January 3, 2008
No. 3
The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable
Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, today responded to the violence
arising from the disputed presidential elections in Kenya held on December 27, 2007,
and announced that the Government of Canada is providing up to $1 million to help
those in need.
“Canadians are shocked at the horrific deaths of people taking refuge in an Eldoret
church, as well as at the loss of life elsewhere in Kenya,” said Minister Bernier.
“Reports that violence is ethnically driven, and in some cases targets women and
children, are alarming.”
“Canada is very concerned about the number of Kenyans displaced in their own
country because of this violence and lawlessness,” said Minister Oda. “We are
providing up to $1 million to the Kenya Red Cross to address the immediate
humanitarian needs of Kenyans.”
Canada’s contribution will support the Kenya Red Cross’s ongoing efforts to respond to
the situation by distributing medical supplies, food, water and other crucial aid items,
while providing shelter.
Canada continues to be very concerned about incidents of violence triggered by
irregularities in the post-election process and by the Kenyan authorities’ response.
Canada reiterates its call to all Kenyans to exercise calm and restraint, and calls on all
concerned, in particular the Kenyan government, to respect human rights, provide safe
and unhindered humanitarian access to those in need, and restore confidence in the
integrity of the democratic process.
“We welcome the mediation efforts of the Chairman of the African Union, Ghanaian
President John Kufuor, and the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group
(COG) for Kenya elections, Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, former president of Sierra Leone.
We call upon the Kenyan authorities to urgently facilitate their important work,” added
Minister Bernier.
Please note that Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against non-essential travel to Kenya as a result of the current level of violence and instability
following the presidential and parliamentary elections. For more information, please
consult: www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/report-en.asp?country=149000
Minister Bernier made a statement on the Kenyan elections on December 30, 2007. For
more details, please consult:
w01.international.gc.ca/MinPub/Publication.aspx?isRedirect=True&Language=E&publication_id=385722&docnumber=187
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
www.international.gc.ca/index.aspx
