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“Mr Gbago must know that his action may compel friends of Cote d’Ivoire to resort to a different set of measures in support of democracy, security and stability in that country,” Odinga, the African Union mediator for Ivory Coast, told reporters in Ghana.
He did not specify the measures, but reiterated his earlier statement that “time is running out for an amicably negotiated settlement.”
The west African bloc ECOWAS has threatened to use force if Gbagbo does not cede power to his internationally recognized rival Alassane Ouattara.
But Ghana has ruled out sending troops and opposes a military intervention. Some analysts have also said sanctions may be possible.
Odinga traveled to Ghana, one of the 15 members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), after leaving Abidjan on Wednesday.
“I now understand Ghana’s decision to not send troops to Cote d’Ivoire,” he said after talks with Ghana President John Atta Mills.
“I am now convinced that the impression out there that Ghana has broken ranks with ECOWAS is not true, but Ghana is supporting every initiative by ECOWAS to ensure that there is peace in Cote d’Ivoire.”
Before their closed-door talks, Mills pledged his country’s support to the ECOWAS bid to mediate an end to the crisis.
“Ghana is committed to the mediation efforts being made by ECOWAS to ensure that the crisis is resolved as early as possible,” Mills told reporters.
Odinga left Abidjan earlier Wednesday saying he had failed to achieve a breakthrough in the political crisis, but said he remained hopeful.-AFP
Online Reporter