AFRICA/CÔTE D' IVOIRE - Cautious optimism after mission sent by South African president Thabo Mbeki

Thursday, 2 February 2006

Abidjan (Fides Service) - “We are moderately optimistic” say local observers in Abidjan, the economic capital of Côte d'Ivoire with regard to the outcome of a mission to the west African country concluded yesterday February 1 by a South African delegation. The South African president Thabo Mbeki, in fact, has been charged by the international community to act as mediator in the Ivorian crisis.
The SA mission led by defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota said it was “very satisfied after talks with all the involved Ivorian parties who confirmed their commitment to work together”.
“The first proof of this commitment will be seen tomorrow 3 February when prime minister Charles Konan Banny goes to Bouaké the main city of the area of Côte d'Ivoire under the control of the New Forces rebels” local sources said.
Since September 200, the north west of the country has been in the hands of New Forces rebels who oppose President Laurent Gbagbo. After various events a national unity government was formed with the participation of the rebel leadership. “However the executive never managed to hold a plenary meeting because the rebel ministers fearing for their own safety failed to turn up” local sources recall. “It is necessary to build trust between the sides and this is what the local Catholic Church it trying to do”.
On 19 January at the end of their plenary assembly the Catholic Bishops of Côte d'Ivoire issued a call for dialogue underlining “that the most ardent desire of all Ivorians is peace obtained with peaceful means such as dialogue, agreement and reconciliation” and urging the people to behave calmly with wisdom and discernment”.
Also in January when there were serious incidents in the streets in Abidjan, the Bishops said “occupation of the streets with demonstrators is not the best way to obtain the return of peace”. The Bishops urged the Young Patriots group not to a “fall into the trap of insurrection and violence” (see Fides 23 January 2006). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 2/2/2006 righe 35 parole 350)


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