Kenya: This Should Set the Tongues to Wagging

Barack Obama writes an editorial for Kenya's Daily Nation:

Clearly, Kenya has reached a defining moment. It is up to Kenyan leaders and the Kenyan population to turn away from the path of bloodshed, division, and repression, and to turn towards reconciliation, negotiation, and renewed commitment to democratic governance. There is no doubt that there were serious flaws in the process by which presidential votes were tabulated. There is also no doubt that actions taken by both sides in the aftermath of the election have deepened the stalemate.

But Kenya’s hard-won democracy and precious national unity can be salvaged. Now is the time for all parties to renounce violence. And now is the time for President Kibaki, Raila Odinga, and all of Kenya’s leaders, to calm tensions, to come together unconditionally, and to implement a political process that peacefully addresses the controversies that divide them and restores the Kenyan people’s confidence in their political system.

WHEN I RECENTLY SPOKE WITH Opposition leader Raila, I urged him to enter into talks with President Kibaki without preconditions — mass protests and violence are not the way out of this crisis. I have also reached out to President Kibaki in order to encourage him to refrain from further steps that would exclude meaningful opposition participation in the government.

The rule of law and the rights of the Kenyan people — including freedom of the media and the freedom of peaceful assembly — must be restored. The negotiated solution to this crisis must be peaceful and political. It must take account of past failures and seek to prevent future conflict.

Americans stand together in our friendship with the people of Kenya. I have spoken to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and I support the message delivered by assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazer during her visit to Nairobi.

Please read the whole thing not because it's all that exciting, but because there seem to be some misconceptions floating around the American political blogosphere regarding Obama's communication with Odinga. I just wanted to be sure that the information is noted.

On a lighter note, the Kenyan newspaper takes time to note Obama's hurdles.

Click to EnlargeThe Kenya Crisis