WASHINGTON (AFP) — US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Tuesday urged Kenya's two rival leaders to quickly put in place a power-sharing agreement to "address the vitally important work" of the African nation.
In a statement, Rice said she spoke by phone separately with President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister-designate Raila Odinga "to urge them to implement real power sharing by agreeing on the composition of their coalition cabinet."
"Both emphasized to me their strong commitment to do so," Rice said.
"It is imperative that they form the cabinet without further delay and address the vitally important work of the nation."
The much-delayed naming of a national unity cabinet is a key step in a power-sharing deal aimed at quelling the deadly violence that broke out following Kenya's disputed polls late last year.
Disagreement over the attribution of key government portfolios has led to new protests throughout Kenya, sparking fears of a resurgence of violence that engulfed much of the country in the immediate aftermath of the December 27 polls.
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