Baku-APA. The African Union panel which mediated Kenya's post election violence that created the coalition government on Saturday called for a peaceful, free and fair general elections in Kenya, APA reports quoting Xinhua.
In a statement issued in Nairobi, chairman of the AU Panel of Eminent African Personalities, Kofi Annan also called on Kenyans who are due to elect their new leaders under the new constitutional dispensation on March 4 to shun electoral violence and embrace national unity to build a more cohesive country.
"The elections must be peaceful, free and fair. They must be conducted in accordance with the rule of law. They must be carried out with integrity, and must reflect the will of the people. Only then will national unity, stability and cohesion be safeguarded," Annan said in the statement.
The former UN chief said after one of the darkest episodes in the country's recent history, following the 2007 elections, the East African nation is once again on a positive path.
He said Kenyans are working to heal deep wounds, to forge national cohesion and unity, and to build an institutional framework to safeguard their nation's future.
"I welcome the commitment of all presidential candidates to campaign peacefully, and ensure free and fair elections. Political, religious and community leaders also must condemn any action or language aimed at dividing or inciting the people," Annan said.
The elections are planned for the president, members of the newly created Senate, Parliament, governors for 47 county governments, members of the regional Parliaments and representatives of youth and women.
The March elections are the first under Kenya's new constitution, promulgated in 2010. To promote decentralization, Kenyans will vote for a president and a host of local positions in 47 newly created counties.
Annan said it was important that all Kenyans have trust and confidence that the next government which will be formed after March 4 elections will serve in everyone's interests.
He said he is convinced together with his fellow Panel members, ex-Tanzanian leader Benjamin Mkapa and former First Lady of Mozambique Graca Machel, that Kenyans want peace and stability, and that the forthcoming elections should deliver on their hopes and aspirations.
"Through these elections, the first to be held under a new constitution, Kenyans will exercise their sovereign right to choose their next president, as well as local and regional leaders, " he said.
Annan said never before will the Kenyan people have a greater say in how their country is run, adding that the forthcoming elections will be the most ambitious exercise held in Kenya and take place at a critical juncture in the country's history.
"As Kenya prepares to go to the polls, we should recall the remarkable progress made over the last few years. Over the course of five years, the foundations for sustainable peace, stability and justice through the rule of law and respect for human rights, are gradually being strengthened," he said.
The panel said Kenya now has one of the most progressive constitutions on the African continent, which guarantees to promote and protect the social, economic and political rights of all citizens, noting that public institutions have begun important reforms.
"The judiciary now enjoys the confidence and trust of the Kenyan people and stands as a key pillar in this transformative process. The Judiciary must be allowed to fulfill the role envisaged for it under the Constitution," he said.
According to Annan, Kenyans have worked hard for these changes, and embraced the opportunity to build a more equitable, stable and prosperous nation.
"These efforts are yielding results. The economy is showing sustained growth with the potential to attract productive investment and create decent jobs and opportunities for all," Annan said.
He said none of these achievements would have been possible without the determination of all Kenyans to engage in serious reforms "from politicians and public officials, to the business community, religious leaders, civil society organizations, women's groups and the media."
The panel said the successful conduct of the elections on March 4 is critical to determining whether Kenya can maintain this positive momentum and achieve its potential.
He stressed that the intimidation, electoral violence and ethnic rivalry have the potential to undermine and jeopardize the whole process.
"Kenyans remember the terrible consequences of the post- electoral violence in 2008. The country stood on the precipice of self-destruction. And that is why recent violent events and increasing tensions in the run-up to the elections are deeply worrying," he said.
He called all Kenyans to take the necessary steps to ensure that violence and hatred play no part in these elections and noted that the police service, which has begun a long overdue process of reform, has a critical role to play to ensure safety and security.
He said whilst it is the duty of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to safeguard the integrity of these elections, it is the responsibility of everyone, political leaders, their parties, the security services and the media, and the Kenyan people, to ensure that the elections are conducted in a safe and peaceful manner.
Annan said the results of the elections must be respected, and if disputes arise, they must be settled through the appropriate judicial mechanisms.
"Elections are not a winner-take-all political competition in which unsuccessful candidates and their supporters are marginalized," Annan said.
"On the contrary, elections with integrity confer legitimacy on the winner and security for the loser. When conducted with integrity, electoral processes are at the heart of a democracy's ability to resolve conflict non-violently."
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