2/28/08 - The following update was issued by AIM's Nairobi-based Crisis Management Team

We have wonderful news!  This afternoon at 5:00 p.m. a power-sharing agreement was signed by President Kibaki and Raila Odinga.  The country is rejoicing in this deal which provides hope for a peaceful future and a start to rebuilding after the past two months of chaos and tension.

Let me give you some short excerpts from the speeches which followed the public signing of the agreement this afternoon.

Koffi Annan:  "Let the spirit of healing begin today.  Let it begin now....

The journey is far from over.  It has only begun.... I call on all Kenyans to support the process of healing..."

Raila Odinga:  "We on our side are completely committed to seeing the negotiation succeed.  It is up to Parliament to ensure the enactment of this deal and begin the task of reconstruction...  We must destroy the mountain called 'ethnicity' in this nation... We have begun a journey..."

President Mwai Kibaki:  "Kenya has room for all of us if we enhance peace and unity...  There will be challenges along the way, but we shall succeed...  My government will fully support full implementation of the negotiation agreement... All Kenyans are called to fully embrace and support the process of reviewing the constitution... Embrace a spirit of togetherness and embark on this important journey... to transfer this country into an even greater place that we call home."

Those are powerful and encouraging words.  In the evening news at 9:00pm, shots were shown of people dancing and shouting happily in the streets.

In short, the new deal provides for a new position of Prime Minister which will have significant executive powers.  And the cabinet will be comprised of equal numbers of both parties.  In essence it allows for an equitable way to distribute real political power to both parties.  President Kibaki has called for the Parliament to open next Thursday to begin enacting the changes necessary to implement the signed agreement.

Koffi Annan has also reconvened the mediation talks.  They will begin to meet again tomorrow to start discussing the next item on their agenda, the long-term issues that influenced the recent crisis.  Those core issues include land ownership, poverty and unemployment.

Please praise God with us for this settlement!

And pray that the agreement will be accepted by the whole country.   Pray for the continued talks as they touch on other important issues.  And pray for the many internally displaced people around the country.  While this settlement is wonderful news, it does not negate the horrible effects of the recent violence and ethnic fighting.  Healing will take time.

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