Development Co-operation Group statement on Kenya - Nairobi, 15 January 2008
15 January 2008
The Danish Ambassador Mr. Bo Jensen, acting chair of the Development
Co-operation Group (DCG), has issued the following Statement on the behalf of
members of the DCG (United Kingdom, United States, Canada, European Commission
Delegation to Kenya, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands,
Norway, Spain, Sweden and Denmark):
"The international development community expresses its grave concern over the
continued political crisis in Kenya following the Presidential election on 27
December. The vote tallying process was seriously flawed and casts doubt over
the outcome of the Presidential election. There will be lasting impacts on the
confidence in democratic institutions, on investment, growth, and poverty
reduction for Kenyans if a mutually acceptable solution is not found soon.
We are saddened by the tragic events that we have all seen unfold since the
announcement of the Presidential result and express our sorrow for all those
affected and offer our condolences to those who have lost loved ones in the
violence. We strongly condemn the violence and intimidation, and emphasise the
need for respect for human rights, democratic principles and justice.
It is clear that Kenyans are deeply divided politically and it remains incumbent
on the leadership of all political parties to agree a lasting political
settlement. We urge all parties to refrain from actions that undermine these
attempts and call for continued efforts at dialogue to reach a settlement, the
outcome of which meets the will of the Kenyan people. We stand ready to lend
support to a process that leads to a political settlement and to reconciliation.
We stand behind the statements from the US Assistant Secretary of State and EU
Presidency and we fully support the eminent persons’ mission this week.
But for now we cannot conduct business-as-usual and we have all agreed to keep
our respective and joint development assistance programmes under review.
It is crucial that the underlying causes of conflict and division are addressed,
and that all parties remain committed to a peaceful resolution. In line with
existing policies, the future levels and modes of aid delivery will depend on
the extent to which a political solution can be achieved that reflects the will
of the Kenyan people
The Kenya Joint Assistance Strategy, agreed between the Government of Kenya and
the development partners developed three financing scenarios to help guide
levels of financial support and the choice of aid instrument. If the commitment
of the Government of Kenya to good governance, democracy, the rule of law and
human rights weakens, donors will reconsider the use of direct or sector budget
support and channel a larger share of its assistance through CSOs and the
private sector."
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