Thursday 3 January 2008

Kenya: Tribal tensions brink civil war

Kenya, one of Africa’s ‘most stable political systems’ saw 300 people killed, 35 of which, women and children burnt alive in a church hidden from an angry mob; this is the aftermath of the Presidential elections that took place Thursday.

Savage violence still runs wild amongst opposition supporters of Mr Odinga, after election results saw Mwai Kibaki’s re-election.

Supporters of Raila Odinga claim elections were falsified and call for Mr Odinga to be named winner.

Mwa Kabaki, who relied on the largest ethnic group, and Raila Odinga, who promised to defeat marginalisation of minor ethnicities, have both been exchanging accusations of corruption.

Outrage has ignited violence in Kenya as thousands flee their homes, in fear of armed mob and the threat of ethnic cleansing growing.

Tomorrow, Odinga’s promised rally threatens inevitable further blood shed, as his supporters demand justice, claiming democracy will only be possible once Odinga is made president.

Africa has come a long way but blood-tainted footprints continue to mark the struggle for Democracy.

Is this the true path though: claiming democracy as a double-bladed knife?

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