Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, former President of Ghana says a peaceful solution must be found to prevent the threat of a costly conflict in Cote d’Ivoire.

The former president says, “The consequences of a conflict situation in Cote d’Ivoire I am afraid will spread to neighbouring countries.

“Africa has suffered enough and I do not believe that we should be allowing ourselves to be misled into waging war against ourselves simply to satisfy some colonial or foreign interest.

“Without freedom and justice, free and fair elections, democracy will remain fragile and vulnerable on this continent.”

Speaking at a ceremony to mark the first anniversary of the Concerned Muslim Youth of Ghana in Accra on Saturday, ex-President Rawlings appealed to the parties in Cote d’Ivoire to give peace and a political avenue a chance.

The former President called on President Jacob Zuma of South Africa to go ahead with plans to send an evaluation team to Cote d’Ivoire to evaluate the claims by the rival parties.

“I sincerely believe that should the real truth be established by this evaluation team, all Ivorians and the rest of the world will accept the results,” ex-President Rawlings said.

Zuma recently sent an envoy to Nigeria and Ghana who called on President Mills as well as former President Rawlings.

President Goodluck Jonathan reportedly also offered to constitute an evaluation team while Ghana gave its support to these efforts.

The National Chief Imam, Sheik Nuhu Sharabutu prayed for a peaceful resolution of the crises in Cote d’Ivoire following a request by President Rawlings.

The ceremony which was held at the premises of the Kanda National Mosque Project was also used to launch an appeal for funds to help complete the project which was started in 1995 following the allocation of land by the then President Rawlings government.

Source: Former President Rawlings’ blog - jjrawlings.wordpress.com