Ivory Coast's Ouattara 'rejects' African Union mediator
Thousands of supporters of Mr Gbagbo gathered in Abidjan to hold an
overnight rally
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Ivory Coast's Alassane Ouattara has rejected the African Union's
choice of mediator in the country's crisis.
The African Union has appointed former Cape Verde Foreign Minister
Jose Brito to mediate the country away from the brink of civil war.
Mr Ouattara is internationally recognised as the winner of last year's
presidential election against the incumbent President, Laurent Gbagbo.
Supporters of Mr Gbagbo have held a large rally in the capital,
Abidjan.
Mr Gbagbo is resisting calls for him to cede power to Mr Ouattara.
The UN refugee agency says as many as one million people may have fled
violence in the country between supporters of the rivals.
Sanctions call
In a statement, Mr Ouattara said Mr Brito was an inappropriate choice
for mediator due to his "personal ties" with Mr Gbagbo, AFP news
agency reported.
Continue reading the main story
Ivory Coast: Battle for power
462 killed since disputed election
1m forced from their homes
9,000 UN peacekeepers to monitor 2003 ceasefire
Election intended to reunite country
World's largest cocoa producer
Previously seen as haven of peace and prosperity in West Africa
Alassane Ouattara recognised as president-elect
International sanctions imposed to force Laurent Gbagbo to go
Harding blog: Will the world prevent war?
Mr Ouattara said he "deeply regrets not having been consulted, nor
having been approached" about Mr Brito's appointment.
He cited Mr Brito's "personal relationship and his political
connection, known to everyone in Ivory Coast, with the incumbent
President Laurent Gbagbo."
The statement continued: "Moreover, this decision does not conform to
the expressed will to appoint a former head of state in this function.
Consequently, the Presidency of the Republic of Ivory Coast rejects
Jose Brito as the AU high representative."
Earlier in March the African Union recognised Mr Ouattara as the
legitimate winner of the November election and endorsed a plan for him
to put in place an inclusive government.
Talks between the two men were to have begun on Thursday but violence
between the two sides has flared, with 52 killed in Abidjan alone in
the past week, according to the UN.
Pro-Gbagbo rally
On Saturday, several thousand supporters of Mr Gbagbo occupied the
square in Abidjan outside the presidential palace to hold an overnight
rally.
It was called by Charles Ble Goude, leader of the pro-Gbagbo Young
Patriots movement, who showed up carrying a mattress.
The 9,000-strong UN mission in Ivory Coast has accused pro-Gbagbo
forces of firing shells at pro-Ouattara areas, causing widespread
civilian casualties.
Pro-Ouattara forces in Abidjan have also been accused of killing
supporters of Mr Gbagbo.
France has circulated a draft resolution at the UN calling for
sanctions against Mr Gbagbo and his allies.
The election was supposed to reunify the country which has been
divided since a 2002 civil war.
The pro-Ouattara New Forces remain in control of northern Ivory Coast.
They have recently gained some ground in the west, but most of their
forces remain to the north of the 2003 ceasefire line.
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