When I surmised that it was only a matter of time before Gbagbo was ousted, I had in mind days. But reports are that, just hours after publishing my commentary this morning, French Special Forces (with Ouattara forces in tow) stormed his residence and took him into custody.
To avoid Ouattara looking like a stooge of former colonial masters, the French are downplaying their role – insisting that they only played a supporting role and allowing opposition forces to take Gbagbo and his wife to be held at the hotel in Abidjan where Ouattara set up his headquarters after the election.
Talks are now underway to decide what to do with him; i.e. whether Ouattara forces will hold him in custody for trial by local courts or whether they will dispense with local justice and just hand him over to The Hague. Ouattara would be wise to opt for the latter.