Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Elders group of global leaders have issued a statement condemning the violence and “grave violations of human rights” in the Ivory Coast.
The Elders said they were “deeply saddened” by the “tragic loss of life” in the violence stirred up by incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo’s refusal to hand over the presidential reins to Alassane Ouattara, who won last year’s presidential election and as such is the Ivory Coast’s internationally recognised President.
Gbagbo refuses to surrender despite being surrounding in the presidential palace in Abidjan by forces loyal to Ouattara.
The Elders said that while Gbagbo must bear “primary responsibility” for the violence, they added that Ouattara should also shoulder some responsibility for allowing the violence to escalate by forces under his control.
“They must demand an immediate end to the attacks on civilians and UN personnel,” the Elders insisted.
Archbishop Tutu called upon Ouattara to publicly become accountable to a process of peaceful transformation and takeover of power.
“His actions and words in the coming days are critical to the future of the Ivory Coast,” Tutu said.
“The people need reconciliation, not retaliation. They need a leader who can bring peace and put the country back on the path to prosperity.
“He can do this by demonstrating that he will govern for all Ivorians, and is worthy of the trust placed in him through the elections.”
Tutu’s fellow Elder and former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said: “The violence must stop and the atrocities and human rights abuses must be investigated.
“Those who perpetrated these terrible crimes, in Duekoue and elsewhere, must be held accountable.
“There is only one Ivory Coast and the leaders and the people must understand that. They have no option but to reconcile, heal and live together.
“This will be a difficult process, but the country needs to find a path to national unity.”
(Image from file).