ECOWAS elated over AU decision

The ECOWAS Commission yesterday lauded the move by the African Union to give mediation another chance in efforts to resolve the Ivorian crisis, indicating that it was an appropriate decision.

Victor Gbeho, President of the ECOWAS Commission said in an interview on the sidelines of the ongoing AU Summit here in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, that ECOWAS supports the decision by the AU to allow more consultations and mediation to settle the Ivorian crisis.

The AU Commission announced on Saturday at a news conference at the ongoing AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, that a high level panel of mediators would be set up to hold further consultations and mediations to encourage Laurent Gbagbo, the incumbent Ivorian leader to cede power.

The decision comes after mediation efforts led by Kenyan Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, the AU appointed mediator on Cote d'Ivoire failed.

But the AU Commission is optimistic the second mediation effort, which would be more comprehensive, would be successful.

According to Mr. Gbeho, the decision by the AU falls in line with the decision of ECOWAS to ensure that all peaceful means were explored to resolve the crisis.

Asked about the next line of action of ECOWAS on Cote d'Ivoire, he said they would wait for the outcome of the second mediation, which is expected after a month, before a decision would be taken.

"We are confident this will be successful," he told reporters.

Correcting reports that ECOWAS was interested in using military force to solve the crisis, he said ECOWAS Commission has never advocated the use of military force.

He said ECOWAS Heads of State have agreed that all peaceful measures should be explored to resolve the crisis, failing which other options including legitimate force approved by the UN could be used as the last resort.