To answer the question: Firstly, the election results are deemed inconclusive since both Mr Gbagbo and Mr Ouattara claim to have won the presidential elections on 28 November 2010. This indicates that, de facto, the outcome of the election is still inconclusive.
Secondly, given the fact that the outcome of the election has led to an impasse, South Africa made a proposal to the African Union summit held from 28 to 31 January 2011 in Addis Ababa that may lead to a political solution to the impasse. Thus, until the African Union, AU, has finally resolved the impasse, South Africa will not take sides on the matter.
Thirdly, President Zuma met with both Mr Gbagbo and Mr Ouattara in Abidjan on 20 February 2011 as part of the high-level panel established by the African Union on 28 January 2011. While the high-level panel has made progress, it has not concluded its work and consequently it met on 4 March 2011 to conclude its report on the work to date.
Fourthly, South Africa's contribution to the promotion of democracy and human rights in Africa and its principled stance in this regard is well recognised. President Zuma's involvement in the AU high-level panel established by the African Union attests to this. The panel's ultimate responsibility is to ensure a durable solution that will sustain a framework for the entrenchment of peace and respect for human rights. Thank you.