ECOWAS' Position On Cote d'Ivoire Stands – Jonathan

ECOWAS' Position On Cote d'Ivoire Stands – Jonathan

ECOWAS' Chairman and Nigeria 's President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has said that the position of the regional bloc on Cote d'Ivoire 's political impasse still stands.

Jonathan restated the position of the regional economic bloc at a meeting with the African Union Envoy on Cote d'Ivoire , Prime Minister Raila Odinga of Kenya , at the State House, Abuja .

ECOWAS had, at its last emergency meeting in Abuja resolved to oust the former President of Cote d'Ivoire , Laurent Gbagbo, by legitimate force if he failed to yield power peacefully.

A statement on the outcome of the closed door meeting between Jonathan and Odinga said that ECOWAS would be happy to peacefully resolve the impasse in that country.

''We have not changed the position we took during our last summit. We would continue to consult with leaders of the sub-region on the issue ,'' Jonathan said.

He reiterated the need for all stakeholders to allow votes to count in all elections.

''The votes of citizens must count after they are cast or democracy will not take hold on the continent,'' Jonathan said.

President Jonathan's meeting comes as Mr. Raila Odinga visits Cote d'Ivoire for further talks with Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara.

Stampede as UN wards off attack

Reports from Abidjan says offices, shops and banks were hurriedly closed in Plateau-on Monday, as UN peacekeepers shot in the air to ward off an attack by an irate group known as the Young Patriots.

Plateau is in central Abidjan and is the administrative and economic hub of the country, the world's largest cocoa producer.

There was pandemonium as motorists drove against traffic, while workers, businessmen and students rushed to leave the central town following the sound of gunshots.

The UN patrol team was stationed at the Pullman Hotel waiting for Kenya 's Prime Minister Raila Odinga when the Young Patriots started surging toward the hotel.

The Ivorian dreaded group, known for protests and violence, supports the continued stay of defeated President Laurent Gbagbo in office.

The UN endorsed the announcement of Mr. Alassane Ouattara as the winner of the November 28 presidential run-off election, pitting the UN and its peacekeepers against Gbagbo.

An eyewitness at the Pullman Hotel said that the UN patrol vehicles were parked in front of the hotel when a taxi driver pulled over and asked what they were doing at the hotel.

''The taxi driver then picked his phone and called the Patriots, who came in ready to attack the UN patrol team. The patrol team had to fire several shots into the air to scare off some of the group members.

`` The patrol team had to leave the hotel afterwards as the Patriots went to mobilise for another attack ,'' said the eyewitness, who is a security man at the hotel.

The main entrance to the Pullman Hotel had to be closed by the Ivorian police as the Patriots returned in large numbers for another confrontation with the UN troops.

Security around the hotel was reinforced, while guests were only allowed in upon identification.

AN/Margaret/Yinka