Mbeki supports I Coast leader

2005-08-08 14:26

Abidjan - President Thabo Mbeki, who has been mediating the crisis in the divided West African state of Ivory Coast, on Sunday ruled that decrees issued by President Laurent Gbagbo, which have been bitterly contested by the rebels, were acceptable under a peace agreement.

The ruling, which came as the entire country was marking the 45th anniversary of Ivory Coast's independence from France, was announced by South African Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota, who made a lightning visit both to Abidjan, the country's biggest city and the seat of most institutions, and the northern town of Korhogo, which is part of the territory held by the rebels.

Lekota said electoral decrees issued by Gbagbo on July 15, which the rebels have denounced as giving an unfair advantage to the government side, were acceptable under the agreement which is supposed to lead to free and fair elections.

Shock, surprise at SA ruling

The New Forces (FN), which represents the mainly northern-based rebels, openly denounced the South African ruling, while the mainstream political opposition in Abidjan was clearly taken by surprise.

"Our reaction, like that of the opposition, is one of shock," said FN spokesperson Sidiki Konate, who asked that the South African decision be formally confirmed in writing.

The spokesperson for the opposition party coalition known as the Group of Seven could barely contain his disappointment, but said he would not react officially until Mbeki sent his written reply.

Separately, Gbagbo said on Saturday he believed the official election date of October 30, which comes at the end of his term, would be kept to, despite widespread scepticism as to whether the country will be ready. On Sunday, at independence day ceremonies, Gbagbo reiterated that view.

Dispute part of a bigger problem

The dispute over electoral procedures is only part of the problem, as the peace agreement signed in June, known as Pretoria II, also lays down deadlines and procedures for disarming and disengaging the armed groups that have been set up on both sides.

Those procedures, which are supposed to lead to disarmament both by the rebels and by militia groups that support the Gbagbo government, have already fallen behind schedule.

Ivory Coast, a major agricultural producer and the world's number-one exporter of cocoa, has been effectively cut in two since a revolt by army officers from the predominantly Muslim north in September 2002.

The crisis has seen the deployment of United Nations peacekeepers and also troops by France, the former colonial power.

- AFP