USA Africa Dialogue Series - President Jonathan, It Is Time To Act

Ivory Coast 'volatile' says Jonathan

2011-01-27 10:27

"The situation in Cote d'Ivoire is volatile and needs the co-operation of the international community, including the United Nations, African Union and Ecowas in maintaining a united position to resolve it," he said.

"Our priority remains the early resolution of this crisis within the context of Ecowas' principled stand against impunity and the use of state power to subvert the right of citizens to freely choose their leaders."

Jonathan, chairperson of the 15-nation regional bloc Economic Community of West African States, however added that "all options remain on the table".

Ecowas has yet to follow through on initial threats to oust Ivorian strongman Laurent Gbagbo by force, and a leaked report this week showed AU mediator and former South African president Thabo Mbeki pushed a negotiated settlement as the only workable solution to the crisis.

African support for a military intervention in Ivory Coast has appeared to be waning.

African Union and Ecowas missions to Abidjan have failed so far to resolve the bloody crisis.

- AFP