President John Evans Atta Mills says the use of military force to oust incumbent Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, would rather escalate the crisis.
According to President Mills, Ghana is not taking sides on the Ivorian situation stating that the country only support the collective decision of ECOWAS since it is a member of the organization.
The international community has recognized Mr. Ouattara as the winner of November’s presidential election and urged Mr. Gbagbo to quit. West African regional grouping ECOWAS has threatened to force Mr. Gbagbo out through military intervention.
However, Interacting with Journalists from various media houses on Friday January 7 at the Castle, President Mills rejected the idea of a military intervention in neighboring Cote d’Ivoire. “I personally do not think the military option will solve the problem in Ivory Coast. Ghana is not taking sides and Ghana will support any government”
President Mills stated that Ghana is currently not in the position to send additional troops to Ivory Coast since most of the country’s troops are overstretched in various countries serving with the United Nations to forestall peace in those countries.
The President disclosed that currently, there are over 500 hundred Ghanaian troops with the UN who are protecting, Ivory Coast’s Alassane Ouattara.
A passionate, and occasionally charged humorous President Mills dispelled allegations that Ghana is covertly sending arms to neighboring Cote d’Ivoire to support incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo.
According to him, a civil war in that country would have negative impact on Ghana. He added that Ghana is much more concerned about protecting its territorial boundaries with Cote d’Ivoire.