Pressure Builds for Ivory Coast’s former President Gbagbo to Step Down
Posted: Monday, January 10, 2011
by Joel Hendon
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Several African nations have had their share of civil unrest, violence and downright civil war. And the Ivory Coast is no exception. For many years the Ivory Coast was a peaceable and prosperous nation, the leading world supplier of Cocoa beans. That is until 2002 when they became engaged in a harsh civil war that left the country divided both geographically and philosophically...and angry.
After the votes were fully tallied , the top election commission office announced that Mr. Alassane Ouattara, the challenger, had defeated the incumbent, Mr. Laurent Gbagbo by 9 percentage points. However, the next day, the head of the Constitution Council, a staunch supporter of Gbagbo, announced that they had thrown out totals from several northern points because of “flagrant irregularities” and thus announced Gbagbo as the winner.
Based on that unverified decision, Gbagbo refused to relinquish his office. Pressure from the United Nations, France, European Union and the United States have not swayed Gbagbo’s determination to keep his seat.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is a body of the West African nations who have come together to help each other and cooperate with each other, of which the Ivory Coast is a member, albeit not in good standing at present. Leaders from seven of the nations came together in December and unanimously requested Gbagbo to step down for the good of the country. Gbagbo refuses to relent. He still has control of the army, however, Ouattara also has some armed forced from the north who are loyal to him.
The deadly standoff between the rival presidents appears to be broadening. Armed forces associated with the Ouattara camp have clashed with Mr. Gbagbo’s forces on the streets of the nation’s economic capital, Abidjan, as well as in a town in the center of the country. Security forces loyal to President Gbagbo have opened fire on demonstrators. After men in military uniforms fired on a United Nations patrol on Dec. 18, President Gbagbo ordered United Nations and French peacekeepers to leave the country immediately. Analysts fear the departure of some 10,000 United Nations peacekeepers would increase the risk of a return of the civil war.(The New York Times: Ivory Coast News January 3, 2011)
Several African nations have had their share of civil unrest, violence and downright civil war. And the Ivory Coast is no exception. For many years the Ivory Coast was a peaceable and prosperous nation, the leading world supplier of Cocoa beans. That is until 2002 when they became engaged in a harsh civil war that left the country divided both geographically and philosophically...and angry.
United Nations and France peacekeepers were there and after having been postponed for five years due to the sharp division of the country with spells of violence, there was finally held a national election. The voting was close and two men had to participate in a final vote which was held in November 2010. Most observers came away convinced there had been a legitimate and fair election concluded.
After the votes were fully tallied , the top election commission office announced that Mr. Alassane Ouattara, the challenger, had defeated the incumbent, Mr. Laurent Gbagbo by 9 percentage points. However, the next day, the head of the Constitution Council, a staunch supporter of Gbagbo, announced that they had thrown out totals from several northern points because of “flagrant irregularities” and thus announced Gbagbo as the winner.
Based on that unverified decision, Gbagbo refused to relinquish his office. Pressure from the United Nations, France, European Union and the United States have not swayed Gbagbo’s determination to keep his seat.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is a body of the West African nations who have come together to help each other and cooperate with each other, of which the Ivory Coast is a member, albeit not in good standing at present. Leaders from seven of the nations came together in December and unanimously requested Gbagbo to step down for the good of the country. Gbagbo refuses to relent. He still has control of the army, however, Ouattara also has some armed forced from the north who are loyal to him.
The deadly standoff between the rival presidents appears to be broadening. Armed forces associated with the Ouattara camp have clashed with Mr. Gbagbo’s forces on the streets of the nation’s economic capital, Abidjan, as well as in a town in the center of the country. Security forces loyal to President Gbagbo have opened fire on demonstrators. After men in military uniforms fired on a United Nations patrol on Dec. 18, President Gbagbo ordered United Nations and French peacekeepers to leave the country immediately. Analysts fear the departure of some 10,000 United Nations peacekeepers would increase the risk of a return of the civil war.(The New York Times: Ivory Coast News January 3, 2011)
The United Nations has reported as of the beginning of the year, at least 173 people have been killed.
The duly elected challenger Mr. Alassane Ouattara, has formed a new and separate cabinet and is attempting to run the government from a hotel where they have barricaded themselves and are surrounded by United Nations and French troops.
Gbagbo, last week ordered the U.N. and France peacekeepers to leave the country, although they have not yet done so. The leaders of the ECOWAS, has now notified Gbagbo they will take action to forcibly remove him from his office if he does not do so voluntarily.
The situation is quite critical and could erupt into a virtual bloodbath unless someone concedes.
The United Nations has reported as of the beginning of the year, at least 173 people have been killed.
The duly elected challenger Mr. Alassane Ouattara, has formed a new and separate cabinet and is attempting to run the government from a hotel where they have barricaded themselves and are surrounded by United Nations and French troops.
Gbagbo, last week ordered the U.N. and France peacekeepers to leave the country, although they have not yet done so. The leaders of the ECOWAS, has not notified Gbagbo they will take action to forcibly remove him from his office if he does not do so voluntarily.
The situation is quite critical and could erupt into a virtual bloodbath unless someone concedes.
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