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Ecowas Troops to Be Sent to Côte d'Ivoire

Business Day (Johannesburg)
NEWS
October 1, 2002
Posted to the web October 1, 2002

By Xolani Xundu

AN AFRICAN force consisting of troops from six countries is to be sent to Côte
d'Ivoire to help suppress the military insurrection there in the first African
Union (AU) action since President Thabo Mbeki took over as head of the newly
constituted organisation.
Mbeki said at the African National Congress policy conference in Kempton Park
yesterday that the decision had been taken at a meeting of the Economic
Community of West African States (Ecowas) on Sunday, where he was present.
"The Ecowas insisted that it was important that the chairperson of the AU
should also be present, given the gravity of the matter and its implications
for that region as a whole," he said.
Mbeki said there was a problem with rebels wanting to remove an elected
government in Côte d'Ivoire. If this was not resolved quickly, there was a
danger it might spread to other countries in the region.
Ecowas decided to put together a military force of west African states
immediately to go to Côte d'Ivoire to protect and assist in suppression of the
insurrection.
"They would (also) immediately put together a mediation team to talk to the
rebels to get them to cease shooting and enter into discussions with the
government. But of course, if that fails the necessary measures would have to
be taken to suppress the rebellion," said Mbeki.
These decisions would help resolve the matter.

   

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