Hopes fade of immediate solution to Kenya crisis

Talks to end Kenya’s post-election crisis have reached a crucial stage amid fears of renewed violence if the two sides cannot agree soon to share power, a leading diplomat said tonight.

Despite weeks of international pressure, President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga have not yet agreed on how to resolve a crisis stemming from the December presidential election, which local and foreign observers say was rigged.

Negotiations got off to a rocky start today as Mr Odinga left the country for Nigeria, an unexpected trip that came just as the two sides edged toward a power-sharing deal.

It was not clear why Mr Odinga left at such a sensitive point in talks, although an aide said he would return tomorrow.

Jean Ping, chairman of the African Union Commission, the AU’s executive body, said the talks remained promising.

“We are satisfied with the progress made on the Kenya national dialogue and reconciliation. I have an impression that we are moving, and the weekend will be crucial, he said”

Many fear a swift resurgence in violence if the two sides cannot agree soon to share power.

The election returned President Kibaki to power for a second five-year term after Mr Odinga’s lead in early vote counting evaporated overnight. The ensuing violence has stirred up ethnic grievances over land and poverty that have bedevilled Kenya since independence in 1963. More than 1,000 people have been killed.

Much of the bloodshed has pitted other ethnic groups against Mr Kibaki’s Kikuyu tribe, long resented for dominating politics and the economy.

Yesterday a deal seemed imminent as the government tentatively agreed to create a prime minister’s post to be filled by the opposition.

A government negotiator said a deal was expected today after weeks of international pressure on both sides to share power.

Former UN chief Kofi Annan, who has been mediating in the political negotiations, said he saw “light at the end of the tunnel.”

Today he said the two sides need to hold consultations on some outstanding issues.

“I have asked them to do so over the weekend and to return on Monday prepared to conclude an agreement,” he said.

But the opposition accused the government of trying to buy time and strengthened threats of more mass protests. Previous demonstrations have turned violent as police tried to push back the crowds.

An opposition party spokesman said if no “tangible outcome” is achieved by Wednesday, “the party members are hereby called upon to prepare for immediate mass civil disobedience.”

A spokesman for Mr Kibaki’s party, called Mr Odinga’s departure unexpected, but not necessarily a sign that negotiations had taken a sour turn. “He’s free to go and come as he pleases,” he said.