Cautious Optimism in Kenya
Is Kenya starting to heal? Thousands of Kenyans displaced by the post-election violence are beginning to return home, which is a sign that people are moderately confident that resuming their lives is safe, or at least safer than it was in the wake of the disputed election.
The Kenya situation embodies what may well prove to be an example of the sort of crises Africans may face in years to come: While devastating, the post-election chaos did not devolve into a permanent state of war. Perhaps this marks progress of a sort in the post-colonial era. One wonders if Zimbabwe might not experience the same throes after Mugabe goes (whenever that may be). Counter Kenya with, say, Somalia or the pretty much constant state of affairs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
May 7th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
[…] In Kenya many refugees are afraid to return home, fearing that violence may resume. Cautious optimism aside, for those who were caught up in the post-election maelstrom the healing process will almost inevitably be slow and may never be complete. […]