Though i think the rebels are the bad guys here and need to go, I find itinteresting that they would ask for Nigeria over south africa to mediate problems

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/1f554b7ce1bc7b18d410ff3e754eb561.htm

COTE D IVOIRE: Rebels reject South Africa as mediators

The rebels have also accused South African President Thabo Mbeki of
prioritising the expansion of South African industry in Cote d'Ivoire --
the world's top cocoa grower which was once the economic pride of West
Africa -- instead of concentrating on their assigned job of working for
peace.

He also criticised Mbeki for turning a blind eye to the Ivorian
government's "flagrant abuse" of a UN Security Council arms embargo and
appealed to Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, the current head of the
African Union, to intervene.

"We demand that the African Union, and especially AU president Olusegun
Obasanjo, take his responsibility and find a new way," said Konate.

Damn them.

It seems that they are calling for President Obasanjo's support as the head of the AU, not to Nigeria as a country.

then why the call for obasanjo "especially"

by the way it says "We demand that the African Union, and especially AU president" not "We demand that the AU president"

the President is the head of the african union so he definitely has more responsiblilities than the rest of the AU. if he doesn't want to be called on, he shouldn't have agreed to become their president.

@seun, they really don't have to mention Nigeria because the president represents nigeria...so if they say they call on obasanjo's help, they're indirectly saying nigeria's help.

Baba will not miss this golden opportunity. You know that his acolytes already call him OBJ of africa. i believe he fancies himself in the mould of the great Mandela. However, it does appears that his brusque manner of doing things is actually effective on the continent.

I just pray we will not have to commit troops in the event that the conflict escalates, thereby once again condemning our youths to die in a war they know nothing about and has nothing to do with them.

after all of this the ivorians will later abuse nigerians and call us thieves

that is just it they are all ingrates

The rebels understand that we are more in tune with the continent than the South Africans. Most other Africans know this they just won't admit it unless they are in trouble...

Later they will say they want South Africa or Egypt to get the seat...

Nigeria uber alle!

again?