EU envoy to Kenya calls for calm as violence continues
Sunday, 20 Jan 2008 11:27
An envoy for the European Union has held separate meetings with both rival candidates
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European Union development commissioner Louis Michel has called for calm in Kenya as post-election violence in the country continues.
Opposition parties, led by Raila Odinga, are protesting against the re-election of president Mwai Kibaki in what they claim was an unfair election.
Over 600 people have died in violence since the disputed elections and Mr Odinga has now called for further peaceful rallies against the government.
Five people lost their lives in unrest yesterday and deaths were also reported in demonstrations last week as police cracked down on rioters.
Mr Michel met with the leaders of both rival political parties and urged them to tone down statements against each other.
He said: "Now there is a need for a military ceasefire and also for a semantic rhetoric ceasefire. Now we need a quiet situation, we need just a little bit positive silence."
Previously the European parliament has called for aid to the country to be cut off until the political crisis in the country is resolved.
Former United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan is expected to arrive in the country next week to boost efforts to reconcile the two sides.