Annan
says farewell after Kenya coalition deal
Sun 2 Mar 2008, 10:56 GMT
Kenya faces "a long road ahead" to make a success of a power-sharing
deal between government and opposition, Kofi Annan said on Sunday as he
took his leave from Nairobi at the end of a six-week mediation mission.
President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga signed a coalition government pact on Thursday intended to bring to a close two months of bloodshed and political upheaval following a disputed election on December 27.
As calm has returned politicians from both sides have now begun more detailed negotiations on how the coalition deal will be implemented.
"I am glad we have come this far but we still have a long road ahead. I would like all of you to remain engaged," Annan told reporters.
"We want to see Kenya return to the Kenya of old. Stable, peaceful, prosperous, welcoming," the former United Nations secretary-general said.
"I bid you farewell," he said. "I am not fading away. I will be back when I am needed."