ADDIS ABABA - Five African leaders were assigned to resolve Ivory Coast's crisis on Monday, but a swift breakthrough looked unlikely as both rivals in a power struggle since a disputed election held their ground.
Presidents of South Africa, Tanzania, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Chad will form a panel charged with solving a stand-off between incumbent Laurent Gbagbo and rival Alassane Ouattara within a month, an official for the African Union said at the AU Summit.
Ahoua Don Mello, spokesperson for Gbagbo's government, said the panel was an "excellent" idea that would force the AU to reverse its stance recognising Ouattara as winner of the November 28 poll in line with UN-certified results.
"Faced with the truth, they will have to (change their position)," he added.
In a statement on Monday, Ouattara's camp called on the commission to complete its work within the month to put an end to the suffering in the country and "block Gbagbo's desire to provoke chaos in Ivory Coast".
The statement highlighted AU statements reconfirming Ouattara as the recognised leader.
"Diplomatically, it gives Gbagbo another month," a diplomat who is following the process said.
"The general view (in Ouattara's camp) is that it simply doesn't matter. They (the presidents) ... will be told by Gbagbo that he is not leaving," added the diplomat of impressions based on contacts with both parties in the dispute.
Ouattara was named winner of the poll by the UN-certified results from the election commission. But the results were reversed by a pro-Gbagbo legal body, which cited fraud in the pro-Ouattara north of the country.
Ouattara has since been recognised as president-elect by most world leaders but remains blocked in a hotel, protected by UN troops, while Gbagbo retains the loyalty of the armed forces and has rejected calls to stand down.
Both men have formed their respective governments.
The AU said in a statement that the panel met for the first time on Monday and agreed to send a team of experts on a preparatory mission to Ivory Coast.
"The Panel will, thereafter, travel to Ivory Coast to meet with the parties and submit to them proposals for a way out of the crisis," the AU said in a statement that gave no time-frame, except confirming that the panel would complete its work within a month.
The elections were meant to reunite the country which has been divided since a 2002-3 war. Instead, it has deepened fault lines, with more than 260 people killed and tens of thousands fleeing into Liberia.
Zuma to broker Ivory Coast peace
ADDIS ABABA - Five African leaders were assigned to resolve Ivory Coast's crisis on Monday, but a swift breakthrough looked unlikely as both rivals in a power struggle since a disputed election held their ground.
Presidents of South Africa, Tanzania, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Chad will form a panel charged with solving a stand-off between incumbent Laurent Gbagbo and rival Alassane Ouattara within a month, an official for the African Union said at the AU Summit.
Ahoua Don Mello, spokesperson for Gbagbo's government, said the panel was an "excellent" idea that would force the AU to reverse its stance recognising Ouattara as winner of the November 28 poll in line with UN-certified results.
"Faced with the truth, they will have to (change their position)," he added.
In a statement on Monday, Ouattara's camp called on the commission to complete its work within the month to put an end to the suffering in the country and "block Gbagbo's desire to provoke chaos in Ivory Coast".
The statement highlighted AU statements reconfirming Ouattara as the recognised leader.
"Diplomatically, it gives Gbagbo another month," a diplomat who is following the process said.
"The general view (in Ouattara's camp) is that it simply doesn't matter. They (the presidents) ... will be told by Gbagbo that he is not leaving," added the diplomat of impressions based on contacts with both parties in the dispute.
Ouattara was named winner of the poll by the UN-certified results from the election commission. But the results were reversed by a pro-Gbagbo legal body, which cited fraud in the pro-Ouattara north of the country.
Ouattara has since been recognised as president-elect by most world leaders but remains blocked in a hotel, protected by UN troops, while Gbagbo retains the loyalty of the armed forces and has rejected calls to stand down.
Both men have formed their respective governments.
The AU said in a statement that the panel met for the first time on Monday and agreed to send a team of experts on a preparatory mission to Ivory Coast.
"The Panel will, thereafter, travel to Ivory Coast to meet with the parties and submit to them proposals for a way out of the crisis," the AU said in a statement that gave no time-frame, except confirming that the panel would complete its work within a month.
The elections were meant to reunite the country which has been divided since a 2002-3 war. Instead, it has deepened fault lines, with more than 260 people killed and tens of thousands fleeing into Liberia.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos