Obama hails ‘decisive turn of events’ in Cote d’Ivoire
April 12th, 2011 - 8:34 am ICT by IANS
Washington, April 12 (IANS) US President Barack Obama has welcomed the “decisive turn of events” in Cote d’Ivoire, as former president Laurent Gbagbo was detained Monday following a four-months long power struggle in the west African country.
“The United States welcomes the decisive turn of events in Cote d’Ivoire, as former president Laurent Gbagbo’s illegitimate claim to power has finally come to an end,” Xinhua Tuesday quoted Obama as saying in a statement.
He described Gbagbo’s detention as “a victory for the democratic will of the Ivorian people, who have suffered for far too long through the instability that followed their election.”
For Gbagbo’s rival Alassane Ouattara, who is widely recognised as the winner in the Nov. 28 presidential runoff, Obama said: “For President Ouattara and the people of Cote d’Ivoire, the hard work of reconciliation and rebuilding must begin now.”
“President Ouattara will need to govern on behalf of all the people of Cote d’Ivoire, including those who did not vote for him. ”
Gbagbo and his wife were detained Monday in a French-led military assault at his residence in the commercial capital Abidjan, with witnessed a military offensive launched in late March by forces loyal to Ouattara to force Gbagbo out.
Obama also called for all militia groups in Cote d’Ivoire to lay down their weapons, and said that “the victims and survivors of violence deserve accountability for the violence and crimes that have been committed against them”.
- Obama welcomes end of Gbagbo's 'illegitimate claim to power' in Ivory Coast - Apr 12, 2011
- Legal proceedings against Gbagbo in Cote d'Ivoire - Apr 12, 2011
- Heavy firing heard near Ivory Coast president's house - Apr 06, 2011
- Pro-president forces launch offensive in Cote d'Ivoire - Mar 13, 2011
- Mass graves found in Cote d'Ivoire - May 10, 2011
- 66 Indians evacuated from Cote d'Ivoire - Apr 13, 2011
- Toll in Ivorian post-election violence tops 1,000: UN - May 28, 2011
- Fair trial for human rights violations in Cote d'Ivoire: UN - Apr 13, 2011
- Former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo under house arrest - Apr 13, 2011
- UN, French helicopters attack Gbagbo's residence - Apr 11, 2011
- India evacuates 44 more from Abidjan - Apr 18, 2011
- U.S. imposes financial sanctions on former Côte D'Ivoire leader - Jan 07, 2011
- Ivory Coast's leader Gbagbo arrested (Lead) - Apr 12, 2011
- Indian ambassador evacuated in Ivory Coast - Apr 08, 2011
- India supports UN sanctions against Cote d'Ivoire - Mar 31, 2011
Tags: abidjan, accountability, alassane ouattara, barack obama, cote d ivoire, crimes, former president, four months, laurent gbagbo, military assault, militia groups, power struggle, president laurent gbagbo, presidential runoff, reconciliation, survivors, victory, violence, weapons, xinhua