Annan slams Ivory Coast leaders

2005-09-10 17:13

Paris - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has accused Ivory Coast leaders of destroying their country and warned of international sanctions if the warring sides do not make progress towards peace.

"I don't understand these Ivorian leaders, these men who believe they are capable of leading a country, who are seeking to become president of a country they are in the process of destroying," Annan said in an interview broadcast on Saturday on Radio France Internationale (RFI).

In excerpts of the interview broadcast on Thursday, Annan said it would be impossible to hold presidential elections in Ivory Coast as planned on October 30.

Annan said there was a "blockage" in the peace process to finally resolve the 2002 civil war which has left the west African country divided between New Forces rebels in north and President Laurent Gbagbo's government in the south.

"Each side is waiting for the other. They've signed several agreements. They have no problem signing them, but implementation is another story," said the UN secretary general.

Advocating sanctions against the country, Annan said "if that's what is needed to get them moving, then the Security Council should apply them".

"I proposed acting several months ago, but the mediator - South Africa - wanted to wait. I think they've now begun to realise we need to be much more firm. Something has to be done," he said.

The UN Security Council in July held off applying sanctions as provided for under a 2004 resolution, urging the two sides to fully implement peace accords under South African mediation.

Furious disputes over electoral rules and citizenship issues have delayed preparations for the election, with the latest attempt to begin disarmament failing last month.

- AFP