Official Congratulatory Message by the South African Government of the Re-Election of Mwai Kibaki as President of Kenya

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR ORAL REPLY

QUESTION NO: 36

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 3 OF 19 FEBRUARY 2008

MR A J LEON (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

Mr A J Leon (DA) to ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs:
(1) Whether the Government has congratulated president Mwai Kibaki officially on his re-election as president of Kenya on 27 December 2007; if not, why not; if so,
(2) whether the Government had any regard for the serious disputes about fraud pertaining to that election and the fact that the presidential inauguration was proceeded with despite a request from the head of the Kenyan election commission that an investigation should be made into claims of electoral malpractice; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) what is the Government’s position on the conclusion by various international observers that the presidential election had fallen short of international standards;
(4) whether the Government has received any requests for assistance in resolving the crisis in Kenya; if so, (a) what are their form and substance and (b) from whom did they emanate? NO630E

REPLY:

(1) No

(2)

(3) The parties have acknowledged that there were shortcomings in this regard and they agreed to establish an Independent Review Committee, under the auspices of Mr Kofi Annan. The committee would start its work not later than 15 March 2008. The mandate of this committee would be to investigate all aspects of the 2007 Presidential Election and make findings and recommendations to improve the electoral process. This Committee will submit its report within 3 – 6 months. It will only be at this time that we will know what took place regarding the Kenyan Presidential election of 2007.
(4) The Kenya Red Cross Society has launched an international appeal for emergency relief support. The South African Government is considering providing humanitarian assistance and is coordinating its response in this regard.