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UN soldiers from Senegal stand guard in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Thibault Camus/AP/Press Association Images
Ivory Coast

Thabo Mbeki mediates Ivory Coast election crisis

The African Union steps in to prevent violence eruption after election results were reversed.

THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF South Africa Thabo Mbeki has travelled to the Ivory Coast on behalf of the African Union to help mediate a post-election crisis there.

Election officials overturned the initial result of the recent presidential elections, in favour of the incumbent, sparking fears that violence could erupt.

France24 reports that the rival candidates have been inaugurated, increasing confusion surrounding the election results.

On Thursay, the UN-backed electoral committee said provisional results showed Alassane Ouattara had received 54% of the vote. However, the following day, the country’s Constitutional Commission said incumbent Laurent Gbagbo had won.

All Africa reports that Ouattara swore himself into office after Gbagbo’s official swearing-in ceremony.

The African Union said yesterday it stood by the results indicated by the electoral commission, and said it would take steps against those attempting to undermine the results, Reuters Africa reports.

The UN, US and France have appealed to Gbagbo to step down.