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Life Onboard |
LAST UPDATE
March 3, 2008
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| February 6, 2008 |
Conflict in Kenya through the eyes of Florence Mpaayei |
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Florence hopes that cultural exchange between Kenya and Japan continues, and urged Peace Boat to be a friend to Kenya as it rebuilds |
Kenya, a magical land of endless blue skies and rolling green savannas inhabited by majestic animals, has historically acted as an oasis of peace in East Africa and as a pipeline of humanitarian aid to nearby conflict-struck nations. However, Kenya broke out in violence following the re-election of Mwai Kibaki as president on December 27, 2007. The continuing violence in Kenya forced Peace Boat to forgo its scheduled call to Mombasa, Kenya, and instead make port in Richards Bay, South Africa. Peace Boat was filled with sadness for the people of Kenya, as well as disappointment at not being able to experience the wonders of Kenya firsthand. |
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| One day, Florence joined a GET (Global English and Español Training) onboard language class as a guest |
Fortunately, Florence Mpaayei, the Executive Director of the Nairobi Peace Initiative-Africa (NPI), and the East Africa regional initiator for the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), joined the 60th voyage from the Seychelles to Richards Bay. Though she questioned seriously whether she could leave her country in its current state of conflict, Florence decided that it was important for her to share the story of Kenya with the participants of the 60th voyage, now unable to see Kenya for themselves. |
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| Peace Boat organized onboard fundraising to support Florence’s work through the Nairobi Peace Initiative-Africa on the 60th voyage, and will continue to provide support from fundraising activities in Japan (see here) |
Florence first lectured on the conflict in Kenya and the events that led up to the recent outbreak of violence. Though Kenya has appeared peaceful for many years, frustration has been building due to dissatisfaction with the government, resettlement issues in the post-colonial era, proposed amendment of the constitution, and an unequal distribution of resources and development throughout the country. The question of foul play in the December 27 election proved the snapping point for dissatisfied Kenya, which erupted in violent riots that have killed between 600 and 1000 people and driven over a quarter of a million Kenyans from their homes. However, President Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga finally met on January 24 in Nairobi to discuss building a road to peace. Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who mediated the talks, indicated that first steps toward a peaceful resolution to the crisis had been made. |
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| Participants who assisted Florence in organizing onboard events gathered on deck for a group picture |
NPI-Africa, which currently works to effect peace and reconciliation through education and the facilitation of dialogue between people, was founded by a group of concerned individuals who recognized the need to talk about peace in Africa. NPI-Africa organizes international political conferences in addition to regional workshops, and conducts fieldwork to investigate areas affected by conflict. In one case in 2001, an announcement by the president revoking people’s right to charge rent on housing in the Kibera slum catalyzed a crisis in the slum. NPI-Africa then encouraged different organizations and religious groups to spread messages of peace, and arranged for the President to speak in Kibera publicly, successfully resolving the conflict without force. To teach Peace Boat participants about peace building, Florence facilitated a conflict resolution workshop onboard Peace Boat in which she challenged participants to discuss the concepts of truth, justice, forgiveness and peace. |
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| Saying farewell during Florence’s last day onboard |
When people think of Africa, many think of war, famine, and disease, but Florence says, “some of us are writing a different story about Africa, where there is peace, where children are healthy, and where we can enjoy the beautiful African wildlife.”
For more information about the Nairobi Peace Initiative-Africa, visit: www.npi-africa.org
For more information about the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict, visit: www.gppac.net
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