Kenya opposition calls off protests

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-08-2008 09:00

Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga has called off nationwide protests as a "mediation process" is about to begin.

The move may help ease rising post-election violence nationwide.

Kenyan opposition leader, Raila Odinga, addresses  the media, in Nairobi, Kenya, Monday, Jan. 7, 2008.   (AP Photo/Sayyid Azim)

On Monday, opposition leader, Raila Odinga cancelled protest rallies scheduled for Tuesday. He noted the chairman of the African Union John Kufuor, is expected to arrive on a mediation mission.

Raila Odinga, Kenya Opposition Leader, said, "We are therefore informing our supporters countrywide that tomorrow there will be no public rallies as we had called for countrywide. We will be issuing a statement once the dialogue starts. We want the discussions and the negotiations to take place in a peaceful environment."

Ealier, the government of President Mwai Kibaki said the demonstrations are illegal and could provoke more violence.

Deadly protests erupted after Kibaki narrowly beat Odinga in December 27 elections. Days of rioting has killed nearly 500 people and displaced hundreds of thousands.

Now, food is becoming scarce as shops are closed and transport is disrupted across the country. What food is available has tripled in price.

To resolve the crisis, Odinga and Kibaki both say they are open to forming a power sharing government.

Kibaki also called for parliament to meet for its first session on January 15th.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei