Rebels Ready To Renounce Defence & Interior Cabinent -Owusu-Agyemang

The rebels of the Ivory Coast are ready to renounce to their claim over the Defence and Interior cabinets to end the impasse blocking the formation of a government of national unity in the African nation. This was the declaration made this morning by Ghana?s Foreign Minister Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, underlining that the delegates of the rebellion that September 19 rose against the government of President Laurent Gbagbo, ?accepted in the interest of peace and in exchange for a reasonable proposal?.

A long meeting was held yesterday in Accra (Ghana) between the anti-government delegates and representatives of 10 Ivorian parties, with the mediation of Ghana?s President John Kufuor, acting leader of the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States). A negotiation ?marathon?, as defined today by African newspapers, from which contrasting signals emerged. ?We reached a basic consensus to proceed?, explained Owusu-Agyemang. ?Unfortunately the document we presented to the sides encountered some difficulties and particularly the firm opposition of a group in particular?, he added without emphasising to which group he made reference.

But Ghana?s Minister also referred that the mediation efforts will continue also today. In opening the meeting, Ghana?s President called on all the sides to reach a compromise: ?if this does not happen you will be accused by history?, warned Kufuor.

The negotiations on the new government structure have been underway for over a month and were blocked by the delicate issue of consenting the rebels to head the two key cabinets. An eventuality that infuriated Ivorian government parties, the armed forces of the nation and a large part of the public opinion close to President Laurent Gbagbo, but that was apparently contained in the peace accords undersigned in Marcoussis (France)