SA is still calling for the Ivory Coast's Laurent Gbagbo to lay down arms and hand over power to democratically elected president Alassane Ouattara, according to International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.
“We call on all Ivorians to put the interests of civilians first. The African Union has called for an end to all hostilities,” Nkoana-Mashabane told journalists in Johannesburg on Monday.
“No Ivorians should be considering winning power by the gun,” the minister added.
Asked why Gbagbo's army chief, General Phillippe Mangou, who had sought asylum with his family in the South African embassy in Abidjan, had left on Sunday, the minister said: “I'm not in the Ivory Coast but I know he sought refuge in our embassy and there are conditions in asking for such refuge.
She confirmed that Mangou had chosen to leave.
“We don't know why as conditions were as they would be internationally.”
Gbagbo and Ouattara have been stuck in a fierce stand-off since the November 2010 elections, which the world said Ouattara won. Gbagbo so far has refused to cede power. - I-Net Bridge