensible because of its strategic importance: from Somalia to southern Sudan not one crisis in Africa has not had its talks in Nairobi. UN agencies and NOGs operation in the region are based in Kenya. Its economic commercial importance for the countries in this area is unquestionable, and in fact their economies are also in crisis. So it is in the interests of everyone that this crisis be resolved as soon as possible” Fr. Eugenio concludes. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 9/1/2008 righe 33 parole 447)
