West African Leaders Push Ivory Coast's Gbagbo to Leave

France gives military OK to take out his heavy weapons

(NEWSER) - The United Nations and France continued their crackdown in Ivory Coast today, with a UN helicopter firing on Laurent Gbagbo's forces and Nicolas Sarkozy giving his troops the OK to take out the entrenched strongman's heavy weapons, reports the AP . The UN said it acted to stop Gbagbo troops from firing on the Akouedo camp, with Ban Ki-moon citing "a heavy toll on the civilian population." More»

(NEWSER) - Former Liberian President Charles Taylor defended displaying human skulls along roadways in his country to scare people into obeying soldiers' orders, reports the Times of London. “Skulls were used as symbols of death,” he told the judges at his trial at the Hague. “Enemy soldiers had been killed and their skulls were used. We did not think that symbol was anything wrong." More»

Odinga is Mugabe's most vocal critic at African Union summit

(NEWSER) - Kenya’s prime minister blasted Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe today, saying it would set a dangerous precedent for the African Union to accept him as "a duly elected president," the BBC reports. "They should suspend him and send peace forces to Zimbabwe to ensure free and fair elections," Raila Odinga said at the AU summit. More»

He begins trip, backs power-sharing deal for Kenya

(NEWSER) - President Bush is keeping things positive on his five-country African tour, focusing attention on “success stories.” But at the same time, he says, his efforts are addressing conflicts ravaging the continent. “When you herald success, it helps others realize what is possible,” he said during a stopover in Benin. And though he won’t visit the troubled Kenya, Condoleezza Rice will on Monday, the AP reports. More»

Immediate issues could be resolved within 15 days, Annan says

(NEWSER) - Kenya's rival leaders have agreed on an outline for peace talks, Kofi Annan said today. Larger problems could take a year to iron out, but the ex-UN chief said the most pressing issues--ending the killings, aiding those hit by the turmoil, and fixing "immediate" political woes--could be solved within the next 7 to 15 days, Reuters reports. More»