Ivory Coast talks to go on, but for Ouattara “discussions are terminated”

by Sara Atteby | 4 janvier 2011 0 h 20 min

Guilliame Soro Alassane Ouattara

African leaders held talks on Monday in Ivory Coast with the aim of resolving the Electoral crisis after run off polls held in November of 2010. Meeting first with Laurent Gbagbo this afternoon at the Presidential Palace and then Alassane Ouattara later at the Golf Hotel in Abidjan, the talks ended this evening with no clear resolution.

According to Reuters the talks ended with no deal, but are expected to continue. Sierra Leone’s, Ernest Bai Koroma was quoted as saying, « We have had very, very important meetings … At this stage we can only say the discussions are ongoing. »

However on Monday evening Ouattara himself said at a press conference that, “For us, the discussions are terminated.”

Gbagbo again made it clear today that he is not prepared to step down from power and will not accept a settlement deal.

Representing the AU, Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga attended the talks along with West African Presidents Boni Yayi (Benin), Ernest Koroma (Sierra Leone) and Pedro Pires (Cape Verde).

By Sara Atteby