Many a time when hell break loose in African countries, thanks to political tensions, we hear about the formation of government of 'national unity', 'national reconciliation', so on and so forth. As if over fifty years of independence is not enough to get us know how to prevent rather than having to spend time, money and blood, looking for seemingly elusive solutions.

Ghanian President , John Kufuor's two day peace building visit to turbulent Kenya had to be extended to three days only to realise, unfortunately, that he wouldn't even spend the whole of the second day there.

The protagonists are in no mood to compromise their stance for the good of the people. This government suggested a shadowy but inevitable insight as to the intricacies of the ethnic problems that threatens the East African nation's old glory.

If anything , the December 27 poll served as an unfortunate indicator of the much talked about ethnic loyalty in Kenyan politics. By post election time the damage had already been done. The sad truth emerged that the campaign of ethnic loyalty went in favour of the oppositions. And the manifestations of the apparently severely beaten ruling party betrayed it, making all those interested in Kenyan politics believe that democracy was once again under siege.

Unfortunately , the defender of democracy, the United States of America, intervened with an all the more confusing stunt. First it was a rather premature congratulatory message from the US government to Mwai Kibaki. This was a fuel for the murderous rampage that ensued. If the US, the traditional 'voice of the unfairly treated' could side with a prey of democracy, then they better fight their fight.

And later, the statement of Dr. Jendai Frazer, the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, tacitly confirmed this: The US, she said, which is a major defender of Democracy, recognised Kibaki as Kenya's president despite the flawed December 27 elections as he is the one who was sworn in. The question is what would have been the US's reason to recognise Kibaki if the opposition ODM had gone ahead on their threat to swear in its leader.

While Dr Frazer went on to ask Mr Kibaki not to announce his 'recognised' government before the crisis was solved, at the same time, as part of her three ways solution to the problem, she suggested that the opposition could use its numerical strength to pass a vote of no confidence in the President, in effect complicating matters all the more. One wonders what the US has on offer for Kenyans! This is a laughable, confused intervention.

But, in fact, wasn't the out pore of cheated people on the streets of Kenya as well as the ensuing revelations from the beleaguered problems commission members not enough to demonstrate the overwhelming vote of no confidence the people have passed on the president?

It will be a laughable matter to think that two days diplomacy can solve the problems of an African country that is on the brink of genocide. Especially so when evidence of foreign interference is quite visible. Let's hope though that Kofi Anan's intervention will bring miracle whereas has failed.













DALASI EXCHAGE RATE: £ = 42.30 ? = 31.60 $ = 21.50