The Intervention Measures of African Union in the Kenya's (2007-2008) Post Election Violence

Abstract

The study sought to to assess the intervention measures of AU in the Kenya's Post-election violence in (2007-2008). Specifically, the study sought to establish whether the African Union has adopted the responsibility to protect (R2P) principle in managing post-election violence; to determine the effectiveness of the African personalities in intervening in Violence and to examine if the Africa Union peace process mechanism in Kenya enhanced the resolution of the Post-election violence. The study was based on functionalism theory and hurting stalemate model. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population for the study was employees of Amnesty international, Kenya National Human Rights Commission and non-government organizations dealing with conflict management in Kenya. The officials are from the ministry of interior, ministry of foreign affairs and the AU offices in Kenya. The study was based on both primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire while secondary data was collected using desk research. Secondary data was collected from reports and other sources such as Journals, articles, textbooks and internet materials that dealt on issues of AU intervention in the post-election violence in Kenya-2007/2008. The data was collected by involving 2 research assistants. The assistants administered questionnaires and do the desk research. The interviews were done by the researcher herself at a place convenient for the researcher and the interviewee. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, frequencies and percentages. Data was presented using tables, graphs and pie charts. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. The data was presented in prose form. The study found that the AU had adopted the responsibility to protect in the interventions of post-election violence in Kenya 2007/2008. The study further established that that R2P mattered in resolving post-election violence 2007/2008. The study found that African personalities played a role in resolving post-election violence in Kenya 2007/2008. The intervention by the African Union personalities consisted of the use of chairman Kufuor„s good offices, and the support of the mediation that was conducted by Kofi Annan. The study also found that majority of the respondents agreed that African personalities ensure that a sustainable peace was seized as soon as possible in the 2007/2008 violence. The study concluded that the international community‟s commitment to democratic electoral outcome is patently less clear. Annan‟s focus on power sharing during the mediation process in Kenya was never questioned and the issue of determining who really won or holding fresh election to produce a clear winner according to democratic principles was abandoned. Instead the formation of grand coalition was accepted as a win situation for both parties. The study recommended that Electoral reforms must include mass education to the public which basically encompasses public awareness campaign. There was an emphasis on pragmatism that overcame political differences during the mediation process.