CrisisWatch, published monthly by the Brussels-based Crisis Group, listed seven actual or potential conflict situations around the world that deteriorated in January. After the controversial elections in Kenya led to escalating violence, CrisisWatch place the country on their list. The violence in Kenya, increasingly along ethnic lines, has force thousands of people from their homes and has caused what Crisis Group officials say is over 900 deaths, the Crisis Group reported.

Officials say future violence in Kenya could come to an end as a result of mediation efforts led by former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Kenya has been identified by CrisisWatch as both a conflict risk alert and a conflict resolution opportunity for February.

Also on the CrisisWatch list is Chad where 300 rebel vehicles made threatening advances towards the capital of N'Djamena. The Zimbabwe government's attempted negotiations with opposition Movement for Democratic Change collapsed in January over constitution and election disputes.

Also cited on the list in January were Somalia, Yemen, Lebanon and Sri Lanka where problems of unrest continue.

Looking into February, CrisisWatch listed Pakistan as a potential region for conflict risk alerts while Uganda was identified for having a potential conflict resolution opportunity.