STATEMENT BY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE RAILA ODINGA, PRIME MINISTER OF KENYA AND AFRICAN UNION MEDIATOR FOR THE COTE D’IVOIRE ELECTORAL CRISIS

                 Kenyan Prime Minister Raila addresses the media in Ivory Coast


19 January 2011

As you know, this was my second visit here as the African Union mediator for the resolution of the electoral crisis gripping Cote d’Ivoire. Despite extensive discussions on Monday with Mr. Laurent Gbagbo and President-elect Alassane Ouattara that went very late into the night, I regret to announce that the breakthrough that was needed did not materialize.
One of the principal goals of my mission was to convince Mr. Gbagbo to accept that he needed to put his presidency on the agenda of the discussions. In addition, it was imperative that the blockade of the Golf Hotel be lifted. Mr. Gbagbo gave me an assurance that this blockade would be lifted yesterday, but he broke that promise - for the second time in two weeks.
On Mr. Ouattara’s side, I had indicated to him that he would need to appoint a number of Mr. Gbagbo’s allies to any Cabinet he would form as President, so that the country’s deep divisions can begin to be healed. The winner take all mentality has no place in the new Africa of inclusion and unity we are trying to build.
I also indicated to Mr. Ouattara that in the event of a speedy and peaceful resolution of the crisis, he should provide Mr. Gbagbo iron-clad assurances about his freedom to choose with dignity and security his future options, including the option of continuing in politics in Cote d’Ivoire or to settle in a country of his choice. Mr. Ouattara had confirmed that Mr. Gbagbo’s allies would be appointed to 25 percent of Cabinet positions.
As I have said before, the refusal to respect the will of the Ivoirians as expressed in the November elections will deal a severe blow to the wave of democracy that is sweeping Africa. The resulting disillusionment with the electoral process will risk the spread of instability and insecurity on the continent.
A record 17 presidential elections are being held in Africa this year, and if the continent’s people came to believe that their votes were not what brought to power the leaders they wanted, elections would become meaningless and pave the way for unrest and instability throughout the continent.
With internal tensions and hardships already mounting and bound to escalate amid the destabilizing uncertainty about the future, time is running out for an amicably negotiated settlement. In addition, the window of opportunity for any amnesty will continue to close if Mr. Gbagbo’s supporters continue to commit crimes against civilians and peacekeepers. Mr. Gbagbo must know that his actions may compel the friends of Cote d’Ivoire to resort to a different set of measures in support of democracy, security and stability in the country.
Despite yesterday’s setback, I still remain hopeful that a peaceful resolution is within our grasp and am ready to return if the situation so warrants. No one in Cote d’Ivoire should contemplate the alternative path to resolving this electoral impasse, which would require additional punishing economic and financial sanctions, and possibly the use of force that both the African Union and ECOWAS have set as their last resort. To avoid going that route, I appeal to all African leaders to continue to speak with one voice in supporting the principled positions that their two Organizations have adopted.