African mediators, Benin President Boni Yayi (right), Sierra Leone President Ernest Koroma (third from right), Cape Verde President Pedro Pires (second from right), representing the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), and Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga (left) representing the African Union, leave after a meeting with embattled Ivorian leader Laurent Gbagbo yesterday at the presidential palace in Abijian, Ivory Coast. African envoys charged with finding an end to Ivory Coast’s presidential stand-off held “useful” talks with Mr Gbagbo before going to meet his internationally recognised rival Alassane Ouattara.