Ivory Coast opposition refuses to join new unity government, deepening political crisis

Ivory Coast opposition shuns new unity government

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast — Two Ivory Coast opposition leaders say they will not join a new proposed governing coalition, deepening the crisis sparked by President Laurent Gbagbo’s dissolution of the government earlier this month.

Two top opposition leaders refused late Sunday to join the government which is expected to be announced Monday. Mediator Blaise Compaore, Burkina Faso’s president, is expected Monday in Abidjan to negotiate with leaders.

The West African nation has been divided between a rebel-controlled north and a government-controlled south since 2002. The sides formed a unity government in 2007 and were preparing for presidential elections when Gbagbo dissolved the government on Feb. 12.

Presidential elections have been postponed every year since 2005, when Gbagbo’s term ended.