Kenyan PM hails Zambia’s peaceful power changeover - Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga Friday hailed the peaceful transfer of power in Zambia and congratulated long-standing opposition leader Michael Sata for ascending to the presidency of the copper-rich nation.

Odinga, who spoke during a stopover in London, enroute New York for a Special Ministerial Summit on the Horn of Africa drought on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, also praised President Rupiah Banda for conceding defeat.

“For those of us who refuse to buy the idea that Africa is a lost cause, who cling to the hope that the 21 Century could be Africa’s, every democratic election and peaceful transfer of power on the continent emboldens our belief,” Odinga stated.

“It presents us with the reason to hope even more that our struggling countries are on the right path towards a full transition to democracy,” he added.

He praised Sata, who grew in popularity as ‘King Cobra’ for his sharp rhetoric against exploitation of the Zambian mine workers, for the peaceful transfer of power from one party to another.

The new leader, who lost narrowly to the incumbent in earlier elections, swept to victory after a brief delay in the release of the results of the elections conducted Tuesday, leading to interludes of violence in parts of the country.

“I join other leaders in congratulating President Sata on his decisive win in the just-concluded polls,” Odinga said, as he also praised the outgone President Banda for showing statesmanship and providing leadership at the critical moment in the life of his country.

“I also congratulate the people of Zambia for choosing peace and democracy in the ballot as a means of changing leadership,” the Kenyan Prime Minister said in a statement from his office.

“I wish the people and their new leader well in the years ahead,” he said, noting that the events in Zambia was a confirmation to those who believe in Africa’s ability to move to a new era, where clinging to power is no longer fashionable.

Zambia, Odinga said, could play a significant role in helping stabilize the South African region and aiding the spread of democracy southwards.

According to him, the people of Zambia should not have problems working together following Banda’s example.

Odinga spoke as the International Criminal Court (ICC) continued with the process of deciding whether to push a case against six prominent Kenyans to a full trial for election-related violence after the country’s 2007 presidential polls.

Odinga was appointed an African Union (AU) crisis mediator to deal with the power handover crisis in Cote d’Ivoire, where incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo declined to peacefully transfer power to Allassane Ouattara after elections there.

Meanwhile, Nairobi is to host a key internet meeting (27-28 Sept.) to discuss enhancing the security of the internet and making it an active tool of democratic transition as seen in its recent use in the North African democratic burst.

Pana 24/09/2011