AU mediator back in Ivory Coast

As unrest rumbles on in Ivory Coast, the African Union (AU) mediator has begun talks with incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo to persuade him to leave office.

Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga is on his second mission to Abidjan in a bid to secure a peaceful solution to the country’s political standoff.

The UN and much of the international community have already recognized former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara as president. But Gbagbo refuses to give in, claiming his rival rigged the November vote.

Odinga, prior to his arrival in Abidjan, met with the head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.

The 15-member ECOWAS has threatened to use military force to remove Gbagbo if he does not hand over power to Ouattara, the internationally-recognized winner of November election.

“Stalling allows him [Gbagbo] to import arms, ammunition, and to recruit mercenaries and militia so that he can continue to kill the Ivorian people,” AFP quoted Odinga as saying.

Upon arrival in Abidjan, he said that he has returned with an open mind as both the AU and ECOWAS want a peaceful resolution to the crisis. Military force is the last resort, he said, arguing such a move would likely cost the lives of innocent people and disrupt the Ivorian economy.

Mediation by both ECOWAS and the AU has so far produced no concrete results. African leaders have ruled out any power-sharing agreement.

Odinga is expected to later hold talks with president-elect Alassane Ouattara.