Mills requests special prayers for Cote d'Ivoire

Accra, Dec. 16, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills has requested that between Friday, December 17 and Sunday December 19, all Muslims and Christians should say special prayers for Cote d'Ivoire where a disputed presidential election is threatening to tear the country apart. A statement signed by the Minister of Information, John Tia Akologu, said President Mills had no doubt that diplomacy and global efforts had a key role to play in the resolution of the Ivorian crisis.

"However, he is also of a strong conviction that there is a special role the Almighty (God) can play when we all call on him and ask for His divine intervention," it said.

President Mills indicated that the Ivorian crisis was of great concern to him, adding that considering the obvious implications for Ghana "we must all as religious people devote special prayers to back the human efforts of our leaders in finding a solution to the political stalemate". Incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo and opposition leader Alassane Ouattara, have both claimed victory in the November 28 presidential run-off election.

While the Independent Electoral Commission gave the election to Ouattara, the Constitutional Council reversed the decision and declared incumbent president Gbagbo.