Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy

Behind the scenes NIMD grants support to Kenyan initiatives to get the warring parties around the negotiation table. Pivot in the reconciliation efforts is NIMD's local partner, the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD-K) led by Executive Director Njeri Kabeberi.

As soon as the disputed result of the presidential elections became apparent, Ms Kabeberi has taken the lead in a coalition of concerned citizens and civil society organisations that calls on all political parties to find a peaceful solution of the conflict. Last week the coalition submitted a number of proposals for political reforms to the negotiation team of Mr. Annan.


Dialogue

Meanwhile, CMD-K has also managed to mobilise politicians. The Centre’s governing board, which includes representatives of the main political parties - including the parties of Mr. Kibaki and his rival Mr. Odinga –, has issued a joint statement and agreed to re-invigorate interparty dialogue (see document ‘State or the Nation’). Already CMD-K has invited all political parties for a meeting.


Peace Forum

On the initiative of the CMD-K, some Members of Parliament, including MPs from the violence struck Rift Valley and Central regions, have formed a Peace Forum. Later this week, delegates of this forum will meet with the Annan team.

- articly by Maarten van den Berg, NIMD Coordinator Knowledge and Communication -