Yeah, it's still going on and yes, it has been relatively low-key for the past month. Really, I am not that surprised that it has been quiet for the past four-five weeks, nor that international pressure is mounting.
If you haven't been following this story, here is what you missed: an election, an overwhelming victory, and an incumbent who will stop at nothing to keep his power. Also tension, burning buildings, insurgent violence, and the loss of national cable television. Though it not a simply matter as cleverly outlined, the truth is two candidates claim control over this Western African country. If you want to catch up, check out the previous sections, one, two, three, four, five, and six.
Rebels and insurgents have been released on this country and now have taken control a town in the West, called, Zouan-Hounien. Now this is located in area that incumbent president, Gbagbo controls. The fighting is also surrounding a major hotspot for Gbagbo supporters, known as Abidjan. Now the Western nations support Quattara, who won the election, but are frustrated with condoning violence against Gbagbo. In fact this has caused a severing of support from South Africa, who now stated they will remain neutral during this conflict. Originally they were big supporters of Quattara, but now because of "taking control at all costs" mindset, have now decided stay out of the fighting.
Then yesterday, things got a tad worse for wear. Belarus has sent helicopters to Gbagbo, which has violated UN sanctions and their trade embargo; ironically, Belarus is a UN member. And now, 1,400 people have fled from the city, Abidjan to a surrounding Catholic mission as fighting has once again resumed. Rebel groups from the surrounding country of Liberia, have entered into the conflict on the side of president-elect, Quattara. This has created pressure of the African Union, which had a policy of nonintervention on the part of Liberia. And as of last night, UN experts were attacked by pro-Gbagbo forces. They were trying to investigate the breeching of the embargo and were fired upon.
Sadly, the phrase, "civil war," keep ringing in the ears of most skeptics and despite that the UN is trying to downplay it, it looks so inevitable. It truly seems as if Ivory Coast, has fallen into the same that trap that many African nations have lost their souls in. Elections seem to be the biggest chink in the armor of Africa as power and wealth seem to be the only things on anyone's mind.
So I would like to ask, how can Africa hope to learn from these mistakes? What must be down to put away these election conflicts and power-hungry demagogues?
:Update – March 3rd:
According to the BBC and a few other sources, at least six women have been shot and killed during a pro-Quattara march. The protests and clash have been occurring for over a week with the UN stating that around 200,000 people have fled the area. Civilians have been warned by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay that they stand to have great violence inflicted on them. It was also stated that the city of Abobo is the scene for the most violent clashes.
