Ouattara, Mahama Discuss Fate Of Gbagbo Loyalist

Ghana�s President John Mahama has met his Ivorian counterpart Alassane Ouattara over the extradition of former spokesman to the ousted Laurent Gbagbo, Mr Justin Kone Katinan. Cote d�Ivoire�s national broadcaster gave no indication of the extradition matter but hinted it was subject to further discussions. Ouattara�s government has been demanding the extradition of Mr Katinan, who fled to Ghana after Gbagbo�s fall. The Ivorians also want other high-profile Gbagbo loyalists exiled to Ghana thrown out. President Mahama�s Wednesday visit to the neighbouring Cote d�Ivoire was his first official visit abroad since taking over from the late John Atta Mills last month. The Ghanaian leader also made a stop in Burkina Faso. Other countries on the President�s itinerary are Benin, Nigeria and Togo. On August 24, Mr Katinan was arrested in Accra but it was subsequently said he had been enjoying protected refugee status in line with international conventions. A Ghanaian high court hearing which was to be held over his arrest was adjourned to a later date. Mr Katinan served as budget minister in the period leading to Gbagbo�s ouster. His arrest was on the strength of an international warrant issued by the Ivorian government, which accuses the former spokesman and minister of economic crimes allegedly committed at the time he was in office.