April 14, 2008
No. 86
The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement regarding the announcement of Kenya's new cabinet:
"I welcome the announcement of a coalition cabinet in Kenya. This is an important step in the implementation of the power-sharing agreement of late February.
"Kenya's leaders must continue to work together to heal the underlying divisions in their society. Canada fully supports the mediation efforts led by Ambassador Oluyemi Adeniji on behalf of the African Union, and looks forward to continued progress in those efforts."
On March 18, Kenya's Parliament unanimously adopted the power-sharing agreement through which the post-election crisis was resolved. This marked an important first step in implementing the agreement, which had been signed by the parties in late February under the mediation efforts of former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Outstanding issues include constitutional, legal and institutional reform, measures to address poverty, unemployment, inequity, regional development imbalances and land reform.
Canada responded to the post-election situation in January with a commitment of up to $4.3 million to help alleviate the suffering of those affected by the incidents of violence that followed the elections. Canada has also been active in encouraging progress toward reconciliation.
Previous news releases:
April 9, 2008
CANADA CALLS UPON KENYA'S POLITICAL LEADERS TO IMPLEMENT POWER-SHARING AGREEMENT
January 31, 2008
CANADA INCREASES ITS SUPPORT FOR HUMANITARIAN AID IN KENYA
January 16, 2008
CANADA URGES POLITICAL RESOLUTION IN KENYA
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