[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 22, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E52]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         KENYA ELECTION CRISIS

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                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 22, 2008

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I wish to express my deep 
concern regarding the current crisis in the nation of Kenya. 
Approximately 600 people were killed in violent clashes across Kenya, 
following disputed presidential elections that took place on December 
27, 2007. Violence erupted in Kenya after President Mwai Kibaki was 
declared the winner of the election and opposition leader Raila Odinga 
disputed the results. European Union observers have said the 
presidential poll was flawed and the Government of Kenya has 
acknowledged that voting irregularities took place.
  Unfortunately, the effects of post-election violence in Kenya 
continue to echo throughout the country. An estimated 250,000 people 
have been forced from their homes and are in need of food, shelter and 
medicine. Human rights activists and aid workers are concerned that 
families displaced by the conflict will be unable to return to their 
homes--many of which were burned down--in the near future. Though the 
fighting has subsided from its peak immediately after the elections in 
late December, tension remains high between political opponents divided 
along ethnic lines. There continues to be incidences of violence, 
demonstrations, and looting in several neighborhoods of Nairobi and 
Mombasa and in large parts of the westernmost provinces.
  The time has come for both the government and the opposition to enter 
into a good faith dialog for the benefit and welfare of the Kenyan 
people, who deserve a political process that reflects their dedication 
to transparency, democracy and progress. Therefore, it is vital for 
President Kibaki and Raila Odinga to come together without 
preconditions to discuss how to end the post-electoral crisis in a way 
that reflects the will of the Kenyan people. Additionally, both leaders 
must take steps to end the violence and ensure respect for the rule of 
law and respect for human rights. The full restoration of freedom of 
the press and freedom of peaceful assembly is an integral part of this 
goal.
  Madam Speaker, our hearts go out to the people of Kenya who have 
suffered throughout the post-election ordeal and I urge the Kenyan 
Government and the opposition to resolve this crisis for the benefit of 
their people.

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