20110130
xinhua

ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- African countries are having intense discussions on the situation in Cote d'Ivoire, hoping to reach consensus on how to deal with the country's political impasse before the upcoming African Union (AU) summit scheduled on Sunday.

The regional bloc of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has threatened the use of force to let Laurent Gbagbo, the incumbent president, to cede power to his rival, the internationally-backed Alassane Ouattara.

Earlier this week, Nigeria's Foreign Minister Odein Ajumogobia called for a UN Security Council resolution to back the use of force to oust Gbagbo.

Meanwhile, many believe that military action should be the last resort in dealing with the crisis.

AU Commission Chairperson Jean Ping told a press conference on Saturday that the use of force should be "the last thing, after you have exhausted all the other means."

His view was shared by AU mediator on Cote d'Ivoire's crisis, Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who said in a statement on Friday that the AU and ECOWAS "are committed to a peaceful resolution of the crisis," which is "the best way to lay the foundation for an inclusive and stable Ivorian nation after years of conflict."

However, he said "Africa must stand ready to deploy other measures if a settlement cannot be agreed through negotiations."