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The Bishops’ Conference urged Gbagbo and rival Alassane Ouattara who both claim the presidency following the November 28 presidential poll to “find a peaceful settlement through dialogue … so as not to endanger people’s lives”.
US STEPS UP EFFORTS TO OUST GBAGBO
In their statement the bishops warned the regional bloc ECOWAS of the “incalculable consequences of a military intervention” should Gbagbo refuse to step down.
The latest bid by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union to mediate an end to the crisis that has seen at least 200 people killed since the disputed November 28 election floundered on Tuesday.
West African military chiefs have set in motion plans to oust Gbagbo if negotiations fail, with another crisis mediation mission to be decided soon.
“We say no to such an intervention,” said the bishops’ statement, also calling for “solidarity” between countries of the west African region.
They also asked the United Nations which supports Ouattara to respect their country’s sovereignty. Gbagbo has asked UN troops in Ivory Coast to leave.
Ivory Coast has a population of about 20 million — with Christians and Muslims each representing 40 percent and animists the remaining 20 percent.-AFP
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