The High Level African Union Panel for the Resolution of the Crisis in Côte d'Ivoire concluded its third meeting in Nouakchott, Mauritania.

The panel, in a communiqué, expressed shock at what they termed a tragic evolution of the situation in Côte d'Ivoire.

The five presidents – Mohamed Ould Abdul Aziz of Mauritania, Jacob Zuma of South Africa, Idriss Deby of Chad, Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso and Tanzania's President Jakaya Kikwete – called for an end to the escalation of confrontation in the West African country.

The Panel reiterated the AU's urgent appeal to the Ivorian parties to show utmost restraint, and refrain from acts and steps likely to undermine the ongoing efforts to end the crisis.

They appealed to the media to stop campaigns that incite hatred and violence.

The panel also called for an immediate end to killings and abuses that led to the loss of human lives, as well as demonstrations, marches and other activities likely to degenerate into disturbances and violence.

It urged the parties to cease all forms of hostilities, and to lift the blockade of the Golf Hotel, where Alassane Ouattara has been holed up since the November 28 last year run-off election.

The panel was established pursuant to the communiqué of the 259th meeting of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union held in Addis Ababa, on 28 January this year.

– BuaNews-NNN