Annan urges Kenya to implement urgent economic, social reform

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

NAIROBI (AFP) — Former UN chief Kofi Annan has urged Kenya's new coalition government to address long-standing issues like poverty and regional inequality that fanned the violent political unrest of recent months.

In an article carried by Kenyan newspapers on Friday, Annan said the power-sharing deal that resulted in the swearing in of the cabinet on Thursday had put Kenya firmly on the path of reconciliation and development.

"We are now at the cusp of a new Kenya, where power is being shared by former protagonists -- now partners in a grand coalition government," he said.

Annan had helped broker the power-sharing agreement under which opposition leader Raila Odinga, who insists he was robbed of victory in December presidential elections by incumbent Mwai...