Ivorian stalemate worries PM Odinga

By NATION REPORTERPosted Wednesday, February 23 2011 at 22:33

Prime Minister Raila Odinga is disappointed by the slow pace of resolving the leadership crisis in Côte d’Ivoire.

“The progress has been slow but I’d like to congratulate the people of Côte d’Ivoire for being patient,” he said.

At a news conference in Nairobi, Mr Odinga disclosed that military chiefs from the Economic Community of West African countries had started marshalling their forces in readiness to oust Mr Laurent Gbagbo from power if sanctions and peace talks fail to convince him to quit power.

Assets frozen

Mr Gbagbo rejected the election outcome won by parallel President Alassane Ouattara, insisting he won the November 28 polls.

Mr Odinga reiterated that force will only be used as “a last resort”.

Presidents Jacob Zuma of South Africa, Idriss Deby (Chad), Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania) and Mohammed Ould abdel Aziz of Mauritania are in Côte d’Ivoire to find a solution by February 28.

In Nairobi, Mr Odinga said: “I hope that the Heads of State will persuade Mr Gbagbo to exit.”

The PM said the Ivorian economy was hurting, but he hoped the economic sanctions placed on the country would convince him to quit.

Sanctions include a US Treasury freeze of Mr Gbagbo’s assets and a ban on Americans doing business with his government.

West Africa’s central bank has also blocked Mr Gbagbo’s access to the nation’s assets, giving that power instead to Mr Ouattara.