Odinga blames Gbagbo for Ivory Coast mediation failure

Abidjan, 19 Jan – (ANA) - Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said that an African effort to mediate Ivory Coast's disputed poll had failed on  blaming incumbent Laurent Gbagbo and warning of harsh sanctions or force if he did not step down.

Alassane Ouattara was proclaimed winner of a November 28 poll by the electoral commission and is internationally recognised as president-elect, but Gbagbo has refused to resign, alleging the vote was rigged. He maintains control of the army, much of the cocoa sector and state institutions.

"Despite extensive discussions ... with Mr Laurent Gbagbo and President-elect Alassane Ouattara, that went very late into the night, I regret to announce that the breakthrough that was needed, did not materialise," Odinga told reporters at the airport as he was about to leave.

"Time is running out," he added of efforts to peacefully resolve the stand-off between the two rival claimants that risks sending the world's top cocoa grower back into a civil war.

"Unless they (Gbagbo's camp) heed the call and agree to create a conducive environment for peaceful dialogue, the friends of Ivory Coast might be forced to take other measures...which would require additional punishing economic and financial sanctions, and possibly the use of force." (ANA)

FA/ANA/19 January 2011------