US slaps travel ban on Ivory Coast's Gbagbo, other officials

Tue, 21 Dec 2010

Washington - Ivory Coast leader Laurent Gbagbo and other members of his inner circle have been banned from traveling to the United States, the US State Department said Tuesday.

The United States announced the travel sanctions against Gbagbo, his immediate family and other officials over Gbagbo's refusal to relinquish power following defeat in November's elections.

"Gbagbo's efforts to remain in power, despite the expressed will of the Ivorian people for Alassane Ouattara to be president, threaten to compromise years of reconciliation and peace-building efforts on behalf of the Ivorian people," spokesman PJ Crowley said.

Crowley said the list of dozens of individuals included in the travel ban could be widened to other members of Gbagbo's government supporting him.

The international community has widely recognized Alassane Ouattara as the winner of the November 28 election. A defiant Gbagbo has unleashed security forces to crack down on opponents and protesters, and dozens of people are estimated to have died.

The European Union is expected to enact similar measures this week.