Kenya
January 2008
On 30 January the Council was briefed by the Under Secretary-General B. Lynn Pascoe. He presented an overview of the political, security and humanitarian situation, noting that the Secretariat had been providing support to the mediation team. After a Belgian proposal, Council members agreed on an oral press statement on calling “on Kenya’s leaders to do all that is in their power to bring the violence to an end and to restore calm.” On 29 January the Kenyan Foreign Minister asked to brief the Council. Members appeared divided on the issue. Some saw a need to hear a counterview. Others were uncomfortable with denying a request from a government. On 10 January, talks broke down. The parties then agreed to mediation by an AU-backed panel of African eminent persons led by former the Secretary-General.
December 2007
Presidential, parliamentary and local elections were held in Kenya on 27 December. A political, security and humanitarian crisis ensued. On 30 December the electoral commission announced Kibaki as the winner. Demonstrations and ehtnically-motivated violence ensued, reportedly from supporters of both the government and opposition sides targeting civilians.
