Ecowas lauds Ivorian resolution
2010-03-01 08:08
Lagos - West African regional grouping Ecowas on Sunday lauded government and opposition parties in Ivory Coast for agreeing on a new government and electoral body to resolve the country's political crisis.
The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) "commends the Ivorian parties for the demonstrated spirit of compromise and consensus in agreeing to a new government and a new Independent Electoral Commission," said a statement.
It urged the parties to continue to show flexibility and understanding in resolving other outstanding issues such as the voters’ register and an agreement on a firm date for election.
The 15-nation regional body also commended President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso, the facilitator of the inter-Ivorian dialogue, for his prompt action to resolve the impasse in the cocoa-rich country.
Ivory Coast's opposition on Friday said it would join the country's new government.
The west African country has been in turmoil since President Laurent Gbagbo sacked the cabinet and electoral commission on February 12.
On Friday Prime Minister Guillaume Soro held the first meeting of his new cabinet, while a new opposition-led Independent Electoral Commission took charge of planning a presidential poll - the first since a failed 2002 coup - with the backing of Gbagbo's party.
- SAPA