20101210
Nation

Abuja — The United States has threatened to impose travel bans and other sanctions against Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo, his family and associates if he fails to hand-over power to newly elected Alassane Ouattara.

The Peace & Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) has also announced the suspension of Cote d'Ivoire from the organization and said it has recognized Ouatarra as the rightful winner of the November 28 elections.

The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson speaking with reporters across Africa said era of bad elections should be done with on the continent.

According to a statement made available to THISDAY by the US mission in Abuja yesterday, Carson added that there is substantial evidence that Ouattara won the elections and has already been recognized by the international community.

"It is the determination of the U.S. government to do everything we can to ensure that the votes of all Ivoirians are counted and respected and that the legitimately elected president of Côte d'Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, is allowed to take office as reflected by the votes" he said.

"We will consider travel bans on him and his family and his immediate entourage. We will consider economic sanctions against him and his immediate entourage. "We think that the era of stealing African elections is over. This should be an example for all of Africa that this can no longer be tolerated. Theft of elections should not be a part of the democratic process."

The PSC of African Union rising from its 252nd meeting in Addis Ababa on Thursday said it has decided to suspend Cote d'Ivoire from all its activities until Ouatarra assumes state power.

In a copy of the final communiqué made available to THISDAY yesterday from the AU headquarters in Ethiopia, the PSC urged Gbagbo to respect the results of the elections and handover to Ouatarra in the interest of the country, the region and the continent.

"...Council reaffirms its determination to take, if necessary, other measures against those who undermine the popular will as expressed on 28 November and duly certified by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General , incite violence and commit violations of human rights" the communiqué read.