Opening
Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold
Senate Foreign Relations African Affairs Subcommittee Hearing
“The Immediate and Underlying Causes and Consequences of Kenya’s
Flawed Election”
As
Prepared For Delivery
February 7, 2008
“By now,
we have all seen the gruesome photos and heard the tragic stories of
the brutal violence that has erupted throughout Kenya. Hopes were high
in the run-up to that country’s fourth multiparty elections held
on December 27th, and Kenyans turned out in record numbers to cast their
votes in the extremely close race between incumbent President Mwai Kibaki
and the leader of the opposition Orange Democratic Movement, Raila Odinga.
Excitement at advancing Kenya’s democratic progress turned sour
when results were delayed, and when Kenya’s Electoral Commission
declared Kibaki the victor and proceeded to hurriedly swear him in two
days later, that hope and excitement turned to rage as the world watched
the entire democratic process begin to unravel and historical grievances
gave way to outbreaks of brutal violence that continue today.
“With volatile
neighbors like Somalia, Ethiopia, and Sudan, Kenya has been considered
relatively stable and even a model of democratic and economic development
in the region. Although the country, even before this crisis, was not
without its problems, Kenya is an important partner for the United States.
But the lack of progress in addressing a number of deep-rooted problems,
including political marginalization, land disputes, and endemic corruption,
appear to have taken a toll. By many accounts, the situation in Kenya
could still get much worse, and is beginning to have negative repercussions
beyond its own borders. That is why it is essential that the United
States and wider international community devote the necessary attention,
assistance, and diplomatic pressure to help pull Kenya from the brink
of disaster and bring that country back to the path towards stability,
democracy, and development. Given our strong relationship with Kenya,
it is particularly important that the administration act in a fair and
balanced manner that actively supports the people of Kenya and their
right to a government that truly represents them and seeks to address
the fundamental grievances that have contributed to the brutal violence.
The administration can not overlook or ignore the complexities of this
crisis – for doing so will only allow them to fester and re-emerge
again in the future.
“This hearing
will explore both the short- and long-term causes of the recent political
and social unrest in Kenya, what must be done to address these problems,
and how the United States can contribute to these solutions. In an attempt
to present a balanced assessment of what has gone wrong and how to fix
it, we have invited two panels of distinguished witnesses to focus on
U.S. policy to date and how our government can best support Kenyan and
international stabilization efforts.
“First we
will hear from Assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazer, who just
returned from Africa last night. We will also hear testimony from Katherine
Almquist, the Assistant Administrator for Africa at the U.S. Agency
for International Development. I have asked them to explain how the
United States has sought to strengthen democratic and judicial institutions
while also consolidating the Kibaki government’s commitment to
good governance. The Subcommittee will also be interested to hear how
much and what kind of assistance the U.S. government is prepared to
provide in both the immediate and long-term.
“A second
panel of non-governmental witnesses will offer additional perspectives
on the underlying causes of the recent unrest and the potential impact
of these events throughout Kenya and the region. Mr. Christopher Albin-Lackey
is a Senior Researcher for Africa at Human Rights Watch and has just
returned from research assessment of the human rights situation in Kenya,
so he has seen first-hand the human rights and humanitarian impact of
the post-election crisis. Dr. Joel Barkan is Professor Emeritus of Political
Science at the University of Iowa and a Senior Associate at the Center
for Strategic and International Studies here in Washington. Finally,
we will hear from Mr. David Mozersky, who, since July 2006, has been
the International Crisis Group’s Horn of Africa Project Director
here in Washington but worked for Crisis Group’s Nairobi office
for more than four years.
“We’re
very glad that you’re all here today, and we appreciate your willingness
to testify on this timely issue. Thank you and welcome; I look forward
to your testimony and our subsequent discussion.
“Before I
turn to my colleagues for their opening comments, I also want to briefly
acknowledge the wide interest Kenyans have taken in this hearing. My
office has received numerous calls, visits, and faxes from Kenyans in
the United States as well as in Kenya who wanted to share their insights
into the current crisis. At this time, I would like to ask that the
formal submissions we have received from some of these groups and individuals
be included in the official record of this hearing as I think it is
important to note the broad range and diverse perspectives on this issue.
“Finally,
I want to offer my sincere welcome and appreciation to the Kenyans in
the audience this morning. I know that some of you traveled long distances
to be here, and that many of you are personally involved in what is
going on in your country, so I am grateful for your interest and attendance.”
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