African mission in Ivory Coast Gbagbo provide immunity if it stops the power

The presidents of Benin, Cape Verde and Sierra Leone and the prime minister of Kenya are now in Ivory Coast to provide legal immunity to Laurent Gbagbo, in exchange for him to yield power peacefully to Alassane Outara. The mission of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) is a last attempt to persuade Gbagbo and avoid war.

Gbagbo has so far rejected all calls to recognize his defeat in the elections on November 28 against Ouattara. And has ignored international condemnation and threats to oust him by force. "There are indications that Gbagbo would accept a resignation, but wants assurances it will not be prosecuted for human rights violations or similar offenses he leaves office," said Efe ECOWAS source who asked not to be revealed identity.

The source added that he had accepted this condition and recalled what happened to former Liberian President Charles Taylor, who agreed to resign and be given asylum in Nigeria, but is being tried by the tribunal in The Hague. In addition, Gbagbo wants to keep its foreign accounts now blocked, at least in the U.S.

and the European Union, and "that his main supporters have a place in the new government" of Ouattara, the source said. The offer would be the last attempt, before the use of military force to persuade Gbagbo to cede power peacefully Ouattara, recognized by the international community and won the second round of the Ivorian presidential election on 28th November According to officials of ECOWAS.

The president Yayi Boni of Benin, Pedro Pires of Cape Verde, and Ernest Koroma of Sierra Leone, and were on Tuesday in Ivory Coast and Gbagbo warned that ECOWAS can use military force to compel him to relinquish power if not delivered to Ouattara. The mission was joined Raila Odinga, Kenyan Prime Minister of the AU envoy, who met yesterday in Abuja with Nigerian President and holder of the rotating ECOWAS, Goodluck Jonathan, to coordinate their positions.

Ivory Coast faces a resumption of civil war (2002-007) who left the country divided and controlled in the south by the armed and security forces loyal to Gbagbo, and northern New Forces of Soro, not disarmed after the conflict and support to Ouattara.

• African leaders to pressure Gbagbo to cede power (03/01/2011)
• West African Leaders To Confront Laurent Gbagbo (28/12/2010)
• Gbagbo is pushing Ivory Coast to the brink of war (22/12/2010)
• Ivory Coast Gbagbo's last chance to avoid force: rival (01/01/2011)
• New Year's warning - Gbagbo backers plan to seize hotel (30/12/2010)

Laurent Gbagbo (wikipedia)