- Following mounting local and international pressures, Kenya's political leaders have agreed on the appointment of a cabinet.
Raila Odinga, the leader of the opposition Orange Democratic Movement and Prime Minister-designate, told a news conference "we have agreed to announce the cabinet on Sunday." He said cabinet members would take oath of office on 12 April.
Mr Odinga made the disclosure after a meeting with President Mwai Kibaki.
The announcement comes on the heels of growing fears a stalemate between the government and opposition over the distribution of ministerial posts could turn into bloody unrests. The stalemate attracted street protests in Kenya.
On 28 February, Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga forged a power-sharing deal brokered by the former UN chief Kofi Annan. The ushering of the deal followed weeks of bloody post electoral protests, which turned into "ethnic cleansing", causing irreparable damage to life and property.
Mr Annan was himself disturbed by the stalemate, and issued a statement calling on both sides to quickly name the new government as well as share “share important cabinet seats equally”.
The European Union Commission and expressed concern about the delay in forming a coalition government because the impasse was causing "uncertainty and anxiety."
"The appointment of a coalition government is now urgent and the stakes are indeed very high since many challenges need to be addressed," EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel said.
"The Kenyan people need and deserve a government that is representative of real power-sharing between equals," he said, insisting that a "rapid and decisive action is needed by Kenya's leaders so that the new government can start to bring stability and prosperity to Kenya."
US envoy Michael Ranneberger also expressed similar sentiments, believing that the new government would return the country on the road to recovery.
He urged both leaders to do away with calls for a "clean government", fearing that such calls could derail the implementation of the power-sharing agreement.
“There were high expectations that a new government would be set up as soon as possible following the passing of the law in parliament. The formation of the new government has not happened as quickly as some people wanted. The process of forming this coalition Government has taken too long," he told reporters in Nairobi.
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afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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