The year hasn't started off very well internationally. Kenya erupted into chaos after a disputed election result which saw the incumbent Kibaki declared elected ahead of Odinga. To make it worse Kenya fractured along tribal lines with Kibaki the Kikuyu on one side and Odinga the Luo on the other. It seems also that the poor regardless of tribe sided with the opposition Odinga and the slum dwellers went on the rampage; essentially sick of being poor. At present the country is in turmoil. European nations are urging a coalition and an investigation of the election count. Upwards of 400 people have been killed so far. Observers are afraid of a Rwanda genocide but this time the media are covering the events. It's a been another sad week for Africa, but the solution is in their own hands.
Pakistan is strictly a 2007 event and by now things have quietened down. The government of Musharaf has postponed elections for sox weeks which is sensible, and the political parties have agreed to take part. Kenya's experience will be in the minds of the election officials to do the right thing and not stuff ballot boxes. Let's hope so anyway. Let's also hope that the party that wins does so decisively so that there are no doubts. Let's also hope that the military are put firmly back into their barracks along with the generals. They've done Pakistans democracy far too much harm. And conversely lets hope the politicians keep their slimy hands out of the tills of the nation.
No comments:
Post a Comment