20110117
xinhua

NAIROBI, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga left the country on Sunday for Nigeria from where he will travel on to Cote d'Ivoire for the second attempt to resolve the political crisis, which has engulfed the West African nation since the Nov. 28 election.

Odinga who is the African Union special envoy is expected to strengthen the chances of success of current efforts to resolve the crisis.

Speaking before his departure in Nairobi, the AU mediator reiterated the need for a peaceful resolution to the West African country's political crisis, but maintained that a military intervention might be used as a last resort if incumbent Laurent Gbagbo does not leave the presidential office peacefully.

He said he was hopeful that the negotiations will lead to a peaceful resolution of the stalemate. "The African Union and Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) is for a peaceful resolution of this crisis -- military option will be the last resort as it's likely to disrupt the economy and lead to loss of lives," he said.

"I appeal to all peace loving African countries to provide support in finding a solution to this crisis."

The AU mediator will be joined by Dr. Bizima Karaha, former foreign minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who will be key to the negotiations and provide translation services.

During his last trip, Odinga held talks with Gbagbo and promised him an international amnesty if he gave up power and acknowledged Alassane Ouattara as president.

Odinga left the country for Abuja, Nigeria, where he will hold talks with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who is also the chairman of ECOWAS on the situation in Cote d'Ivorie.

He said he will seek a peaceful settlement to the election crisis, put in measures to protect the human rights and dignity of civilians, look into the plight of displaced persons and seek an assurance of safety and security for Gbagbo and his supporters, if he agrees to cede power.

Last week, Odinga said if the Cote D'Ivoire issue is not resolved, African incumbents in the coming elections may try to cling to power in Gbagbo's way, a development he said would lead to a messy situation in Africa.

He supported sanctions as a way of bringing the protagonists to the negotiating table, but said sanctions alone have not worked to restore faith in democracy and the ballot in the countries where they have been applied.