This does not bode well; not least because Gbagbo now has an even firmer grip on the military and police forces than his dubious mentor, Kibaki, had on similar forces in Kenya. Moreover, if it persists, he seems quite prepared to order them to squash this unrest by any means necessary.(Africa’s democratic despots now includes Gbagbo of Ivory Coast, The iPINIONS Journal, December 15, 2010)
This was the ominous note I sounded four months ago when it became clear that it would take military force to get rid of Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo. Regrettably, I was right.
Recall that Gbagbo was just the latest African leader who refused to cede power after losing a free and fair presidential election in November to challenger Alassane Ouattara. More to the point, despite ultimatums from the UN, EU, AU, and former colonial power France for him to step down or face military action, Gbagbo did exactly as I predicted: he unleashed still loyal military forces to defend his illegitimate regime.
Unfortunately, this has led to a simmering civil war in Ivory Coast – with UN and French forces aiding those loyal to Ouattara in a military campaign to oust Gbagbo. Reports are that over 500 have been killed and one million displaced.
Meanwhile, Gbagbo is proving every bit as uncanny as Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi in his ability to survive against overwhelming odds. Moreover, his forces are proving equal to Gaddafi’s in fending off a formidable coalition of opposition and international forces.
On the other hand, Ouattara claims that his opposition forces now control most of the country and are surrounding the presidential palace where Gbagbo and his family are reportedly hunkered down in an underground bunker.
Whatever the case, I think it’s only a matter of time before Gbagbo’s forces tire of defending him and the bombs begin landing too close for comfort. Besides, he must know that French forces are far more willing to assassinate him than U.S. forces are to assassinate Gaddafi.
Meanwhile, Gbagbo is proving every bit as uncanny as Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi in his ability to survive against overwhelming odds. Moreover, his forces are proving equal to Gaddafi’s in fending off a formidable coalition of opposition and international forces.
On the other hand, Ouattara claims that his opposition forces now control most of the country and are surrounding the presidential palace where Gbagbo and his family are reportedly hunkered down in an underground bunker.
Whatever the case, I think it’s only a matter of time before Gbagbo’s forces tire of defending him and the bombs begin landing too close for comfort. Besides, he must know that French forces are far more willing to assassinate him than U.S. forces are to assassinate Gaddafi.Reporters saw the helicopters take off from the French military base followed minutes later by explosions coming from the direction of [Gbagbo’s] residence. Successive waves of French helicopters took off from the base in the following hours and additional bombardments could be heard.(London Guardian, April 11, 2011)
Frankly, Gbagbo only has two options: he could surrender and be hauled directly to The Hague to face charges for crimes against humanity; or he could escape to a friendly country like Angola. If he chooses the latter, however, he would do well to remember that fellow despot Charles Taylor of Liberia still ended up in The Hague after escaping to what he thought was the friendly country of Nigeria. Related commentaries:
Africa’s democratic despots…