Abuja - South Africa's decision to deploy a navy vessel to Ivory Coast is complicating efforts to bring a peaceful resolution to the country's post-election crisis, the West African regional bloc Ecowas said on Tuesday.

The comments add to rifts between African nations over how to resolve the election crisis where two rivals claimed the presidency after November 28 polls, with incumbent Laurent Gbagbo defying world pressure to hand over to Alassane Ouattara.

Ecowas has sent delegations to negotiate a release of power by Gbagbo and has threatened to remove him by force; but some African leaders are opposed to the group's warning.

South Africa has not directly endorsed Ouattara as president and could be a potential weak point in regional efforts to force Gbagbo to stand down.

"As we talk now there is a South African warship docked in Cote d'Ivoire. Now actions such as that can only complicate the matter further," the president of the Ecowas commission, James Victor Gbeho, said in Nigeria's capital Abuja.

Routine training cruise


The defence ministry said a naval ship had been deployed to West Africa as part of a training exercise, although it is ready for any "instruction and assistance" required by its foreign ministry.

"The department of defence confirms that the SA Naval ship, the SAS Drakensberg has been on a periodical routine training cruise along the West Coast of Africa since early January 2011 to train junior naval officers," a statement said.

The African Union met at the end of last month, agreeing to form a panel of heads of state to solve the leadership crisis and come up with a legally binding settlement within a month.

Gbeho said he was disappointed with the outcome of the African Union summit where some members looked to "unravel" some of what the West African group had achieved.

"The concern that some of us have is that apparently because of certain geopolitical interests, some countries are keen on awarding a failure mark to Ecowas at this stage so that they themselves would shine," Gbeho said.

Solidarity

Gbeho added that international solidarity against Lauren Gbagbo had waned.

"We find that others are encouraging Gbagbo not to yield , ," he told told journalists.

"The solidarity that started among us in the international community is fast being eroded."


- Reuters
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Ecowas-miffed-at-SA-warship-in-Ivory-Coast-20110208

No surprise there! South Africa has been set against the rest of Africa since the end of apartheid. No, Mandele's era was actually different - it started with Mbeki. From refusing to cooperate with the rest of Africa on the issue of Morocco and Western Sahara to congratulating Yar'Adua when materials meant for our elections were at a printer's office in Johannesburg, their foreign policy has been driven by, how did John Atta Mills put it? "Mind your own business!" It seems the new rulers of the country don't care if the rest of Africa burns as long as there is "peace" and South African companies are allowed to trade and bread and butter is repatriated. The role they are playing now is the same role played by the likes of Mobotu and Banda during the apartheid era. It's quite sad when you consider the history of the country.

Googler:

No surprise there! South Africa has been set against the rest of Africa since the end of apartheid. No, Mandele's era was actually different - it started with Mbeki. From refusing to cooperate with the rest of Africa on the issue of Morocco and Western Sahara to congratulating Yar'Adua when materials meant for our elections were at a printer's office in Johannesburg, their foreign policy has been driven by, how did John Atta Mills put it? "Mind your own business!" It seems the new rulers of the country don't care if the rest of Africa burns as long as there is "peace" and South African companies are allowed to trade and bread and butter is repatriated. The role they are playing now is the same role played by the likes of Mobotu and Banda during the apartheid era. It's quite sad when you consider the history of the country.

Why should they play big brother when the rest of Africa is not on equal political, economic or social grounds as they are. They influence their regional bloc and the rest of Africa might as well be irrelevant to them.

Thats on our various countries to wake the azz up and see that black people can run an efficient and sustainable system within the Afrian context. instead jealousy dey worry people

Not a good strategy.

Googler:

No surprise there! South Africa has been set against the rest of Africa since the end of apartheid. No, Mandele's era was actually different - it started with Mbeki. From refusing to cooperate with the rest of Africa on the issue of Morocco and Western Sahara to congratulating Yar'Adua when materials meant for our elections were at a printer's office in Johannesburg, their foreign policy has been driven by, how did John Atta Mills put it? "Mind your own business!" It seems the new rulers of the country don't care if the rest of Africa burns as long as there is "peace" and South African companies are allowed to trade and bread and butter is repatriated. The role they are playing now is the same role played by the likes of Mobotu and Banda during the apartheid era. It's quite sad when you consider the history of the country.

Not the whole of Africa countries are harlot to the west. And the South African ship is just a supply ship in its Navy and it is there to take out south African citizens if crazy Ecowas try their invasion. But trust ECOWAS leaders to engage in fearmongering.

superboi:

Not the whole of Africa countries are harlot to the west. And the South African ship is just a supply ship in its Navy and it is there to take out south African citizens if crazy Ecowas try their invasion. But trust ECOWAS leaders to engage in fearmongering.

They need ship to evacuate their citizenry? Please!!

morpheus24:

They need ship to evacuate their citizenry? Please!!

The ship is eqiuped with two orxy helicopters . I read about the dispatch about two weeks ago ON SOME DEFENCE FORUM I go to and a guy who had worked on the ship said his mate said they were going on stand by duties. I wonder why Ecowas talking like it's a big deal or does Ecowas think everybody is as short sighted as them?

I am just wondering what SA navy would do if the ECOWAS decides to hard on Gbabo militarly. Remember, SA has tgaken a nuetral stance in the whole saga. But ppl know that SA doesnt want Gbabo out, there is intense intelligence that Outtara is a front for the US, France, and Britain. SA, as the most influential country will never allow that to happen. Remember also, that SA is the only African country that can go against all the big powers in any fora unapologetictly so.

jba203:

I am just wondering what SA navy would do if the ECOWAS decides to hard on Gbabo militarly. Remember, SA has tgaken a nuetral stance in the whole saga. But ppl know that SA doesnt want Gbabo out, there is intense intelligence that Outtara is a front for the US, France, and Britain. SA, as the most influential country will never allow that to happen. Remember also, that SA is the only African country that can go against all the big powers in any fora unapologetictly so.

That is such a dumb opinion. Libya, Nigeria, Egypt, Angola, Ethiopia to count a few can stand their ground anyday. the south africans are just eager to gain recognition on the world stage. They have seen Nigeria striding all over the continent as "Giant of Africa" and they want a piece of that pie (if not the whole cake). Its all about power and not about protecting africa.

They want to be THE AFRICAN POWER but always come up against the population question. Its hard to push aside a country 3 times your size, growing and less HIV-ridden (even though your citizens and president are taking showers to cure that).

Lets see whether they will interrupt if ECOMOG 2.0 is called into action

kodewrita:

That is such a dumb opinion. Libya, Nigeria, Egypt, Angola, Ethiopia to count a few can stand their ground anyday. the south africans are just eager to gain recognition on the world stage. They have seen Nigeria striding all over the continent as "Giant of Africa" and they want a piece of that pie (if not the whole cake). Its all about power and not about protecting africa.

They want to be THE AFRICAN POWER but always come up against the population question. Its hard to push aside a country 3 times your size, growing and less HIV-ridden (even though your citizens and president are taking showers to cure that).

Lets see whether they will interrupt if ECOMOG 2.0 is called into action

What are you on about? what does HIV got to do with a navy vessel in the atlantic? This topic has got nothing to do with your prejudice and your hatred for South Africa.
Just for the record,South African couple where kidnapped by Pirates in the atlantic and the pirates are demanding 10 million dollars ransom,I am not saying the navy is searching for them but we could be patrolling the sea,we are one of the few African countries that have the capacity to patrol our seas,our navy is one of the most equipt in the continent.

The only reason South Africa is taking a neutral stance in the Ivory Coast is because Thabo Mbeki was the chief mediator before the election,South Africa beliefs in non violence solution.

Our defence minister have released the statement explaining why the ship is in those water.
http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13506:drakensberg-complicates-crisis-ecowas&catid=56:diplomacy-a-peace&Itemid=111

Get you facts right before you shows us your ignorance.

jba203:

I am just wondering what SA navy would do if the ECOWAS decides to hard on Gbabo militarly.

Absolutely nothing.

SA navy deploys two ships
Erika Gibson, Beeld

Pretoria - The defence force, in conjunction with the government, has deployed two of the navy's ships in international waters over the past few weeks, amid growing political tension in West Africa and piracy in the Mozambique Channel.

These missions came after the defence force and the government were criticised over the past few months for having the ability to use new ships to assist in international matters, but preferring to keep them anchored in local harbours.

The SAS Drakensberg, the navy's warship, was deployed to West Africa about two weeks ago to provide support and especially help out should the political violence in the Ivory Coast necessitate the evacuation of the South African embassy in the country.

According to a recent article by Helmoed-Römer Heitman in Jane's Defence Weekly, the Drakensberg will stay in the area for a few weeks.

The ship is scheduled to return to South Africa at the end of February. The Drakensberg has two Oryx helicopters and probably also a contingent of the navy's rapid response forces and other specialist soldiers on board.

It appeared the ship was deployed out of fear of military intervention by the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) in the Ivory Coast.

At the same time, one of the navy's new frigates, the SAS Mendi, headed for Durban a week ago in anticipation of the signing of an agreement aimed at protecting Mozambique against piracy.

- Beeld

Source: SA Navy deploys two ships - News24.com

morpheus24:

Why should they play big brother when the rest of Africa is not on equal political, economic or social grounds as they are. They influence their regional bloc and the rest of Africa might as well be irrelevant to them.

Thats on our various countries to wake the azz up and see that black people can run an efficient and sustainable system within the Afrian context. instead jealousy dey worry people

Not a good strategy.

I agree with the bit about waking up and running an efficient system - our present state is too bad to continue. But I can't seem to get the point in anything else you wrote. The rest of Africa can be irrelevant to them, fair enough, but should they then keep sabotaging the rest of Africa just for a mess of porridge?

superboi:

Not the whole of Africa countries are harlot to the west. And the South African ship is just a supply ship in its Navy and it is there to take out south African citizens if crazy Ecowas try their invasion. But trust ECOWAS leaders to engage in fearmongering. 

How does going to Addis to sabotage the progress already made on Ivory Coast amount to a repudiation of harlotry? Even if as you have been arguing the correct position is that Quatarra should forget about his mandate and let Gbagbo rule forever, the point you are missing is that RSA is not acting in Ivory Coast's interest but its own. This is a pattern that has run through their foreign policy since Mandela stepped down. Read up on their shenanigans on Morocco and other places. They are doing exactly what Regan and Thatcher did with UN sanctions and Mobutu and the others did with African resolutions during apartheid.

Googler:

I agree with the bit about waking up and running an efficient system - our present state is too bad to continue. But I can't seem to get the point in anything else you wrote. The rest of Africa can be irrelevant to them, fair enough, but should they then keep sabotaging the rest of Africa just for a mess of porridge?
How does going to Addis to sabotage the progress already made on Ivory Coast amount to a repudiation of harlotry? Even if as you have been arguing the correct position is that Quatarra should forget about his mandate and let Gbagbo rule forever, the point you are missing is that RSA is not acting in Ivory Coast's interest but its own. This is a pattern that has run through their foreign policy since Mandela stepped down. Read up on their shenanigans on Morocco and other places. They are doing exactly what Regan and Thatcher did with UN sanctions and Mobutu and the others did with African resolutions during apartheid.

Googler I guessed you haven't followed my position on this issue. I believe even Nigeria should follow our own selfish national interest, which would be what weaken french influence in West Africa would afford us. But our leaders are not strategic thinker and are a hopeless bunch. Do you know the positive effect that dropping of the CFA franc by Cote D'ivorie would have on Nigerian Economy if we were to organise or selves? If Cote D'ivore breaks that ancestral cord with france more CFA zone countries would follow and if Nigeria Business Positions well we would rip from this. I would give you an instance(make e be like say na talk I dey Talk),
From the about the 70s to the year 2000 or there about they was a unified national airline for all French west africa( Air Afrique), this airline was as inefficient as our nigeria airways but almost all the money and later its equipment and profit was french, therefore most of the passengers it carried from its about 11-12 member countries were paying money to the french. This airline got liquidated at about the same time with our Nigeria Airways, however without proper government backing or plans our Nigeria private airlines are now performing strongly on this routes are make their main profits on this routes by providing services that was vacated by the defuct air afrique. Imaging the effect of losing a business of about 250 million people would have on the french central bank? why do you think they need Quattara there badly(I don't blame them fighting for him, but my problem is us (Naija) fighting for ourselves).

Googler:

I agree with the bit about waking up and running an efficient system - our present state is too bad to continue. But I can't seem to get the point in anything else you wrote. The rest of Africa can be irrelevant to them, fair enough, but should they then keep sabotaging the rest of Africa just for a mess of porridge?
How does going to Addis to sabotage the progress already made on Ivory Coast amount to a repudiation of harlotry? Even if as you have been arguing the correct position is that Quatarra should forget about his mandate and let Gbagbo rule forever, the point you are missing is that RSA is not acting in Ivory Coast's interest but its own. This is a pattern that has run through their foreign policy since Mandela stepped down. Read up on their shenanigans on Morocco and other places. They are doing exactly what Regan and Thatcher did with UN sanctions and Mobutu and the others did with African resolutions during apartheid.

Googler you write like you are not conversant with this Quattara guy who is now claiming to be Mr Democracy. Let me not paint the picture for you try read about him and his antecedence from various medium and draw up your own conclusion, all Gbagbo said is that let them be a more neutral Umpire to recount the vote. No why Ban Ki moon and co would be fair in a case involving a former collegue. When they set up the elctoral panel in 2005/6 Mr Mbeki told them the election wouldn't work with it composed like that and it would probably end in dispute. Guess Mbeki is also a prophet or the UN "big-wigs" wanted it to be this way knowing we would all say remove another african sit tight leader!!!

superboi:


Googler I guessed you haven't followed my position on this issue. I believe even Nigeria should follow our own selfish national interest, which would be what weaken french influence in West Africa would afford us. But our leaders are not strategic thinker and are a hopeless bunch. Do you know the positive effect that dropping of the CFA franc by Cote D'ivorie would have on Nigerian Economy if we were to organise or selves? If Cote D'ivore breaks that ancestral cord with france more CFA zone countries would follow and if Nigeria Business Positions well we would rip from this. I would give you an instance(make e be like say na talk I dey Talk),
From the about the 70s to the year 2000 or there about they was a unified national airline for all French west africa( Air Afrique), this airline was as inefficient as our nigeria airways but almost all the money and later its equipment and profit was french, therefore most of the passengers it carried from its about 11-12 member countries were paying money to the french. This airline got liquidated at about the same time with our Nigeria Airways, however without proper government backing or plans our Nigeria private airlines are now performing strongly on this routes are make their main profits on this routes by providing services that was vacated by the defuct air afrique. Imaging the effect of losing a business of about 250 million people would have on the french central bank? why do you think they need Quattara there badly(I don't blame them fighting for him, but my problem is us (Naija) fighting for ourselves).

Brilliant analysis! I love it. What I don't agree with, what is not borne out by any facts, is the claim that Quatarra = pro-French, Gbagbo = pro-Ivory Coast. All the French needed to do was throw in a little support for Gbagbo and he would sell CIV to them, as Gbagbo and his camp would do anything for power. All the anti-French talk from his camp is mere rhetoric. There could well be economic considerations in Ivory Coast, but the basic issue is that an election was held and there were winners and losers. A constitutional council then rejected the results, then nullified a portion of it, modified it, and then declared its own winner - nothing French or Nigerian about that, just pure wuru-wuru. All that France and the much vilified West are doing is pitch their tent with the winner in the belief that would secure their national interests, fair enough.

superboi:

Googler you write like you are not conversant with this Quattara guy who is now claiming to be Mr Democracy. Let me not paint the picture for you try read about him and his antecedence from various medium and draw up your own conclusion, all Gbagbo said is that let them be a more neutral Umpire to recount the vote. No why Ban Ki moon and co would be fair in a case involving a former collegue. When they set up the elctoral panel in 2005/6 Mr Mbeki told them the election wouldn't work with it composed like that and it would probably end in dispute. Guess Mbeki is also a prophet or the UN "big-wigs" wanted it to be this way knowing we would all say remove another african sit tight leader!!!

Whatever problems Quatarra may have are to his profile as a person and Gbagbo has far more issues. Ivorians voted for Quatarra and that should be respected. Gbagbo never asked for a recount in the beginning - he simply had his council declare himself the winner. Are you saying that at the time  his council was doing that the UN should have been asking for a recount? No. It simply stuck with the winner and that is what it continues to do, even now that Mr Gbagbo is stalling for more time by asking for a recount. Mr Ban is playing by the rules.

Googler:

All that France and the much vilified West are doing is pitch their tent with the winner in the belief that would secure their national interests, fair enough.
Whatever problems Quatarra may have are to his profile as a person and Gbagbo has far more issues. Ivorians voted for Quatarra and that should be respected. Gbagbo never asked for a recount in the beginning - he simply had his council declare himself the winner. Are you saying that at the time his council was doing that the UN should have been asking for a recount? No. It simply stuck with the winner and that is what it continues to do, even now that Mr Gbagbo is stalling for more time by asking for a recount. Mr Ban is playing by the rules.

Googler, while I don't like dueling or living in the realms of conspiracy, it does happen and that seems to be the case in this one. Go check Quattara history with the French and Gbagbo history with the west. Clearly if I where the west I would choose to back Quattara in a 50/50 case which this election seem to be now( note that Gbagbo won the first round).
When the plans of this elections were being laid out by the UN regional "powers" like Nigeria should have complained like Mbeki(then president of RSA did!!). How do you plan an election between a rebel half of a coountry and the other half in government with the main heads as contenders? who would accept the result? How do you conduct an election when rebels are still armed in a country(If they win do you think the army would hand over to dissents?). How do you plan an election when one party have an overwhelming majority(Quattara party) in the electoral commission and the other party the Majority in the constitutional council(Gbagbo, has powers of Nigerian Supreme court in election matters)?. Only Mbeki asked Questions then and rightly so but the UN in my opinion continue to be incompetent as they always are when they intervene in country soveringty. Googler If you are president would you hand over to rebels who won in areas they control with overwhelming number?. If I post some docs I have seen on other forums i would be tagged a spammer.

superboi:

Googler, while I don't like dueling or living in the realms of conspiracy, it does happen and that seems to be the case in this one. Go check Quattara history with the French and Gbagbo history with the west. Clearly if I where the west I would choose to back Quattara in a 50/50 case which this election seem to be now( note that Gbagbo won the first round).
When the plans of this elections were being laid out by the UN regional "powers" like Nigeria should have complained like Mbeki(then president of RSA did!!). How do you plan an election between a rebel half of a coountry and the other half in government with the main heads as contenders? who would accept the result? How do you conduct an election when rebels are still armed in a country(If they win do you think the army would hand over to dissents?). How do you plan an election when one party have an overwhelming majority(Quattara party) in the electoral commission and the other party the Majority in the constitutional council(Gbagbo, has powers of Nigerian Supreme court in election matters)?. Only Mbeki asked Questions then and rightly so but the UN in my opinion continue to be incompetent as they always are when they intervene in country soveringty. Googler If you are president would you hand over to rebels who won in areas they control with overwhelming number?. If I post some docs I have seen on other forums i would be tagged a spammer.

All that should have been thrashed out BEFORE the elections, my friend. What you are saying is that there were imperfections in the system which are now haunting it - I would say which Gbagbo is now taking advantage of. You see, the world is ruled by chaos - we thrive in spite of it. In a war situation, it's much worse. Gbagbo had delayed those elections for 10 years and had brought CIV to a situation where the "powers" just wanted the elections, any elections, to go on, just as they accepted Gbagbo in 2000 just as long as as Guei, who had become the symbol of the problem, was gone. If I agree to go into an election I would abide by the rules and hand over to the WINNER, rebels or no rebels. The issue is not about handing over to rebels - are you saying Mrs Perry should not have handed over to Charles Taylor? Or that Frelimo should have rigged and cancelled results if Renamo had won in Mozambique? When did being a rebel take away anyone's citizenship? I observe it is convenient for Gbagbo supporters to try to present Quatarra as a rebel even though it was Gbagbo that has created the conditions that have led him to become joined at the hips with the rebels whom he was never affiliated with from the beginning.

Googler:

All that should have been thrashed out BEFORE the elections, my friend. What you are saying is that there were imperfections in the system which are now haunting it - I would say which Gbagbo is now taking advantage of. You see, the world is ruled by chaos - we thrive in spite of it. In a war situation, it's much worse. Gbagbo had delayed those elections for 10 years and had brought CIV to a situation where the "powers" just wanted the elections, any elections, to go on, just as they accepted Gbagbo in 2000 just as long as as Guei, who had become the symbol of the problem, was gone. If I agree to go into an election I would abide by the rules and hand over to the WINNER, rebels or no rebels. The issue is not about handing over to rebels - are you saying Mrs Perry should not have handed over to Charles Taylor? Or that Frelimo should have rigged and cancelled results if Renamo had won in Mozambique? When did being a rebel take away anyone's citizenship? I observe it is convenient for Gbagbo supporters to try to present Quatarra as a rebel even though it was Gbagbo that has created the conditions that have led him to become joined at the hips with the rebels whom he was never affiliated with from the beginning.

My Guy are you for the military intervention? that I'd assure would just bring more chaos, because even If we assume that the Election result is correct, it means that 45% of the country supports Mr Gbagbo faction and do you think that they would sit down and allow "Northerners" like Quattara and his brother across the border Campore run their affairs just like that without a fight?(after all they also rejected their Gbagbo). My view is that if the UN was serious about allowing peace in that country they should have insisted Gbagbo (66/7 yrs, sitting president) and Quattara(68/9 ex-prime minister/acting president) act as elder state men and not run. But the greed of the west(note am not saying their the only greedy ones, me sef dey greedy,lol) wanting the resources(soon to be tapped and allocated oil and gas field) wanted them to impose their trusted man(I guess you have access records of Quattara contract and sale of public property during his short time as acting president).

superboi:

My Guy are you for the military intervention? that I'd assure would just bring more chaos, because even If we assume that the Election result is correct, it means that 45% of the country supports Mr Gbagbo faction and do you think that they would sit down and allow "Northerners" like Quattara and his brother across the border Campore run their affairs just like that without a fight?(after all they also rejected their Gbagbo). My view is that if the UN was serious about allowing peace in that country they should have insisted Gbagbo (66/7 yrs, sitting president) and Quattara(68/9 ex-prime minister/acting president) act as elder state men and not run. But the greed of the west(note am not saying their the only greedy ones, me sef dey greedy,lol) wanting the resources(soon to be tapped and allocated oil and gas field) wanted them to impose their trusted man(I guess you have access records of Quattara contract and sale of public property during his short time as acting president).   

Hiya! How war take enter this matter naa, superbrother? I was enjoying the discussion till now. Ok, to answer you: I think a surgical military intervention to remove Gbagbo from power would be a great idea, but I am not in support of this planned military intervention because we cannot predict how such a venture would end; it will be too risky. And that, unfortunately, is what Gbagbo and those like South Africa, who don’t care what be as long as their companies are allowed to do business, are banking on. Sounds ambivalent? Well I admit I am on this matter of military intervention in Ivory Coast.

I don’t share your views on age and leadership. Even if I did, it would still not be the UN’s place to butt into a country and dictate to candidates to step down and become elder statesmen. Imagine the UN trying, till cocks grow teeth, to convince Gbagbo and Quatarra to step down for reason that they are 60ish, so that Guillaime Soro and Charles Ble Goude can a go at it since they are younger! And failing to convince the two old warhorses, insisting that that is what must happen.

But I note, from that post, that you share this view that Quatarra is Burkinabe. I see. With a mindset like "we will not allow these Burkinabes and their Campaore to run our affairs without a fight", I think that country has a long way to go. Crass racism, sir, is the underlying problem in Ivory Coast. Forget all this talk about UN this, rebels that, France this, recount that. That country has a long way to go. So does Africa as long as we keep this mindset.

Googler:

. . .
But I note, from that post, that you share this view that Quatarra is Burkinabe. I see. With a mindset like "we will not allow these Burkinabes and their Campaore to run our affairs without a fight", I think that country has a long way to go. Crass racism, sir, is the underlying problem in Ivory Coast. Forget all this talk about UN this, rebels that, France this, recount that. That country has a long way to go. So does Africa as long as we keep this mindset.

Word! Ivory Coast is a disgrace to the Black World for instituting racism in the form of apartheid against the North. It is a policy that primitive political leaders from the South signed into law as "Ivority" (how Ivorian you are); its sole purpose is to knock out Northern politicians and the majority Northern population as non-Ivorians. . . In their own country!

As for the French / Western hoopla, its all part of Gbagbo's do-or-die tactics; strange tactics for a man who found France a safe and friendly enough place for his 6 years in exile.
Just to sink the above in even further, here's an almost gay picture of him holding hands with Dominique de Villepin, then Prime Minister of the "enemy" called France!