Hand over power to Quattarra in Cote d’Ivoire: Obama

Washington, March 10, 2011



Appalled by indiscriminate killing of unarmed civilians during peaceful rallies, U.S. President Barack Obama has asked former Cote d'Ivoire President Laurent Gbagbo to peacefully hand over power to the president-elect Alassane Quattara.



"The people of Cote d'Ivoire have extraordinary talent and potential, and they deserve leadership that is responsive to their hopes and aspirations. It's time for former President Gbagbo to heed the will of his people and to complete a peaceful transition of power to President Ouattara," he said.



People of Cote d'Ivoire elected Alassane Ouattara as their President and Laurent Gbagbo lost the election.



"Former President Gbagbo's efforts to hold on to power at the expense of his own country are an assault on the universal rights of his people, and the democracy that the Cote d'Ivoire deserves," the U.S. President said.



The people of Cote d'Ivoire have extraordinary talent and potential, and they deserve leadership that is responsive to their hopes and aspirations, Mr. Obama said.



Strongly condemning the abhorrent violence against unarmed civilians in that country, Mr. Obama said he was particularly appalled by the indiscriminate killing of unarmed civilians during peaceful rallies, many of them women, including those who were gunned down as they marched in support of the legitimately elected President Alassane Ouattara.



"Reports indicate that the women were shot to death by security forces loyal to former President Laurent Gbagbo. On March 8 -- the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day -- we saw pictures of women peacefully rallying with signs that said 'Don't shoot us' -- a strong testament to the bravery of women exercising their right of peaceful assembly," he said.



The US, he said, remains deeply concerned about escalating violence, including the deepening humanitarian and economic crisis and its impact in Cote d'Ivoire and neighbouring countries.



"All armed parties in Cote d'Ivoire must make every effort to protect civilians from being targeted, harmed, or killed," he said, adding U.S. reiterates its commitment to work with the international community to ensure that perpetrators of such atrocities be identified and held individually accountable for their actions.


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