USA Africa Dialogue Series - UNSC Urged To Okay Cote d'Ivoire Invasion

UNSC urged to okay Ivory Coast invasion

 

Nigerian Foreign Minister Odein Ajumogobia

Nigeria has called on the UN Security Council to authorize the use of force against the contested Ivorian leader Laurent Gbagbo and force him to give up power.

Nigeria's Foreign Minister Odein Ajumogobia says this is the only way to legitimize the use of external force and ensure peace in Ivory Coast.

"... The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) requires unequivocal international support through an appropriate United Nations Security Council resolution to sanction the use of force," Ajumogobia wrote in an editorial in a Nigerian newspaper.
"This is the only way to legitimize the use of external force to effectively contain the increasingly volatile internal situation and ensure an enduring peace in Cote d'Ivoire and the West African sub-region."

"Gbagbo must be made to understand that there is a very real prospect of overwhelming military capability bearing down on him and his cohorts."

"It is only then that he will give serious consideration to the demands that he step down immediately."

Meanwhile, the internationally-recognized winner of the presidential election, Alassane Ouattara has called for a month-long ban on cocoa exports to pressure Gbagbo to step down. However, Gbagbo's youth minister said the incumbent is not prepared to make any compromise.

Speaking to thousands of Gbagbo supporters, Charles Ble Goude ruled out the possibility of negotiations over Ivory Coast's freedom on Monday.

Gbagbo and his rival Ouattara have been locked in a standoff since the presidential elections in November. Tensions further escalated after they both claimed victory and formed separate cabinets.

The UN recognized Ouattara as the winner of the presidential election in Ivory Coast and announced that it only accepts Ouattara's representative as the Ivorian envoy to the international body.

The disputed presidential election has raised the risk of a long power struggle that could trigger another civil war in the country.

JR/HGH/MMN