Kenya Needs Us
by avaaz
 Dear friends; Kenya still teeters on the brink of disaster – today bullets are flying on the streets, with over 600 killed and 250,000 made homeless as government and opposition dispute the presidency. There's hope yet, as Kenyan civil society groups stand up for peace and justice -- but only dialogue and an independent review of the tainted election can end this crisis and prevent escalating violence.
The world can play a crucial role: by reinforcing the efforts of mediators like Kofi Annan, and refusing to recognize any government until it is legitimately established. 50,000 Avaaz members have already sent this message to our foreign ministers, and almost all have listened so far. But inside Kenya, hardline leaders are sowing conflict.
President Kibaki and opposition leader Odinga need to hear that
international legitimacy will only come after a mediated resolution. To
send this message, we're taking out a full page ad in The East African
Standard, an influential Kenyan newspaper. The ad will list the number
of messages we've sent to our governments - can we double its strength
by sending 100,000 messages this week before the ad runs? Click below
to see the ad, send your message and spread the word:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/kenya_free_and_fair/5.php
Kenya
depends on international tourism, aid and trade. With both Odinga and
Kibaki accepting Kofi Annan's mediation mission, there may be light at
the end of the tunnel. It's not too late to help Kenya back from the
brink -- send your message, spread the word today.
With hope,
Paul, Pascal, Galit, Ricken, Ben, Esra'a and the whole Avaaz team
PS - Here are some links to the latest news on Kenya -
Marches, violence:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/kenya/story/0,,2242178,00.html
Disputes over mediation:
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801141777.html
Tainted elections:
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801141360.html
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ABOUT AVAAZ
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works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people inform
global decision-making. (Avaaz means "voice" in many languages.) Avaaz
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Washington DC, and Geneva.
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