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Kenyan Rivals Sign Peace Deal

Citizenry appears relieved, cautious after power-sharing accord is made official

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 28, 2008 4:43 PM CST
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(Newser) – Kenya’s rival political leaders signed a power-sharing deal today in a ceremony that brought jubilant crowds to the streets of Nairobi, the New York Times reports—a change from the violence that followed December's disputed election. The agreement creates a powerful prime minister position for opposition leader Raila Odinga, with cabinet positions filled by the parties of both Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki.

“I call on Kenyans to embrace the spirit of togetherness,” Kibaki said, Odinga smiling next to him. Kenyans are relieved at what appears to be an end to the stalemate that has consumed the country, but are cautious of the power-sharing deal: “It’s a marriage of convenience … it’s going to get the country moving again. But it’s not a solution,” said one businessman.

Police disperse with batons Kenyans who came to witness opposition leader Raila Odinga and Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki sign a power-sharing agreement, at the conclusion of the signing ceremony, in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008. Kenya's rival politicians signed a power-sharing agreement Thursday and shook hands after weeks of...
Police disperse with batons Kenyans who came to witness opposition leader Raila Odinga and Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki sign a power-sharing agreement, at the conclusion of the signing ceremony, in Nairobi,...   (Associated Press)
Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga, left, and Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, right, look on after signing a power-sharing agreement in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008 after weeks of bitter negotiations on how to end the country's deadly post election crisis. Both claim to have won the country's Dec. 27...
Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga, left, and Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, right, look on after signing a power-sharing agreement in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008 after weeks of bitter negotiations...   (Associated Press)
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, left, and opposition leader Raila Odinga shake hands after signing a power-sharing agreement in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Feb. 28 2008. Kenya's rival politicians signed a power-sharing agreement Thursday and shook hands after weeks of bitter negotiations on how to end the country's deadly post election crisis....
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, left, and opposition leader Raila Odinga shake hands after signing a power-sharing agreement in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Feb. 28 2008. Kenya's rival politicians signed a...   (Associated Press)
Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete, left, and former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, participate in the signature of a power-sharing agreement between Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008, after weeks of bitter negotiations on how to end the country's deadly post...
Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete, left, and former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, participate in the signature of a power-sharing agreement between Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader...   (Associated Press)
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, left, and opposition leader Raila Odinga, react, after signing a power-sharing agreement in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008, after weeks of bitter negotiations on how to end the country's deadly post election crisis. Both claim to have won the country's Dec. 27 presidential election, which...
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, left, and opposition leader Raila Odinga, react, after signing a power-sharing agreement in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008, after weeks of bitter negotiations on...   (Associated Press)
Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan flips through the power sharing agreement signed by Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga, following weeks of bitter negotiations on how to end the country's deadly postelection crisis, in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan flips through the power sharing agreement signed by Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga, following weeks of bitter negotiations on...   (Associated Press)
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Kibaki and Odinga have a lot of history together
Associated Press

Kenyan press on the new deal
The East African

 
Kenya • Mwai Kibaki • Raila Odinga • Kenyan elections

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