Abuja - Nigeria — The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has followed with grave concern the violent and speedy turn that the political crisis in Côte d'Ivoire has taken over the last 36 hours.

The Commission regrets that this turn of events is a direct consequence of the intransigence of the out-going President, Mr. Laurent Gbagbo, who has repeatedly refused to heed calls for him to cede the reins of power in the country to the President- Elect, Mr. Alassane Ouattara.

The ECOWAS Commission is particularly exercised by the high toll in human life and physical destruction that the escalating armed confrontation continues to inflict on the country, and the mounting refugee crisis it is creating in neighbouring Member States.

The Commission, therefore, calls on Mr. Laurent Gbagbo to end the suffering of his country and people at this time by ceding power immediately to Mr. Alassane Ouattara, the legitimate winner of the 28th November 2010 presidential election. It also calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities and requests the Ivorian leaders to ensure maximum protection of the civilian population, including ECOWAS citizens and other nationals, by forces under their control.

The Commission wishes to remind all concerned in the on-going violence that ECOWAS will not condone crimes against humanity nor spare those who trample the rights of the people underfoot. In that regard, the Commission must warn all parties of their individual, collective and control responsibilities for violations of international humanitarian, human rights and refugee laws.

The ECOWAS Commission takes this opportunity to appeal once again to all the parties to the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire to rise above partisan interests for the greater good of the Ivorian Nation and people.