Post Elections Perpetrators in Kenya May Face ICC Trial
09 Oct 2009 by John Baimba Sesay in Breaking News, 1358 Views East Africa, 1358 Views Kenya 1358 Views
Kofi Annan
Former United Nations Chief, Kofi Annan believes there is every need for the perpetrators of the 2007 post election violence in Kenya to face justice at the International Criminal Court. The former UN Chief is in Kenya to assess progress made so far in the country’s call for democratic reforms. His visit to the country came at a time when the BBC four month long investigations revealed that local rival ethnic groups are rearming themselves ahead of the general elections slated for 2012. It is feared, the country will have a reoccurrence the 2007 elections is bound to happen, when hundreds of Kenyans were killed.
Kofi Annan, a Ghanaian by nationality, played a major role in ensuring an end to that violence, thus leading to a power sharing agreement between the two leading factions of Raila Odinga and President Kibaki. Annan has also called for the setting up of a local tribunal which should also try those responsible for the 2007 post election violence. This call is seen as being in the interest of Kenyans.
On Wednesday October 7th, Kofi Annan reportedly stated that the International Criminal Court will try a handful of those who perpetrated the post election violence in 2007 and a local tribunal will try the remaining perpetrators.
Kenya, a giant in the East African community has been rifled with tribalism and ethnicity, as was evident in the 2007 elections. The country is still reported to be divided along tribal line. Kofi Annan’s role in bringing about sustainable peace has been lauded across the African continent. His latest move in ensuring an end to impunity in Kenya is seen by many as a test case for the popularity he once enjoyed whilst in the UN system.
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