Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) - Negotiations between Kenyan president, Mwai Kibaki, and opposition leader, Raila Odinga, continue in a tense climate due to threats from the opposition to return to the streets in demonstrations if another meeting is held by the IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development), an economic and political organisation formed by seven eastern African countries. The meeting is set to take place in Nairobi and to be presided by Kibaki.
Odinga, who has continued to affirm that he is indeed the legitimate President following elections that took place December 27, 2007, does not want Kibaki to receive an indirect recognition on behalf of the other African nations, in presiding the meeting of IGAD.
Therefore, negotiation talks have become even more difficult. Mediator Kofi Annan has asked the opposition to renounce the planned demonstrations in popular protest, as they could provoke further incidents. In the diplomatic front, South Africa has reacted strongly to the rejection of Cyril Ramaphosa, former colleague of ex-president Nelson Mandela, who was supposed to have taken the place of Kofi Annan in the negotiations under the direction of the African Union.
In humanitarian efforts, the situation continues in critical condition for the 304,000 refugees who have fled due to violence in recent weeks. The Catholic Church has a primary role in bringing aid to the people. Among the Catholic organisations active in Kenya, is the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). Shortly following the outbreak of violent conflicts, the JRS began dedicating itself to the distribution of emergency aid to Kenyan refugees. They have distributed tents, taken care of medical problems, and have offered nutritional supplements to children and those infected with the AIDS virus.
The JRS has also planned to distribute seeds and fertiliser to farmers who have suffered from the situation there.
The Bishop of Kitale expressed his gratitude to the JRS in a meeting held to plan how to help the city, although he also explained that the situation in Rift Valley continues to be extremely grave.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the situation has been especially difficult for the elderly and those in need of medical attention. The United Nations agency for children (UNICEF) states that almost 100,000 of the 250,000 most recent Kenyan refugees, are children under the age of five. Many of them live in rural areas with a scarcity of hygienic supplies and with an unstable distribution of potable water. In addition, young people are constantly ever more at risk for sexual abuse. The extreme situation of violence that has spread through the entire country has prevented workers from the UNHCR and the UN food supply from reaching the people desperately in need of aid. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 6/2/2008 Lines: 41 Words: 457)
