ECOWAS heads to Ivory Coast to persuade Gbagbo to step down

Leaders of ECOWAS, the regional grouping of West African states will be in Ivory Coast on Tuesday December 28, 2010 to persuade Laurent Gbagbo to step down and hand over power to Allasane Ouattara.

ECOWAS on Friday urged Gbagbo to make a peaceful exit from power. The group however warned that if he fails to leave peacefully, it would use ‘legitimate force’ to remove him from office.

Ivory Coast has been plunged into political turmoil after a November 28, 2010 election run-off which both incumbent Gbagbo and opposition candidate Ouattara claimed to have won. The two men subsequently got themselves sworn into office, leading to a situation of two presidents in Ghana’s western neighbour.

According to the UN over 200 people have been confirmed killed by forces loyal to Gbagbo with over 400 being held in detention, and Gbagbo supporters have denied being responsible for the killings.

The UN has also reported that 14, 000 people have fled the country fearing a civil war.

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi