Ivory Coast: The Fall of the stubborn Laurent Gbagbo.

[nngu007]

Fri Mar 25, 2011



France has submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations to ban heavy weapons in the Ivory Coast capital amid a violent post-election standoff in the top cocoa producer, President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Friday.
"France has submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations. It is a scandal that heavy weapons are being fired in Abidjan. At a minimum there should be no heavy weapons in Abidjan," Sarkozy told a news conference after a meeting of European leaders in Brussels.

 

[Akwaba]

It is very simple many African leaders want to take different approaches in Ivory Coast than are being proposed by the West. The only countries that spoke loudly were Angola and South Africa. Note their high GDP per capita. They don't beg as much as the rest of us. I think now they are all re-thinking how they can come to a peaceful resolution when the French position is basically use Force, the but we want Africa to do it, so it doesn't look like we did it. We are better of telling the Ivorians in no uncertain terms this is your problem fix it.

Sometimes, I think it would be faster to lift the embargo's on the rebels and the government forces and tell them we are out of this. They will then have to choose. Some will want the Abyss. There will be some nasty fighting and they will quickly realize they have one choice dialogue.

 

[Nonda]

BBC News - Hardtalk - African Union 'ignored' over Libya crisis

 

[Baba Sangara]

BBC - Andrew Harding on Africa: Will the world prevent Ivory Coast war?
someni wazee

 

[Askari Kanzu]

Athari za udini zinajitokeza Ivory Coast!

Muslims face growing attacks in Ivory Coast crisis

Associated Press, Abidjan, Ivory Coast | Sat, 03/26/2011 8:47 AM

Souleymane Sissouma became the third imam slain this month in an attack so brutal his family members went into hiding, too afraid even to attend his funeral. As dozens of mourners gathered at a mosque, the twisted wreckage of a burned car lay outside - another sign of the growing campaign of violence against Muslims who widely support Alassane Ouattara, the internationally recognized winner of November's presidential election.

Ouattara, who is Muslim, is locked in a battle with the entrenched president Laurent Gbagbo for power, and their conflict is veering dangerously toward sectarian violence. At least 10 mosques across Abidjan have been set ablaze, and another was abandoned after attackers threw a grenade through a window during prayers.

"Us Muslims, we're not safe. We are the object of every kind of violence. We're afraid. We don't know how this is going to end," said Imam Idriss Koudouss, president of the National Islamic Council. "And we aren't even involved in politics." Ouattara supporters also have been beaten to death with bricks, even doused with gasoline and burned alive. Cell phone videos of the horrors are traded on the street and broadcast on state television along with calls to arms.

"It's the political manipulation of ethnicity," said Corinne Dufka, a senior researcher with Human Rights Watch. "The root of the conflict is competition for political power and the fault lines are drawn along religious, ethnic and national lines."

Full story:

 

[Askari Kanzu]

Obama backs opposition leader Ouattara as Ivory Coast's president

26.03.2011 09:59

President Barack Obama late Friday confirmed the United States' recognition of opposition leader Alassane Ouattara as the rightful leader of the Ivory Coast after disputed elections last year, calling on President Laurent Gbagbo to step down, dpa reported.

"Last year's election was free and fair and President Alassane Ouattara is the democratically elected leader of the nation," Obama said in a video message posted to the White House blog.

He said the country was at a "crossroads" with Gbagbo being forced to choose between ongoing violence and following the will of the people.

France and Nigeria submitted on Friday a draft resolution to the UN Security Council demanding the resignation of Gbagbo and UN sanctions targeted at him and his closest advisers.

Ivory Coast was plunged into turmoil when Gbagbo refused to cede power to his rival Ouattara after November elections the UN and other international observers say the president lost.

"You have a proud past from gaining your independence to overcoming civil war, now you have the opportunity to realize your future," Obama said in addressing the people of the African nation. "You deserve a future of hope not fear, you deserve leaders like President Ouattara, who can restore your country's rightful place in the world."

Obama had congratulated Ouattara shortly after the vote on his victory and the US has placed a travel on Gbagbo and his associates.

Source:

 

[Askari Kanzu]

Ouattara rejects African Union envoy in Ivory Coast political standoff

By the CNN Wire Staff
March 27, 2011 -- Updated 1225 GMT (2025 HKT)

Ivory Coast's internationally recognised leader Alassane Ouattara (right) and PM Guillaume Soro are pictured together in January.

Abidjan, Ivory Coast (CNN) -- The internationally recognized president of Ivory Coast said he rejects the latest African Union envoy selected to help resolve the nation's tense political standoff. The African Union on Saturday chose the ex-foreign minister of Cape Verde to help implement proposed solutions to the stalemate, which began when incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo refused to step down after November elections.

Election officials and the international community consider Alassane Ouattara the rightful winner of the vote. The choice of Jose Brito was a surprise, Ouattara said in a statement, "given his (Brito's) personal and his political connections" with the disputed president. Ouattara said he was not consulted before the decision was made on Saturday.

"Furthermore, this decision does not conform to the wishes expressed to appoint a former head of state for this function," he said. "Consequently, the Presidency of the Republic of Ivory Coast rejects Jose Brito as high representative of the A.U."

Source:

 

[kilimasera]

Wahenga walitufundisha ‘tembea uone.’ Na kweli hivi karibuni nilitembea na nimejionea. Nchini Ivory Coast kuna mengi ya kujionea, kubwa kuliko yote ni kushuhudia Rais aking’ang’ania madaraka huku akichochea wananchi wake wachinjane wenyewe kwa wenyewe ili abakie madarakani.
Hawa hawachinjani mbali sana, ni kwenye viunga vya mji mashuhuri kuliko yote, Abidjan. Rais Laurent Gbagbo amegoma kuachia madaraka licha ya kushindwa kwenye uchaguzi mkuu uliofanyika mwaka jana na Tume ya Uchaguzi kumtangaza mpinzani wake, Alassane Ouattara kuwa mshindi.
Taifa hilo sasa limegawanyika katika pande mbili zinazohasimiana, kaskazini ambako unashikiliwa na Ouattara na Gbagbo upande wa kusini.
Ukitembea katika viunga vya jiji la Abidjan kuna kitu cha dhahiri kabisa kwamba taifa hilo limekwisha kusambaratika, kila unachokiona kinaashiria kuwa uchumi wa nchi hiyo umesimama si jana au juzi, huenda ni hali ambayo imedumu kwa miaka mingi sasa.
Hapana shaka kwamba tangu kuingia madarakani kwa Gbagbo mwanzoni mwa miaka ya 2000 utawala wake haujapata kuwa wa maana yoyote, ni kwa hali hiyo hata pale uchaguzi mkuu wa mwaka jana ulipofanyika Gbagbo alikuwa akionekana dhahiri kwamba kusalia kwake madarakani kungekuwa ni kwa miujiza tu.
Tangu kifo cha Rais wa kwanza wa Ivory Coast, Felix Houphouet-Boigny, kiongozi anayetajwa kuwa nyuma ya mafanikio ambayo yalifikiwa na taifa hilo, taifa hilo limetumbukia katika tabu na kusaga meno, kisa wanasiasa na wanajeshi kung’ang’ania madaraka bila kujali maisha ya watu wao.
Marais waliomfuata Houphouet-Boigny kama Rais Konah Bedia, hakudumu madarakani kwa muda mrefu kwani jeshi lilipindua utawala wake na taifa hilo kuongozwa na Robert Gaye. Kama vile mwosha huoshwa, Gaye hakusalia madarakani kwa muda mrefu kwani jaribio lake la kukataa Gbagbo kuunda serikali baada ya kuitisha uchaguzi wa kiraia mwaka 2000, lilisababisha naye si tu kutimuliwa madarakani, bali kuuawa na wanajeshi waliokuwa wanamuunga mkono, Gbagbo.
Alichofanyiwa Gbagbo na Gaye ndicho hicho anajaribu kufanya dhidi ya Ouattara, kukataa kuheshimu nguvu ya sanduku la kura.
Gbagbo ana historia yake, si rais ambaye anatajwa kufurahia utawala wake, kwa kuwa amekuwa ni mtu wa sekeseke nyingi, zote zikitishia utawala wake tangu mwaka 2002 hadi unafanyika uchaguzi wa mwaka jana, Gbagbo amekuwa rais wa sekeseke.
Hata hivyo, kama Gbagbo angekuwa amefanya kitu chochote cha maana kwa taifa lake angeliweza kuwa na jambo la kushikamana nalo na kwa hakika angeweza kutetea kiti chake katika uchaguzi mkuu wa mwaka jana. Kwa bahati mbaya, hali nchini humo ni mbaya; vijana wengi hawana kazi, shughuli za kiuchumi zimesimama na kwa hakika kinachoendelea Ivory Coast kwa sasa hakina tofauti sana na kinachotokea Somalia.
Ni vigumu kusadiki kwamba baada ya tukio la kimbari la Rwanda la mwaka 1994, bado wapo viongozi wa Afrika wanaotamani kusalia madarakani kwa kuchochea umwagaji damu ya watu wake ili udongo ulowanishwe kwa damu kwa ajili ya yeye kusalia madarakani. Kiu ya damu ya kumweka madarakani kiongozi ili aongeze hao damu yao inayomwagwa!

MAKUNDI YA VIJANA YAJIPA UHURU
Ukiingia Abidjan kama ni mgeni, zipo hoteli ambazo zimehakikishiwa usalama, katikati ya jiji, ni marufuku kutoka na kwenda pembezoni mwa mji, kwa kuwa usalama wake ni wa hatari kubwa. Makundi ya vijana wakiwa wamejihami kwa silaha za asili, mapanga, rungu, minyororo na mikanda, wameweka vizuizi kwenye viunga vya jiji hilo.
Wanapekua magari, pikipiki na kuamua nani apite au azuiwe. Katika kuendesha shughuli hiyo, ambayo ni sawa na kujitangazia uhuru wa kufanya kile watakacho bila kuulizwa na polisi, vijana hawa wamekuwa wanapokea fedha kutoka kwa wapitao njia. Wanadai kuwa ni fedha kwa ajili ya maji na chakula, lakini kimsingi kinachoendelea ni kielelezo cha serikali iliyoshindwa kutawala (failed state!).
Ukitazama majengo ya Abidjan unapata picha moja tu, yote ni machafu na yamechakaa, ni kama kwa miaka mingi hakuna kazi yoyote ya ukarabati hata wa kupata rangi tu imefanyika, yamechakaa kwa maana halisi ya neno kuchakaa. Hata ukichunguza kwa makini utagundua kuwa barabara nazo ni vivyo hivyo, hakuna shughuli kubwa yoyote ya kiuchumi inayoendelea.
Hoteli nyingi kubwa zimebakia mahame, usiku ni kimya kikubwa. Hakuna maisha; huwezi kutoka kwenda viwanja kujirusha; wenye maduka yao wanayafungua kwa machale mno, ni kama kuviziana hivi, hali hii inatokana na kuzidi kwa vitendo vya uporaji maduka na ngawira. Hali haieleweki.

MIILI ILIYOKATWAKATWA YATAPAKAA
Tukiwa hotelini mwenyeji wetu mmoja ambaye tulijenga mazoea naye alitueleza hali ilivyokuwa mbaya kwenye viunga vya Abidjan, lakini Jumamosi Machi 5, mwaka huu wakati wa chakula cha mchana, sikuamini nilichokuwa nakiona kwenye televisheni wakati wa taarifa ya habari ya saa saba mchana. Kumbukumbu zangu zilinirejeshea hali ilivyokuwa mwaka 1994 wakati wa mauaji ya kimbari ya Rwanda.
Miili ya watoto, wanawake na wanaume pia, ikiwa imekatwakatwa kwa vitu vyenye ncha kali, ilikuwa ikionyeshwa dhahiri shahiri kwenye televisheni. Majeraha mengi yalionekana yakiwa mapya sana. Wapo waliokuwa wamechomwa kwa moto, ikidaiwa ni kupunguza harufu ya uozo. Hakika hata chakuka hakiliki ukitazama picha hzo, ni hali ya kuogofya mno.
Maiti hizo zikiwa zimerundikwa, huku zikionekana picha za vijana wenye mapanga na silaha za jadi wakishangilia kama vile wanakijiji waliofanikiwa kumuua simba mla watu kijijini kwao; bila hisia zozote za ubinadamu wanakaa mbele ya maiti huku wakipigwa picha, wanaendelea kuonyesha ishara za mafanikio kwa rundo la maiti zilizoko mbele yao. Hii ni zaidi ya unyama.
Haya yalikuwa yanatokea wakati jopo la marais watano wa Umoja wa Afrika walioteuliwa kusuluhisha mgogoro wa Ivory Coast wakiwa nchini Mauritania kujadili hali ilivyo, yaani Gbagbo anachochea uasi mbaya bila hata kujali kwamba wapo Waafrika wenzake wanaionea huruma nchi yake, yeye hana awazacho zaidi ya kuwa rais kwa gharama yoyote.
Ingawa ilikuwa vigumu kwenda mbali zaidi nje ya katikati ya jiji la Abidjan, tulitembelea maeneo ambayo ndiko wanakaa wakubwa ikiwa pia ni karibu na nyumbani kwa Gbagbo, kila kitu kinaashiria hofu, vizuizi ni vingi sana barabarani, lakini walioviweka ukiwatazama ni makundi ya vijana, hapana shaka hawa watakuwa ni wafuasi wa kiongozi huyo.
Wote wanaonyesha kuwa wako tayari kupambana ili kiongozi wao abakie madarakani. Wamekaa mkao wa kumwaga damu. Ni hali ngumu ambayo haifai kabisa kuelezwa kwa maneno matupu.
Pamoja na vijana hao kujitoa mhanga kwa kiasi hicho, sura zao zinaakisi njaa, kiu na uchovu wa maisha magumu, hawana matumaini, na leo yao ndiyo inajitafuta yenyewe, ni maisha ya kubaingaza tu ili leo itimie, hakuna matumani yoyote kwenye sura zao.

VISHOKA UWANJA WA NDEGE
Pamoja na kuwa na taarifa kabla ya kuondoka Dar es Salaam kwamba hali haikuwa nzuri sana Abidjan, mara tu baada ya kuwasili uwanja wa ndege wa kimataifa wa Felix Houphouet-Boigny, nilianza kujenga hisia za kutokuwako kwa serikali makini nchini humo.
Hali hii ilitokana na kushuhudia makundi ya vijana wapiga debe wakiwa ndani ya uwanja wa ndege eneo ambalo wasafiri hupitia kizuizi cha maofisa wa uhamiaji. Unaweza kudhani kwamba vijana hawa ni sehemu ya ama watumishi wa uhamiaji au maofisa usalama au watumishi wa uwanja wa ndege, lakini ukweli ni kwamba hawa ni vishoka, wanajitia kutaka kuwasaidia wageni wanaowasili, nia yao ikiwa ni kuwachomoa abiria chochote.
Maofisa wa uhamiaji wanawaangalia na kwa ukweli wanajuana kwa kila kinachoendelea, hata unapotoka kuvuka vizuizi vya polisi, nao wanawaona dhahiri vishoka wale wanafanya nini, lakini hakuna wa kuwazuia.
Ni kama kuna utawala wa aina fulani pale uwanja wa ndege unaoruhusu watu ambao si maofisa wa uwanja, si uhamiaji, wala wanausalama au wasafiri, kuvuka vizuizi vya kiusalama kwa matumizi ya uwanja wa ndege.
Wakati haya yote yakitokea katika jiji la Abidjan, Gbagbo anaonekana kukaidi kuwasikiliza viongozi wa Umoja wa Afrika walioteuliwa kutafuta suluhu ya kugombea madaraka, wakati huo damu ya watu wake ikizidi kububujika ili tu aendelee kusalia madarakani. Naam kiu ya damu kwa ajili ya madaraka!
Taarifa za awali zilikuwa zimeeleza kuwa viongozi wa Afrika wakiwa ni marais kutoka Tanzania, Afrika Kusini, Chad, Burkina Faso na Mauritania, walipokuwa wamakutana mjini Nouakchott mapema mwezi huu na baada ya mkutano wao wangeelekea Abidjan kwa mazungumzo na viongozi hao wawili wanaohasimiana, lakini mkutano wa Ivory Coast uliahirishwa na baada ya siku chache ulifanyika Addis Ababa. Kama ilivyokuwa imebashiriwa, Gbagbo hakuhudhuria ingawa mpinzani wake, Ouattara alihudhuria.
Ingawa bara la Afrika lilifurahi kwa kuondoka kwa wakoloni kwa baadhi ya nchi zaidi ya miaka 50 iliyopita, ukweli ni kwamba madhara ambayo yamefanywa na viongozi Waafrika dhidi ya Waafrika wenzao ni makubwa.
Kwa hakika damu ambayo viongozi wa Afrika wamemwaga wakigombea madaraka ni nyingi kuliko iliyomwagwa na wakoloni.
Gbagbo ni mfano halisi wa kiu ya damu ya watu wake ili imsaidie kusalia mdarakani, ameonyesha kiburi na jeuri si kwa watu wake tu, bali hata kwa viongozi wenzake wa ukanda wa Afrika Magharibi, Bara la Afrika na kuutukana Umoja wa Afrika. Amepuuza hata Umoja wa Mataifa, lakini cha kushangaza bado wapo wanaowaza kuwa kuna sababu ya kuendelea kumbembeleza kiongozi huyu ambaye damu inayomlilia nchini mwake haimuumizi kichwa.
Kitendo cha Gbagbo kukataa kwenda Addis Ababa kuonana na jopo la wasuluhishi, wakati nchi yake ikielea kwenye dimbwi la damu, ni kielelezo cha kupuuza na kudharau juhudi za AU na viongozi wa Afrika kuhusu taifa lake. Ni matusi na kejeli za wazi.
Ni katika msingi hii, Gbagbo si tu anakosa sifa za kuwa kiongozi, ila anajithibitisha kwa vitendo halisi kwamba yeye ndiye tatizo la Ivory Coast. Si uchochezi kuuliza ni kwa nini basi majeshi ya Afrika Magharibi yakishirikiana na AU hawajapelekwa kumwondoa Gbagbo kwa nguvu madarakani?
Gbagbo hana anachoweza kuonyesha kama mafanikio ya utawala wake Ivory Coast, kumbukumbu pekee ambayo inashikilia utawala wa kiongozi huyu ni vita na umwagaji damu wa wana wa bara hili, ni kiongozi ambaye ameigawa Ivory Coast katika makundi mawili yanayohasimiana kwa nguvu zote. Kama kuna viongozi wanaoliaibisha bara la Afrika Gbagbo hawezi kukosekana kwenye orodha hiyo.

 

[Kiranga]

Mi naona zaidi ya Gbagbo kuna tatizo katika hii concept nzima ya imported democracy ya "winner takes all", ambayo inataka mtu atakayepata 51% kuwa rais na mwingine anayepata 49% kuwa hana kitu. Hili halisaidii, kwa sababu hata mtu akipata 40% anaweza kujisikia karibu nusu ya nchi ina m support, na akajiona ana haki ya kuwa rais. Kungekuwa na mfumo wa kuwapa kazi hawa wapinzani wanaopata angalau 40% kusingekuwa na haja ya kuiba kura sana. Ukimwambia mtu anayepata 40%, acha ulalamishi for the sake of national unity, kaa hapo uwe Waziri Mkuu tuendeshe nchi inaweza kuonekana una kiss up, lakini utakuwa unaepusha shari na kuhakikisha wale 40% wanawakilishwa ipasavyo.

Hilo moja. Halafu la pili watu wanapenda kubugia habari za western media. Gbagbo is certainly a monster, he betrayed the spirit of change that he had so much promise for , right from his university days. But that does not mean Ouattara is the saint he is potrayed to be. The western media loves to potray these stories in a "saint versus devil" light. Ouattara used to be Felix Houphoet-Boigny's Prime Minister for god's sake. He was there when Boigny was selling out his neighbors to the French, he was a collaborator. After quitting as Ivorian PM after the Boigny death he went to work for the IMF for gods sake.

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

Mi naona zaidi ya Gbagbo kuna tatizo katika hii concept nzima ya imported democracy ya "winner takes all", ambayo inataka mtu atakayepata 51% kuwa rais na mwingine anayepata 49% kuwa hana kitu. Hili halisaidii, kwa sababu hata mtu akipata 40% anaweza kujisikia karibu nusu ya nchi ina m support, na akajiona ana haki ya kuwa rais. Kungekuwa na mfumo wa kuwapa kazi hawa wapinzani wanaopata angalau 40% kusingekuwa na haja ya kuiba kura sana. Ukimwambia mtu anayepata 40%, acha ulalamishi for the sake of national unity, kaa hapo uwe Waziri Mkuu tuendeshe nchi inaweza kuonekana una kiss up, lakini utakuwa unaepusha shari na kuhakikisha wale 40% wanawakilishwa ipasavyo.

Hilo moja. Halafu la pili watu wanapenda kubugia habari za western media. Gbagbo is certainly a monster, he betrayed the spirit of change that he had so much promise for , right from his university days. But that does not mean Ouattara is the saint he is potrayed to be. The western media loves to potray these stories in a "saint versus devil" light. Ouattara used to be Felix Houphoet-Boigny's Prime Minister for god's sake. He was there when Boigny was selling out his neighbors to the French, he was a collaborator. After quitting as Ivorian PM after the Boigny death he went to work for the IMF for gods sake.

Mkuu,

What do you suggest as a solution to this stalemate or crisis for lack of a better word?

Meanwhile I like your signature statement on the correlation between poverty and the supernatural...:lol:......:focus:

 

[Kiranga]

Mkuu,

What do you suggest as a solution to this stalemate or crisis for lack of a better word?

Meanwhile I like your signature statement on the correlation between poverty and the supernatural...:lol:......:focus:

Mkuu sijakuona for a min up in here.

Mi nafikiri katika situations ambazo tunakuwa na a close runner up, provided the results are legit (say something around 40% for presidential and parliamentary elections) tuwe na governments of national unity.

But even more than that we need a responsible and learned middle class that is going to institute democratic tenets.

 

[kilimasera]

Majeshi yanayomtii Rais anayeungwa mkono na Umoja wa Mataifa Alassane Ouattara yanaelekea kwenye mji mkuu wa Ivory Coast, Yamoussoukro.

Majeshi yake hivi karibuni yameteka miji kadhaa na kiongozi aliye madarakani Laurent Gbagbo ametaka mapigano yasitishwe.

Bw Gbagbo amekataa kuachia madaraka licha ya Umoja wa Mataifa kutangaza kuwa alishindwa kwenye uchaguzi wa Novemba.

Mwandishi wa BBC alisema Yamoussoukro ni mji mkuu tu kwa jina, lakini kutekwa kwake kutakuwa ni ushindi wenye umuhimu mkubwa kwa majeshi yanayomwuunga mkono Ouattara.

Takriban watu 1,000,000 wamekimbia mapigano- hasa katika mji mkuu Abidjan- na karibu 462 wameuawa tangu Desemba, kulingana na Umoja wa Mataifa.

Katika mji wa magharibi wa Duekoue, maelfu ya watu wamejihifadhi kwenye kanisa baada ya kukimbia mapigano wiki hii.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/swahili/habari/2011/03/110330_ivory_coast_mjimkuu.shtml

 

[Askari Kanzu]

Gbagbo has "hours" for peaceful Ivorian exit -Soro

Wed Mar 30, 2011 6:57pm GMT

ABIDJAN, March 30 (Reuters) - Ivory Coast incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo has "a few hours" to relinquish power peacefully and there is no room for any further negotiations, rival Alassane Ouattara's prime minister said on Wednesday.

"The time for dialogue and ceasefires is over ... (Gbagbo) has a few hours to leave power peacefully," Guillaume Soro, who heads Ouattara's government, told French radio RFI.

Soro was speaking as forces loyal to Ouattara took the official capital, Yamoussoukro, neared the major port of San Pedro and headed towards the main city of Abidjan on Wednesday.

(Writing by David Lewis; editing by Richard Valdmanis)

Source:

 

[Askari Kanzu]

Ivory Coast rebels seize capital and march on Abidjan

Time running out for President Laurent Gbagbo as Alassane Ouattara's rebel forces prepare for final assault to take power

Pauline Bax in Abidjan and David Smith in Johannesburg guardian.co.uk, Thursday
31 March 2011

Pro-Ouattara forces in Duekoue, Ivory Coast. Photograph: Zoom Dosso/AFP/Getty

Rebels forces fighting to install Ivory Coast's democractically elected president are preparing to advance on the country's largest city, Abidjan, after seizing a key port and the official capital overnight.

Power seems to be slipping away from the incumbent president, Laurent Gbagbo, after troops loyal to his rival, Alassane Ouattara, swept south, taking the official capital, Yamoussoukro, and the port of San Pedro late on Wednesday.

Residents and combatants from both sides said opposition troops are in control and it is now largely calm apart from some sporadic shooting. Now attention turns to Abidjan, where the mood is tense ahead of a possible rebel assault. Ouattara's prime minister, Guillaume Soro, told French radio that Gbagbo has just hours to leave power peacefully.

In a further sign of Gbagbo's weakening position, the Army Chief of Staff sought refuge last night at the home of the South African ambassador to Ivory Coast.

Gen. Phillippe Mangou, his wife and five children arrived at the ambassador's home in Abidjan on Wednesday night, according to the South African foreign ministry.

South Africa says it is consulting with unnamed parties in Ivory Coast, West African regional leaders, the African Union and the U.N. on Mangou's move.

Ouattara's New Forces, renamed the Republic Forces (FRCI), have made huge gains in the past two days, seizing swaths of territory in the centre, east and west.

Seydou Ouattara, a military spokesman, told Reuters: "We have taken the port of San Pedro. Gbagbo's forces have all left. We are in full control."

Full Story

 

[Jasusi]

31 March 2011 Last updated at 1 Ivory Coast army chief Phillippe Mangou 'seeks refuge'

Gen Mangou's troops have been pushed back in a major offensive by pro-Ouattara forces this week
Continue reading the main story Ivory Coast crisis



Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo's army chief has sought refuge at the home of South Africa's ambassador in Abidjan, South Africa's foreign ministry says.
News of Phillippe Mangou's flight came as the UN-recognised president, Alassane Ouattara, said his fighters were "at the gates" of Abidjan.
His forces have been advancing towards Mr Gbagbo's base in Abidjan from their northern stronghold since Monday.
The UN says Mr Gbagbo lost November's poll, but he has refused to leave.
In a televised address, Mr Ouattara has appealed for his rivals soldiers to join him in order to prevent further suffering.
On Wednesday, his fighters captured Ivory Coast's capital, Yamoussoukro, and the key port of San Pedro.
The BBC's John James in Yamoussoukro says almost the only area President Gbagbo still controls is Abidjan - Ivory Coast's main city which is 240km (150 miles) south capital.
Mr Gbagbo's home town of Gagnoa has also fallen.
Since the crisis began in December, one million people have fled the violence - mostly from Abidjan - and at least 473 people have been killed, according to the UN.
Prison break Continue reading the main story Analysis

John James BBC News, Yamoussoukro
The fall of San Pedro is a major blow for Laurent Gbagbo's chances of staying in power.
It is the port that exports much of the country's principal crop, cocoa beans, and it opens up an important supply route to the sea.
Abidjan itself remains tense. There are some civilian barricades around the presidential palace. Businesses remain closed as people wait for pro-Ouattara forces.
They are expected to descend on the city in the coming hours from the north, north-west and north-east. President Gbagbo looks increasingly isolated and surrounded.

South Africa's Department of International Relations said Gen Mangou arrived at their ambassador's official residence in Abidjan with his wife and five children on Wednesday night.
"The South African government is in consultation with the relevant parties in the Ivory Coast, Economic Community of West African States, the African Union and the United Nations regarding this matter," the statement said.
According to the AFP news agency, Gen Mangou fled a day after state television read out a statement from him, urging Mr Gbagbo's supporters to enlist in the army if they are "willing to die for their country".
On Wednesday, the UN Security Council voted to impose sanctions on Mr Gbagbo's circle, adding to economic measures already taken by the EU and African groups.
The UN resolution, drafted by France and Nigeria, imposes a travel ban and assets freeze on Mr Gbagbo, his wife Simone and three of his closest associates.
Residents on the outskirts of Abidjan reported heavy fighting on the outskirts of the city on Thursday morning.
Our correspondent says there are several reports that the main prison has been broken into and the prisoners set free.
Pro-Gbagbo militiamen can be seen patrolling the city's empty streets in pick-up trucks.
Checkpoint killings

Pro-Gbagbo militiamen are patrolling Abidjan's streets
Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch says it has evidence that migrants from other West African countries are being targeted by pro-Gbagbo forces because they are seen as being sympathetic to Mr Ouattara.
The US-based rights group has documented the massacre of at least 37 foreign workers in a small village in the west, after forces loyal to Mr Ouattara passed through on their advance south.
"As they were killing people, they accused us of being rebels… They said other things in English that I couldn't understand," a 34-year-old man from Burkina Faso told the group's researchers.
"I saw 25 people killed with my own eyes. They killed women, with children, with men."
There are approximately five million expatriate workers in Ivory Coast from neighbouring countries, who came to work on cocoa farms and tropical fruit plantations in what used to be the region's economic powerhouse.
Continue reading the main story Ivory Coast: Battle for power

• 473 killed, one million fled since disputed election
• 9,000 UN peacekeepers monitor 2003 ceasefire
• World's largest cocoa producer
• Once haven of peace and prosperity in West Africa
• Alassane Ouattara recognised as president-elect
• International sanctions imposed to force Laurent Gbagbo to go

• Is all-out war inevitable?

West Africans are also being targeted in Abidjan, some at checkpoints, others house-to-house, Human Rights Watch says.
One witness in Abidjan described an incident on Wednesday:
"At noon, the militiamen stopped a pick-up truck and asked the driver and his apprentice for their ID papers. The driver was told to go ahead, but they pulled the apprentice out of the passenger seat and fired four times at him. His body is still in the street.
"This is their way of targeting foreigners… they judge your background from your ID papers."
Armed men supporting Mr Ouattara had also been killing pro-Gbagbo fighters and supporters, the Human Rights Watch statement said.
The pro-Ouattara forces have controlled the north of the country since a 2002 civil war.
Pro-Gbagbo troops have lost every battle against them since last November's election, our reporter says.
The election was intended to reunify the country.

 

[Askari Kanzu]

Gbagbo kwishnehi?

Ivory Coast's Gbagbo Losing Grip on Abidjan

VOA News March 31, 2011

Photo: Reuters. Smoke rises from the city center of Abidjan, Mar 31 2011

Ivory Coast's incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo is facing calls to resign immediately, as power slips from his grasp in the main city of Abidjan.

United Nations peacekeepers haven taken control of the Abidjan airport, while France says French peacekeepers are patrolling parts of Abidjan where looting broke out Thursday.

The United States, former colonial power France, and officials with the country's internationally-recognized president, Alassane Ouattara, all issued calls Thursday for Mr. Gbagbo to step down.

Fighters backing Mr. Ouattara have swept across Ivory Coast this week, seizing cities and towns and facing only minor resistance from Mr. Gbagbo's security forces.

Sounds of gunfire and explosions were heard in Abidjan Thursday as Ouattara forces descended on the city

Full Story

 

[Aza]

when I look back at Abidjan/Yamassoucros this is not the life at all
May God Almighty be with all ivorians,you shall live
seriously Ikulu is something else to some greedy creatures

 

[kilimasera]

Majeshi yanayomtii Rais wa Ivory Coast anayeungwa mkono na Umoja wa Mataifa, Alassane Ouattara, yanaonekana kuwa katika hatua ya mwisho ya kumwondoa mpinzani wake, Laurent Gbagbo, ambaye amekataa kuachia madaraka.

Katika mji mkuu, Abidjan, majeshi yanayomwuunga mkono Ouattara yameanza mashambulio kwenye makazi ya Rais yenye ulinzi mkali.

Majeshi ya Ufaransa yamewapeleka takriban raia wa kigeni 500 kwenye kambi ya jeshi kutokana na usalama kuzidi kuyumba mjini humo.

Majeshi yanayomwuunga mkono Ouattara yalianzsiha mapigano mapya siku ya Jumatatu.

Mwandishi wa BBC John James aliyopo katikati ya mji wa Bouake alisema hii inaonekana ni dakika za majeruhi kwa serikali ya Laurent Gbagbo.

Mkazi wa Abidjan alisema mapigano yalikuwa yakipamba moto katika wilaya ya Cocody kaskazini mwa nchi hiyo, eneo yalipo makazi ya Rais huyo.

BBC Swahili - Habari - Wapinzani uso kwa uso Ivory Coast

 

[Askari Kanzu]

The countdown is on. Gbagbo on the run!
Ivory Coast Rebels Seize State TV, Control Gbagbo Palace

April 01, 2011, 10:29 AM EDT

By Baudelaire Mieu, Olivier Monnier and Pauline Bax

(Updates with comments on Gbagbo's whereabouts in second paragraph, defection of police unit in 10th.)

April 1 (Bloomberg) -- Ivory Coast forces backing election winner Alassane Ouattara said they seized the state broadcaster and attacked incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo's residence and presidential palace amid heavy fighting.

The Republican Forces now control Gbagbo's residence in the Cocody neighborhood of Abidjan, the commercial capital, said Meite Sindou, a spokesman for Ouattara's prime minister, Guillaume Soro. Explosions and gunfire continued to rock the district and plumes of smoke rose into the sky, residents said. Gbagbo's spokesman denied speculation he fled the country.

"He is on Ivoirian territory, he has no intention of resigning," the spokesman, Ahoua Don Mello, said in an interview broadcast today on Radio France Internationale. The Republican Forces entered Abidjan late yesterday after an ultimatum for Gbagbo to accept his Nov. 28 election defeat and step down lapsed. The fighters had swept south from their base in the north of the country over the past two weeks, meeting little resistance from Gbagbo's forces.

"Radio Television Ivorienne fell into our hands last night," Sindou said in a phone interview today. Television broadcasts were halted at about midnight as heavy artillery fire and explosions shook buildings.

Full Story

 

[Horseshoe Arch]

Hii ndiyo dawa pekee ya utawala wa kidhalimu! Na ni halali ya Gabgo kufaidi alichokipanda!