KENYA: Kibaki and envoys develop ICC deferral bid
This Wednesday, President Kibaki held a meeting with 23 UN envoys in an effort to convince the UN to defer the International Criminal Court (ICC) cases of six senior Kenyan politicians accused of organizing the post-election violence that claimed more than 1,200 lives in 2008.  In deliberations with their host countries, the envoys will emphasize two main points: (1) the cases could destabilize Kenya, threatening the security of the region; (2) the Kenyan judiciary system is currently being reformed so Kenya can try the perpetrators in-country.  Many domestic and international parties disagree with Kibaki's reasoning; 29 Kenyan political parties, including the Prime Minister, disapprove of deferral, stating it will encourage impunity and hinder the country's reform agenda.  Comment: Representatives of the U.S. and Britain, both permanent members of the UN Security Council, have issued statements saying their respective countries will likely veto Kibaki's request.  Conversely, the AU endorsed the referral, insisting that holding the trials in-country will support and strengthen local institutions.  (The Standard, Daily Nation, Capitol FM)

SUDAN: Violence in south Sudan leaves more than 200 dead
During a two day massacre in south Sudan that began on February 9, more than 200 people were killed by militia forces loyal to rebel leader George Athor.  Mostly civilians were killed in the in the attacks that occurred in Jonglei, the region's most populous state, and ended with the south Sudan army expulsing the loyalists and regaining control of captured areas.  Athor is reneging on the cease-fire he signed this January after he took up arms in 2010 when he lost the election for governor.  Comment: The increase in violence is an example of the challenges a newly independent south Sudan faces in unifying the country and improving security.  (CNN, BBC, Sudan Tribune)

UGANDA: Uganda holds presidential and parliament elections
Ugandan voters will go the polls today to vote either for incumbent Presdient Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for 25 years, or his rival Kizza Besigye, in Uganda's first presidential election since 2006.  Citizens of the country and the international community are worried that today's elections will not be free and transparent.  Museveni has been accused of vote rigging in the past, although recent polls suggest Museveni will likely secure enough votes to win another five-year term.  Comment: Besigye declared his distrust of the electoral commission and that his team will establish their own tally center to tabulate the results.  Besigye also threatened that his supporters might hold protests if his tallying results do not match official results. In response, Museveni announced he will jail anyone who tries to spark "Egypt-like" protests in the country.  (AP, The Independent, Global Post)