African Union Suspends Cote d'Ivoire

As of Thursday, the African Union (AU) suspended Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) from all AU activities.
African Union Suspends Cote d'Ivoire
12/9/2010
Updated:
12/9/2010
As of Thursday, the African Union (AU) suspended Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) from all AU activities until democratically elected President Alassane Ouattara is installed in power, according to a statement as reported by CNN.

The statement followed an earlier call by the AU on President Laurent Gbago to hand over power to Ouattara, which generated no results.

President Gbagbo does not acknowledge the official results of Nov. 28 runoff and proclaimed victory on the following Saturday. The results presented by Côte d’Ivoire’s Electoral Commission are acknowledged as valid by the international community.

“The Peace and Security Council did formally acknowledge that Mr. Alassane Outtara is the president elect of Côte d'Ivoire,” said AU Peace and Security Commissioner Ramtane Lamamra, according to Voice of America.

Wednesday the United Nations Security Council and several world leaders including the United States endorsed Ouattara’s victory as well. On Tuesday the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) already went ahead and suspended, according to CNN, Côte d’Ivoire from their decision-making bodies.