By Song Ying, Guo Chunju

    NAIROBI, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- African politicians have witnessed a turbulent yet progressive year on their continent. In the past year, they have experienced chains of events, from election disputes to reconciliation, from high-spirit in power to brave step-down, and from chaos to peace.

    In the year, African leaders have fought hard to promote peace, stability, security and development on the continent, exploring ways of reforms and innovation for the goal of pushing forward the democratic process in Africa and improving African people's livelihood.

　  CONFLICTS AND RECONCILIATION

    In 2008, the political landscape in Africa was marked by upheavals and reconciliation, reshuffle of political forces and resignation of political leaders.

    The political turbulence stemmed from the post-election violence early this year in Kenya, a country regarded as the political oasis in Africa for years. Incumbent Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki was announced winner in the country's presidential race in late December 2007, a result the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) refused to accept, declaring the elections manipulated by Kibaki.

    The large-scale violence following the dispute rocked the entire nation, claiming over 1,000 lives and forcing over 300,000 people to flee their homes.

    Under the mediation of the Panel of Eminent African Personalities led by former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, Kibaki's National Unity party and the ODM agreed to share power in February and formed a cabinet in April, with Kibaki as president, opposition leader Raila Odinga as prime minister. Other cabinet portfolios were divided by the two parties equally.

    As Kenyans saw the hope of peace, the southern African country of Zimbabwe in March embraced its fourth presidential election since independence. It was also the first time for Zimbabweans to hold concurrent elections of president, parliamentarians and local councilors on the same day.

    At the parliamentary election, the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Morgan Tsvangirai won major seats of the Lower House, while at the presidential election, Tsvangirai and incumbent President Robert Mugabe tied in votes and were supposed to compete in a second round of elections.

    However, a few days before the run-off, MDC candidate Tsvangirai announced his withdrawal from the race, citing mounting violence and threats against his party. The run-off turned out to be a one-man show with Mugabe winning 85.5 percent of the votes.

    Furious opposition supporters clashed with the backers of the ruling ZANU-PF party, protesting the "unjust" election. After months of negotiation, the two parties agreed to share power in the cabinet in September under the mediation of then South African President Thabo Mbeki, ending months-long political and economic crises in the country.

    Ironically, only after five days, the political life of Mbeki himself came to an end, as the National Executive Committee of South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), announced its decision to recall Mbeki from office on Sept. 20, "as an effort to heal and unite the party."

    To people's surprise, Mbeki immediately submitted his resignation, leaving office without any delay, paving the way for his successor, ANC deputy leader Kgalema Motlanthe, to be sworn in as interim president on Sept. 25.

    Mbeki's quick departure from power has won widespread applause and appreciation in Africa and the world. Media praised his behavior reflecting selflessness and resolution as a real statesman. His quick giving up of power helped to avoid another possible political crisis in Africa and represented the true spirit of reconciliation, analysts say.

    STABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT

    Analysts believe the key to political stability, national development and higher living standards lies on the willingness of politicians to shed partisanship, no matter for the Kenyan coalition government or for the coming Zimbabwean national unity government.

    Kenyan President Kibaki said recently, "We must learn from the mistakes of the past, but not to the extent of turning our backs against the future."

    "We must maintain our focus on the future because the younger generation is looking up to us for answers to the challenges they are continuing to face," the president was quoted by local media as saying.

    While justice needs to be done in order to deter impunity in the future, it was only through forgiveness that Kenyans could bring about enduring reconciliation and peace in the country, Kibaki said.

    The president added that his government is keen on addressing issues that will not only lead to healing and reconciliation in the short term, but also lay a firm foundation for lasting harmony, unity and stability in Kenya.

    The spirit of reconciliation was also appealed by Zambia's first president Kenneth Kaunda.

    Before Zambia's presidential by-election at the end of October, the 84-year-old founding father of Zambia told Xinhua that Africa should first promote honest governance, including holding elections in a fair and peaceful way. Presidential candidates should accept the election results as far as the election is fair and transparent.

    African Union observer Anil K. Gayan said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua that different African countries have different situations and national characteristics, with different electoral processes. Democracy can be achieved by holding a fair general election with people peacefully accepting the results. If disputes emerge from the election results, candidates should take legal measures to settle the disputes and bridge the differences.

    After the harsh test of political upheavals and sometimes even wars in the past year, African leaders have matured quickly. Amid strong calls for peace and development, the leaders are expected to be more tolerant politically, allowing different parties, sometimes even opponents, and African people to voice their ideas, make their choices, for an ultimate goal of helping their continent to grow and progress.