WANEP kicks against proposals for military action against Laurent Gbagbo

Emmanuel Bombande

Sub-regional NGO, the West African Network for Peace-building is urging the international community to identify power-brokers and conflict entrepreneurs within Laurent Gbagbo's camp for a mediated settlement of the political crisis.

Incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo has refused to bow to pressure to hand over power to opposition leader Alassane Ouattara who is widely recognized as winner of the run-off polls held last month.

There have been suggestions that Mr. Gbagbo be removed by military force. But WANEP's Executive Director, Emmanuel Bombande, says military intervention will only worsen the crisis.

“A military option is not viable and it will even further exacerbate the situation. What should rather happen and should happen as soon as possible and practicable is that you go to the negotiation table, you provide the space for Laurent Gbagbo to put on the table what he wants, what are his fears, what are his anxieties, and what [guarantees] he needs to step down,” stated.

Mr Bombande maintained that “on that table, the principal issue which is non-negotiable is that the will of the people of La Cote d'Ivoire must be respected.”