Solidarity with the people of Ivory Coast as crisis continues

As the crisis continues in Ivory Coast, church leaders are reiterating Pope Benedict’s call to initiate dialogue and avoid further bloodshed in the West African nation.

In a statement released today Cardinal Josip Bozanić, Archbishop of Zagreb and Vice-President of the Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe prayed that there would be and end to hostilities.

He also said the thoughts of the Bishops’ were with civilians caught up in the fighting.

Meanwhile,

Ivory Coast presidential claimant Alassane Ouattara has called for an end to sanctions and sought to return the war-torn country to normal.

In a televised address U.N.-backed Ouattara promised to restore security and utilities, meet basic needs and pay salaries after five months of conflict.

Incumbent Laurent Gbagbo who says he will not cede power, has been blockaded in the presidential residence in Abidjan and is said to have fewer than one thousand troops still loyal to him.

The struggle may have only just began I’m afraid even though the war is hopefully drawing to a close”, says Tom Cargill, Assistant Head of the Africa Programme at UK based institute for international affairs, Chatham House.

He told Lydia O’Kane that Ouattara needs to restart the damaged economy and provide basic services to those who have been hard hit by the fighting. Listen to full interview here