Ivory Coast conflict could spread

14 January 2011 - 18:34 By Sapa
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Sierra Leone Information Minister Ibrahim Ben Kargbo said instability in Ivory Coast could spread to surrounding countries, which thus had a stake in ensuring a peaceful end to the crisis.

Attempts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to mediate the Ivorian post-electoral crisis have so far failed and the regional bloc is now seeking assistance from members of the UN Security Council.

"The continuous state of instability in the Ivory Coast has the potential to spill over to neighbouring countries ... So it is in our interest as a sub-region to ensure a peaceful transition in the Ivory Coast," Kargbo told a weekly press briefing.

He noted Ivory Coast was also a member of the Mano River Union, which focuses on economic co-operation between member states and also includes Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

The troubled west African region which has been plagued by civil conflict has often suffered as unrest in neighbouring countries spills over borders.

Liberia is already bearing the burden, with the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reporting 600 refugees a day are crossing the border and there are now around 25,000 who have fled into the neighbouring country.

The UN announced on Thursday that 247 people had died in Ivory Coast since mid-December's election as Laurent Gbagbo refuses to stand down as president despite a vote which the Independent Electoral Commission, UN and most of the world said his rival Alassane Ouattara won.



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