Political leaders in Africa have been called upon to accept results of elections in their respective countries in order to avoid election related violence.
Budaka MP, Loy Kiryapawo
The Member of Parliament for Budaka, Loy Kiryapawo says many leaders in Africa are still unwilling to accept results of elections, instead claiming they were rigged. She says many lives and property have been lost due to election related violence, giving the example of the December 2007 election violence in Kenya when the Ralia Odinga led political coalition refused to accept the controversial win of Kenya President Mwai Kibaki.
Kiryapawo says political leaders aggrieved with results of elections should instead go to courts of law in order to overturn the elections instead of resorting to instigating violence.
She was contributing to a debate on election stability in Africa which was taking place at Speke Resort Munyonyo as part of precursor meetings for the UN International Criminal Court Review conference that is slated to start in Kampala Uganda on Monday May 31st.
The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Jose Moreno Ocampo told delegates gathered in Kampala that ICC is ready to prosecute all politicians that instigate violence after elections.