ZIMBABWE DIASPORA FORUM – 9 Jan 08

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Message of solidarity with the people of Kenya

GLOBAL ZIMBABWE FORUM

in partnership with the

ZIMBABWE DIASPORA FORUM

PRESS STATEMENT

RE: Message of Solidarity with the People of Kenya

The Global Zimbabwe Forum in partnership with its local regional affiliate, the Zimbabwe Diaspora Forum would like to confirm that it successfully participated in a public protest outside the Kenyan High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa.

The event was held on the morning of Tuesday 8th January 2008.

The picket was organized by a network of South African based Kenyans who also extended a request to the Zimbabweans exiled in South Africa to participate in the march in solidarity with them.

UDASA – Statement from the University of Dar Es Salaam Academic Staff Assembly- Jan 08

The grave election and post-election situation in Kenya

Pambazuka News

Statement from the University of Dar Es Salaam Academic Staff Assembly (UDASA)

2008-01-15

UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM ACADEMIC STAFF ASSEMBLY (UDASA)

STATEMENT ON THE GRAVE ELECTION AND POST-ELECTION SITUATION IN KENYA

As an association of academics with the social responsibility of pursuing truth and being obliged to take up issues of great concern to citizens of countries in which we work, UDASA wishes to register our grave concern about loss of live and the wanton destruction of people’s property arising from the sad events that have been unfolding since the hurried inauguration of Mr. Mwai Kibaki as the President, for a second term, of the Republic of Kenya. As intellectuals we have made our modest contribution to the building and consolidation of democratic institutions and traditions in Tanzania and, more generally, in East Africa. General Elections are the principal means by which citizens may exercise their hard-worn sovereignty.

Thoughts on the Kenyan Post Election Crisis – Reflections arising from the report on the AACC solidarity visit led by Archbishop Desmond Tutu – Jan 08

Thoughts on the Kenyan Post Election Crisis

Pambazuka News

2008-01-29

All Africa Conference of Churches

Reflections arising from the report on the AACC solidarity visit led by Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Introduction

Following the post election violence that rocked the Republic of Kenya after President Kibaki was declared the winner of the December 2007 elections, the All Africa Conference of Churches, with headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, sought to contribute to the calming of the situation and the resolution of the problem by inviting a team of eminent African Church leaders led by Archbishop Desmond Tutu to come and offer solidarity to the people of Kenya and help profile the cause of peace to the nation. The Archbishop was accompanied by the President of the All Africa Conference of Churches the Rt. Rev. Nyansako ni Nku, the Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa and former General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches Dr. Brigalia H. Bam and the General Secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches, the Rev. Dr. H. Mvume Dandala.

The information gathered during this visit indicated something of the complexity of the problem, as well as the fact that finding a solution, both on a short term and on a long term basis will need to take into consideration a number of factors such as:
– The Historical background
– The tension defined
– The expressions of the violence
– The Role of the Church
– The Role of the media
– Possible Ways forward

Statement by Senator Barack Obama, 29 January 2008

Pambazuka News

2008-01-29

Barack Obama

Thank you for having me on your show this morning.

I have been following the situation in Kenya closely, and I am deeply concerned by the news and photographs I have seen. I want you to know that my thoughts and prayers – and those of my family – are with all of the victims of the violence, and with all Kenyans who have been displaced from their homes.

Urgent action must be taken to stop this spiral of violence, and to help resolve the current political crisis. Kenya has long been known as a multi-ethnic society. The steps you have taken toward multi-party democracy in recent years have set a proud example for east Africa.

I have personally been touched by your generous, democratic spirit through my ties to my own family, and during my travels to Kenya -most recently as a United States Senator in 2006. This Kenyan spirit rises above ethnic groups or political parties, and was on display in Kenya’s recent election, when you turned out to vote in record numbers, and in a peaceful and orderly way.