I Coast rebels refuse SA help

2005-09-01 14:54

Abidjan - Ivory Coast's rebel New Forces (FN) on Wednesday said in a statement they refused to accept any future mediation by President Thabo Mbeki in the country's three-year conflict.

Mbeki, who was chosen by the African Union (AU) to help mediate the conflict which has divided the West African nation, has been accused by the rebels of being motivated by economic expansionism, giving biased rulings and reportedly selling arms to President Laurent Gbagbo's government.

Ivory Coast, once a haven of stability in West Africa, has been split in two since a failed coup against Gbagbo in September 2002, pitting rebels from the Muslim-dominated north against the Christian-populated south.

- AFP