ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast – The political crisis in Ivory Coast between Laurent Gbagbo, the former president, and Alassane Ouattara, the president-elect, continues as the international community becomes more actively involved. Representatives from the United Nations (UN), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU), and several western nations have been participating either directly or indirectly since the disputed November 28 election. Western governments and international organizations have offered strong support for Mr. Ouattara while at the same time denouncing Mr. Gbagbo’s attempt to retain the presidency.

 

Since the election results have been released there have been threats of violence from both sides. Furthermore, both parties have stipulated deadlines for the other to give up power or to leave the country, yet, all of these deadlines have passed without any action.

In response to growing tension, a delegation representing the regional governments of western Africa called ECOWAS will meet with Mr. Gbagbo on Monday, January 3 to try and persuade him to step aside and allow Mr. Ouattara to assume the presidency.  The ECOWAS representatives include the presidents of Benin, Cape Verde, and Sierra Leone. Additionally, the Africa Union, an organization representing nearly every government on the African continent will also be taking part in the negotiations. The AU will be represented by Kenya’s Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

As this crisis continues to drag on, ECOWAS and other international organizations are growing more impatient with Mr. Gbagbo’s behavior and the threat to use military force has grown louder. Recently, the British government has pledged to support military operations if Mr. Gbagbo does not cede power peacefully.  Others including ECOWAS have also mentioned the use of military action against Mr. Gbagbo.  The former president has responded to these threats by demanding all foreign troops including the UN peacekeepers leave Ivory Coast.

Mr. Gbabgo still holds considerable power in Ivory Coast because he controls the nation’s security force. Alternatively, Mr. Ouattara’s control is limited to the Golf Hotel which is surrounded by 800 UN peacekeepers. Since the elections, threats have been made by Mr. Gbagbo’s government to storm the hotel. Although there have been several clashes between the peacekeepers and citizens loyal to the former president, an organized effort to storm the hotel has not materialized.

AFP — I.Coast’s Gbagbo under renewed pressure after deadline – 2 January 2011

BBC Africa — UN to investigate Ivory Coast violation reports – 2 January 2011

Reuters — Ivory Coast’s Gbagbo resists African demands he step down — 2 January 2011

VOA News – West Africa Struggles to End Ivory Coast Crisis – 29 December 2010