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December 15, 2010

Ivory Coast Opposition Calls for Mass Protests in Election Dispute
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Tensions are rising in the Ivory Coast over a disputed election between
incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo and opposition leader Alassane
Ouattara. Gbagbo is refusing to recognize election results from last
month showing Ouattara won the race. Ouattara’s party has called on
supporters to stage mass protests against Gbagbo this week. An Ivory
Coast citizen said his country is in crisis.

Samuel Dougo: ’’This situation is very sad, especially for our country,
which for 10 years has been plunged into a crisis situation. We thought,
with these elections, we would leave the crisis behind, but
unfortunately it seems to me that we have gone deeper into it—with this
two-headed government. The two candidates from the last round (of
voting) have proclaimed themselves president, and this is really
difficult for the rest of us."

The Ivory Coast military has backed Gbagbo’s attempt to remain in
office. The African Union has suspended Ivory Coast’s membership in
protest of Gbagbo, and the U.S. has threatened to impose sanctions.



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