Nigeria Urges UN’s Intervention In Cote D’Ivoire

Nigeria Urges UN’s Intervention In Cote D’Ivoire

The Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan has called on ECOWAS member states to pass a resolution requesting the UN to take a more serious step on Ivorian situation.

President Jonathan said this on Wednesday in his opening speech at the 39th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government holding in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

He called on member states not to underestimate the political situation in Cote D’Ivoire and the threat it posed to the peace and security of the entire region.

Attending the summit are 12 of the 15 ECOWAS heads of state.

Settling the standoff

Jonathan said he hoped the standoff in the former French colony could be solved without the use of force but urged the world body to take firmer steps.

"I believe we can pass a resolution to request the United Nations to take a little more serious steps in the Cote d'Ivoire situation.

"We must not make the mistake of underestimating the threat it poses to the peace and security of the entire sub-region," he said.

Jonathan charged member nations on the need to entrench peace, security and stability as a measure to attract requisite domestic and foreign investments for economic development.

The President, who will hand over the leadership of the economic bloc at the end of the Summit on Thursday, also assured the Summit of the commitment of Nigeria to the attainment of goals of the Community and effective economic integration in the region.

He did not spell out what stronger action he wanted the world body to take.

Nigeria is the linchpin of ECOWAS, which has threatened the use of force to push Gbagbo from power after he rejected UN certified results that showed Ouattara won the election.

Around 400 Ivorians have died and hundreds of thousands have fled their homes since the disputed poll.

 NAN/Williams