Africa celebrates Obama victory with pride, hope

By ELIZABETH A. KENNEDY
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NAIROBI, Kenya — For many across Africa and the world, Barack Obama’s election seals America’s reputation as a land of staggering opportunity.

“If it were possible for me to get to the United States on my bicycle, I would,” said Joseph Ochieng, a 36-year-old carpenter who lives in Kenya’s sprawling Kibera shantytown, a maze of tin-roofed shacks and dirt roads.

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki declared a public holiday Thursday in the country of Obama’s late father, allowing celebrations to continue through the night and into a second day. From Europe and Asia to the Middle East, many expressed amazement that the U.S. could overcome centuries of racial strife and elect an African-American president.

Scenes of jubilation broke out in the western Kenya village of Kogelo, where many of Obama’s Kenyan relatives still live. People sang, danced in the streets and wrapped themselves in U.S. flags. A group of exuberant residents picked up the president-elect’s half brother Malik and carried him through the village.

“Unbelievable!” Malik Obama shouted, leading the family in chanting, “Obama’s coming, make way!”

“He’s in!” said Rachel Ndimu, 23, a Kenyan business student who joined hundreds of others for an election party that began at 5 a.m. Wednesday at the residence of the U.S. ambassador to Kenya, Michael Ranneberger.

Obama was born in Hawaii, where he spent most of his childhood raised by his white mother. He barely knew his father. But for the world’s poorest continent, the ascent of a man of African heritage to America’s highest office was a source of immeasurable pride and hope.

Tributes rolled in from two of Africa’s groundbreaking leaders. Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president, said Obama gave the world the courage to dream.

“Your victory has demonstrated that no person anywhere in the world should not dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place,” Mandela said in a letter of congratulations.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf — the first woman elected to head an African country — said she did not expect to see a black American president in her lifetime.

“All Africans now know that if you persevere, all things are possible,” she said.

In Britain, The Sun newspaper borrowed from Neil Armstrong’s 1969 moon landing in describing Obama’s election as “one giant leap for mankind.”

Yet celebrations were often tempered by sobering concerns that Obama faces momentous global challenges — wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the nuclear ambitions of Iran, the elusive hunt for peace in the Middle East and a financial crisis.

Europe, where Obama is overwhelmingly popular, is one region that looked eagerly to an Obama administration for a revival in warm relations after the Bush government’s chilly rift with the continent over the Iraq war.

“At a time when we have to confront immense challenges together, your election raises great hopes in France, in Europe and in the rest of the world,” French President Nicolas Sarkozy said in a letter to Obama.

Obama’s victory also was greeted with cheers in Mexico, where former Foreign Minister Jorge Castaneda wrote in the Reforma newspaper that the presidency represents a chance for Mexico to remake its relationship with the United States.

“Obama’s win … opens to Mexico an extraordinary opportunity to reposition itself in the world because it will be infinitely easier to be a neighbor, ally and friend of the United States with Obama,” he wrote.

Americans living abroad, too, basked in the glow of a victory hoped for by most of the world.

“I’m proud of being an American today,” said Jody Suden, a mother of two in London. “It’s such a shift from the way things have been.”

This report includes information from Cox News Service.

Africans elated by first black U.S. president

(CNN) — Celebrations erupted in Barack Obama’s ancestral home in Kenya and across Africa as the U.S. Democratic candidate made history by being elected America’s first African-American president. Residents of Kogelo, Kenya, celebrate news of Barack Obama’s victory early Wednesday morning.

In the western Kenyan village of Kogelo, where Obama’s father grew up, people partied in the streets. But the biggest party of all was at the house of Obama’s grandmother, 86-year-old Sarah Obama, who could not resist doing a victory dance of her own.

Speaking in the local language, Sarah Obama said she planned to one day visit her now-world-famous grandson, whom she still calls “Barry.” To a roar of laughter, she said she’s afraid she may die of happiness when she sees him next.

In true African style, Kogelo villagers slaughtered a boar to give thanks for Obama’s presidential win.

“We are going to have a feast and eat every single meal we have,” Sarah Obama said with laughter.

Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga said the entire country was proud of Obama’s presidential victory. He said the government declared Thursday a public holiday to celebrate the win, which he said offered hope for Kenya and the world.

“It gives them confidence in themselves that everything is achievable,” Odinga told CNN.

“If somebody sets his mind to it, has the confidence and commitment, this is what Obama’s victory really means — not just to young Kenyans but to the youth all over the world — (believing) in the ability of one to achieve what one sets out to do.”

With a population of less than 1,000, Kogelo is a normally sleepy place that has found itself transformed by Obama’s political success. Campaign posters shout Obama’s name and vendors sell CDs of his speeches and T-shirts bearing his picture.

Obama has visited the village before. His first visit was in 1987, just after his father died. When he visited his grandmother in 2006, Obama already drew huge crowds.

Besides his grandmother, Kogelo is also home to Obama’s uncle, Said Obama; aunt, Hawa Auma; and half-brother, Malik Obama, who says he speaks regularly to his sibling.

Thousands of people have been posting messages on CNN blogs congratulating Obama and America after the Democrat’s victory over Republican rival John McCain.

Yvonne Okwara, from Kenya, wrote: “Obama’s win is so personal to so many of us, it continues to amaze me. One thing America has taught us today is that true democracy never dies.”

Basimane Bogopa, from Botswana, added: “Americans have shown once again, why they are world leaders. Obama’s victory has shown me that the American dream is real, you just have to dream. My heart is filled with joy.”

Many Africans believe an Obama presidency will help the impoverished continent. His victory is likely to seal America’s reputation in the minds of many Africans as a land of opportunity.

And for South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela, the election of America’s first is a symbol of hope.

“Your victory has demonstrated that no person anywhere in the world should not dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place,” Mandela said in a letter of congratulations to Obama.

Pirates to kill crew on arms ship if NATO ships attack

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Food and water are running low on the Ukrainian arms ship hijacked by Somali pirates, and a pirate spokesman warned Thursday if the ship was attacked by NATO forces its 20-man crew would be among those killed.

Armed Somali pirates, at top and in red boat, guard the captives on the hijacked Ukrainian arms ship MV Faina.

Spokesman Sugule Ali also mocked comments by Tomex Team, the firm operating the MV Faina cargo ship, which said it has accumulated only $1 million toward the $20 million ransom the pirates initially demanded.

“That is worthless,” he said. “It would only pay for several nights’ stay in a hotel!”

However, Ali declined to say whether the pirates had lowered their ransom request.

He told the Associated Press that supplies were running out but the pirates would share what remained with the crew.

“We Somalis don’t eat in front of a hungry person,” he said, speaking Thursday by satellite phone. “We will share our food with them.”

But he repeated his promise to fight back if attacked, regardless of the arrival of a flotilla of NATO warships.

“Either we get the money or hold onto the ship. And if attacked, we will fight back to the bitter end,” Ali said.

“The important thing, though, is if we die they will die too,” he added, referring to the Faina’s crew.

The Faina was heading for a Kenyan port with a cargo of 33 battle tanks and heavy weapons when armed pirates seized it September 25 off coast of Somalia. The ship is now anchored off Somalia’s coast near the central town of Hobyo, where Ali was seeking medical treatment Thursday.

U.S. warships have surrounded the Faina for weeks, making sure its heavy weapons don’t fall into the hands of any insurgent groups linked to al Qaeda.

Pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia this year have surged 75 percent, the International Maritime Bureau said Thursday, calling for serious international action against the brigands who “operate with impunity.”

It says the waters off Somalia, including the Gulf of Aden, are the world’s most dangerous, accounting for 63 — or nearly a third — of the 199 reported pirate attacks worldwide between January and September 2008.

The agency urged navies around the world to target the pirate’s main supply ships before they succeed in hijacking cargo vessels.

“The locations and descriptions of these mother ships are known. We therefore call upon all governments to direct their navies to disrupt the activities of the pirates and their mother ships. This is vital to protect this major world seaway,” bureau director Pottengal Mukundan said in a statement.

The lawless Horn of Africa nation has had no central government since a group of clan-based warlords overthrew a socialist dictator in 1991.

Zuma Supports Idea of Unity Government in Zimbabwe

By ALAN COWELL

LONDON — One of South Africa’s most senior political leaders lent support Wednesday to the idea of forming a national unity government in Zimbabwe to resolve its deepening crisis.

The politician, Jacob G. Zuma, the head of the ruling African National Congress and potentially a future president of South Africa, said both the United States and Britain had undermined their own ability to play a role in the Zimbabwe political crisis because of the vehemence of their criticism of the government.

Mr. Zuma was speaking in an interview here shortly before Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Britain urged the imposition of an arms embargo on Zimbabwe. In the interview, Mr. Zuma warned against any “forceful intervention” in Zimbabwe’s crisis.

Mr. Zuma was asked to comment on an article in Zimbabwe’s state-owned Herald newspaper on Wednesday proposing a government of national unity grouping President Robert G. Mugabe and his opponent Morgan Tsvangirai, but led by Mr. Mugabe.

The two bitter adversaries fought presidential and parliamentary elections on March 29 but the outcome of the presidential vote has not been announced while Mr. Mugabe’s ZANU-PF has challenged the results of 23 constituencies in the parliamentary ballot, which Mr. Tsvangirai initially seemed to have won.

The stalemate appears to have spilled into increasing bloodshed with widespread claims by opposition and church figures that Mr. Mugabe’s followers have begun beating and killing opposition supporters in advance of a mooted run-off in the presidential vote.

Mr. Zuma is visiting several European countries and has spoken out frequently in favor of renewed intervention by southern African leaders to restart some form of dialogue between Mr. Mugabe and Mr. Tsvangirai.

His readiness to comment has been taken by some analysts as a departure from South Africa’s previous “quiet diplomacy” followed by South African President Thabo Mbeki, which seemed to favor Mr. Mugabe and shield his oppressive regime from criticism.

But Mr. Zuma denied that “quiet diplomacy” had failed, saying South Africa had decided “not to stand on rooftops and criticize Mugabe” in order to be able to talk to both sides in the dispute. “Quiet diplomacy has not failed,” he said. “Zimbabwe is our neighbor. We need to engage Zimbabweans on both sides. It would not have been prudent for us to stand there and criticize them. How could we have engaged with both sides if we did so?”

He added: “We decided to engage Zimbabweans quietly and it was dubbed quiet diplomacy. We can produce a better report than anyone else on what happened.”

Asked if the idea of a national unity government in Zimbabwe was premature, Mr. Zuma said: “I don’t think it is premature because you are dealing with a situation where we are almost three weeks after the election and there has been no announcement of the results.” Regional diplomacy had not resolved the crisis, he said, “so we have to say what do we do?”

“The natural thing is that there should be discussions,” he said. The call for a unity government “is not premature, it is actually appropriate at this time,” he said.

Mr. Zuma said the presidential election appeared to have produced a very narrow margin between Mr. Mugabe and Mr. Tsvangirai, meaning that both men commanded significant support among Zimbabweans.

But he was keen to avoid the impression that he was initiating the call for a unity government, which was a model used to resolve Kenya’s bloodstained post-election crisis earlier this year.

“I’m not necessarily making a call,” he said. “This is what should be looked at as one option.”

He was speaking shortly before a scheduled meeting with Mr. Brown, the British Prime Minister, who has accused Mr. Mugabe of stealing the Zimbabwean election.

Mr. Zuma said: “The unfortunate thing for Britain was the extreme position Britain took in relation to Zimbabwe. It then became difficult for Britain to play any role without people being suspicious.”

The British attitude, he said, “in a sense undermined the role it could play in Zimbabwe” and the United States authorities “also took the same position as Britain.”

“I’m not saying they are disqualified” from influencing events in Zimbabwe, Mr. Zuma continued, but “their action undermined the possibility of their playing a meaningful role in Zimbabwe.”

The interview with Mr. Zuma took place before Mr. Brown, the British prime minister, speaking in Parliament, referred to the saga of a Chinese vessel carrying an arms shipment bound for Zimbabwe, which South African port workers in Durban refused to unload.

“Because of what has happened in South Africa, where there is an arms shipment trying to get to Zimbabwe, we will promote proposals for an embargo on all arms to Zimbabwe,” Mr. Brown said, without giving further details.

In the interview, however, Mr. Zuma declined to characterize the actions of the South African port workers in Durban as a form of sanction and said it had been inspired by a sentiment among them that, if they unloaded the arms bound for Zimbabwe, they would exacerbate the crisis there.

“There is a situation in Zimbabwe which is not like a normal situation,” Mr. Zuma said. “If the situation was normal, the arms trade is a normal thing.” But he spoke out firmly against South African military action against Zimbabwe.

“I don’t think Mbeki must apply force in Zimbabwe,” he said. “This is what countries in the world are urging South Africa to do and it is wrong. I don’t think if you are a stronger country you must then use force. Negotiations and persuasions is a necessary thing to do rather than use force.”

“All that we should do from the outside is to help what the Zimbabweans do,” he said.

He took issue, however, with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, blaming it for the delays in publicizing the results of the March 29 election.

Mr. Zuma said: “The Electoral Commission has discredited the elections. It ought to remain as an independent body. By the manner in which it has operated, it has caused a lot of doubt in its independence.”

“It has not explained why it is not releasing the results,” he said.

He also suggested a role in mediating the Zimbabwe crisis for African elder statesmen such as former President Sam Nujoma of Namibia, former President Joaquin A. Chissano of Mozambique and others from Botswana and Tanzania.

And he acknowledged that Zimbabwe’s economic plight, which has forced hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans to flee across the razor wire frontier fence to South Africa, betokened a political failure.

“We need to govern a country in such a way as it does not lead people to cross under the barbed wire,” he said. “Once that happens it means politically things have gone wrong and we have got to correct them.”

Mr. Zuma is widely tipped to succeed Mr. Mbeki as South Africa’s leader if he is acquitted on corruption charges at a trial later this year. Asked if he believed the trial would exonerate him, he said: “Absolutely, I am innocent.”

Kenya military operation targets gang

By ELIZABETH A. KENNEDY, Associated Press Writer 18 minutes ago

The military sealed off a region of western Kenya where land disputes have flared into violence, and witnesses said helicopter gunships were strafing the area Thursday to try to drive gunmen from forests and caves.

“Always in this country, people are fighting over land,” said Lucy Okello, head nurse at Kitale District Hospital, where four girls were being treated for severe burns after their village was attacked, allegedly by the Sabaot Land Defense Force, a militia fighting for the redistribution of land.

The oldest girl, 15-year-old Joanne Temuko, wailed and held her head in her hands as nurses applied balm to her scorched back.

Thirteen other civilians were hacked, shot or burned to death in the attack last week. There was no claim of responsibility. A militia member said at the time that his group was simply trying to “correct historical injustices.”

The military operation at Mount Elgon comes despite a power-sharing agreement designed to end a wave of violence that erupted after a disputed election last December. The violence awakened decades-old tensions over land and inequality.

Police manning checkpoints Thursday along dusty roads lined with banana trees and onion farms leading to Mount Elgon ordered journalists and aid workers to turn back.

There was no word on casualties in the military operation, which began Monday around Mount Elgon, an extinct volcano near the border with Uganda, where spectacular caves, waterfalls and hot springs draw hikers and other adventure tourists.

“This is a serious government operation,” said an officer at a checkpoint in Namangofulo, the last village before the foothills of Mount Elgon, about 300 miles northwest of Nairobi. “You only go through if you have a uniform.”

In Nairobi, government spokesman Alfred Mutua said journalists were being kept out of the area for their own safety.

Gunmen “have been killing people indiscriminately. We don’t want them to start killing journalists and for (journalists) to be caught in the line of fire. So it is basically keeping away journalists for their own security,” he said.

The Dec. 27 vote tapped into a well of resentment that resurfaces regularly at election time in Kenya, but this year’s bloodshed has been the most brutal and sustained by far.

The election, which international and local observers say was rigged, unleashed weeks of bloodshed that has killed more than 1,000 people and exposed simmering resentments over land and President Mwai Kibaki’s Kikuyu ethnic group, long dominant in politics and the economy.

Mutua said the aim of the military operation at Mount Elgon was to flush out and arrest suspects in killings and other crimes. He said some suspects had tried to flee across the border into Uganda.

Abdul Mwasera, the provincial commissioner in the region, said 187 people had been arrested.

“The operation will continue until these criminals surrender or are wiped out to allow peace to prevail,” Mwasera said.

Several villagers outside the area sealed off by the military said they have seen helicopter gunships firing for several days now, most recently before dawn Thursday.

“I was seeing fire,” said Jeff Ngeti, 18. “Men were running.”

Jacqueline Kamello, 27, who was working on an onion farm, said there were at least three helicopters flying in the area Thursday morning.

“I am happy about this military operation,” she said. “These land militias have been bothering us, carting away our animals, attacking our neighbors.”

The region sees frequent clashes over land, with some 800 people killed since 2006, said Ken Wafula, executive director of the Center for Human Rights and Democracy in the Rift Valley.

Much of the tension can be traced back decades. Western Kenya was flooded by Kikuyu settlers when white farmlands were returned to Kenyans after independence in 1963.

The Kikuyu quickly prospered, growing into the most powerful of Kenya’s 42 ethnic groups, controlling land and running businesses and politics.

Kibaki and his rival, Raila Odinga, have now agreed to share power. Late Thursday, Kibaki named a six-member panel to investigate the election. Such a probe had been agreed to under the same deal that led to the power-sharing accord.

A former South African constitutional court judge, Johann Kriegler, will chair the panel, said a statement from Kibaki’s office. Kriegler chaired South Africa’s electoral commission in 1993 ahead of elections that saw Nobel laureate Nelson Mandela become the country’s first black president.

Despite the political accords, western Kenya has not seen an end to violence, much of it unleashed by land disputes.

The Sabaot Land Defense Force, members of the Sabaot ethnic group, are unhappy with recent attempts to settle land grievances and have turned on groups they believe were unfairly ceded land.

The violence has been worsened by guns smuggled into Kenya through its porous borders. The Sabaot militiamen and other raiders increasingly have been spotted with assault rifles.

Okello, the head nurse at Kitale District Hospital, said more patients are coming in with gunshot wounds, as well as injuries from weapons such as bows and arrows.

“We started receiving so many more people this year, with these wounds,” she said. “I have cried for these victims so much, I can cry no more.”