Update from Ros: We're inviting people we know that you want to speak to...
2011 is a big year for African politics. Next year nearly twenty nations across the continent will hold national elections, probably the most since the independence era.
So you can understand why many have been watching the events unfolding in Ivory Coast. One observer has said this is the World vs Gbagbo in an African test case.
With numerous International and African bodies going up against a steadfast incumbent the outcome in Ivory Coast will surely send a message to the rest of continents leaders ahead of so many important elections.
Today the UN is warning of a real risk of civil war in the country, they say Mr Gbabgo is recruiting Liberian mercenaries in preparation of violence. The Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has also accused Mr Gbabgo of blockading the country’s UN mission warning that “attempting to starve them into submission will not be tolerated.”
- We've the UN spokesperson in Ivory Coast to respond to your points.
- We'll have at least one expert on Ivory Coast to answer any questions you have about the country and its politics.
- We're inviting spokespeople for both Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara to respond to your points (though neither have confirmed yet...).
ORIGINAL POST:
So where will this all end? The Economist says the AU must not look weak:
As the continent’s leading body, which often intones the mantra of “African solutions to African problems”, must not back down. It has done just that several times before when a well-entrenched incumbent has been defeated at the polls but insisted on staying on. In the past few years, most notably in Kenya and Zimbabwe, presidents have lost elections but, after horrendous spasms of violence, have persuaded the AU and junior regional bodies, such as the 15-country Southern African Development Community, to let them remain at the head of patchwork governments of “national unity”. Worse still, a year ago in Madagascar the AU deplored a coup and loudly insisted that the power-grabber should stand aside. But after an awkward hiatus, nothing more was done.
Knox Chitiyo, head of the Africa programme at the Royal United Services Institute says the international community must act fast:
If the impasse continues, the implications are that elections don't matter and that defeated candidates who have military support can always use constitutionalism to subvert democracy.
The EU has agreed a travel ban on Mr Gbabgo and at least one African country has offered him exile if he steps down but what more can be done? According to the FT an african diplomat is very clear about the options left to Eocwas:
There are two scenarios: either the international and regional pressure pushes Gbagbo to leave office or there is civil war. There is no third way.
Do you agree? We’ve been here before and with so much at stake how can an agreement be reached?
Its embarasing as a black man 2 c whats going on over there.why cant black leaders stop the fight 4 power n b concern about the people.fabian lewis,jamaica.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:21
113631290
Carruthers in Ghana: The UN is taking far too long! They should intervene and kick out Gbagbo by now. If this is not done, the rest of Africa will slide down that slippery slope.
Comment sent via Twitter
18:17
115065623
All Laurent Gbagbo is doing is providing a live demonstration of how to be a selfish and self-serving African leader @91Čȱ¬_WHYS
Comment sent via SMS
18:17
115958167
African leaders can be brought to reason best by their peers&by dialoguing.why not set up an election review commission consisting of respected(regional)african leaders,from economically&politically interdependent countries around like senegal,sierra leone,etc?isabelle,switzerland
Comment sent via SMS
18:16
114548678
I have a question. considering your experience and the track these events are going, do you think in the end there will be a civil war? Alex in Chicago USA
Comment sent via Facebook
18:17
113631290
Ron: Did the UN intervene when the United States of America was formed? The UN sticks their nose into places it shouldn't. The UN should only intervene when all parties or governing bodies agree for assistance from the UN.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:16
113631290
Chinedu emails: Gbagbo has the full support of the Military. If Outtara is given the presidency won't he be challenged by those who are loyal and always have been loyal to Gbagbo and think the removal of their man is unjust.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:12
113631290
Nshom: Did I hear right? Mr Gbagbo's lawyer on the program has just said that he does not know who won?
Comment sent via Facebook
18:09
113631290
Selorb: I think Mr Gbagbo's intentions are clear so why keep talking whilst people are losing their lives.Th UN should stop talking and act now.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:08
113631290
Nengaks: In 2011 there are presidential and parliamentary elections coming up in Niger, Nigeria, The Gambia, Cape Verde, Liberia, and Benin as well as in neighbouring Chad, Cameroon and Mauritania. How the crisis in Cote d'Ivoire is settled is something analysts in these countries will be keenly watching.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:05
113631290
ChadLupkes emails: Which of these two choices matters more to the future of Ivory Coast? The vote of the people of the country, or the constitutional court of the country? From what I have heard, NOBODY is asking for a recount of the votes. Shouldn't that be the first step?
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:05
113631290
Mgbudomobi emailed: Whatever happens in Ivory Coast today, the International community - the UN, EU, AU,ECOWAS - shall all be held responsible because of their inability to confront the man in power.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:03
113631290
Ehi: Ivory Coast is effectively divided into two by a tolerated rebellion in the North. I suggest a confederation of the North and South with new leaders to replace the two contenders.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:02
113631290
Talib in Sierra Leone: Your advice is about to bring war on your people, how do you think history will judge you?
Comment sent via host
17:58
113631290
We''re on air now talking about the deteriorating situation in the Ivory Coast. Should the UN intervene? What kind of example will this set for the many African nations holding elections in 2011?
On air: Ivory Coast on the Brink
| Wednesday, 12 Dec. 2010 | 17:52 - 19:00 GMT
Update from Ros: We're inviting people we know that you want to speak to...
2011 is a big year for African politics. Next year nearly twenty nations across the continent will hold national elections, probably the most since the independence era.
So you can understand why many have been watching the events unfolding in Ivory Coast. One observer has said this is the World vs Gbagbo in an African test case.
With numerous International and African bodies going up against a steadfast incumbent the outcome in Ivory Coast will surely send a message to the rest of continents leaders ahead of so many important elections.
Today the UN is warning of a real risk of civil war in the country, they say Mr Gbabgo is recruiting Liberian mercenaries in preparation of violence. The Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has also accused Mr Gbabgo of blockading the country’s UN mission warning that “attempting to starve them into submission will not be tolerated.”
- We've the UN spokesperson in Ivory Coast to respond to your points.
- We'll have at least one expert on Ivory Coast to answer any questions you have about the country and its politics.
- We're inviting spokespeople for both Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara to respond to your points (though neither have confirmed yet...).
ORIGINAL POST:
So where will this all end? The Economist says the AU must not look weak:
As the continent’s leading body, which often intones the mantra of “African solutions to African problems”, must not back down. It has done just that several times before when a well-entrenched incumbent has been defeated at the polls but insisted on staying on. In the past few years, most notably in Kenya and Zimbabwe, presidents have lost elections but, after horrendous spasms of violence, have persuaded the AU and junior regional bodies, such as the 15-country Southern African Development Community, to let them remain at the head of patchwork governments of “national unity”. Worse still, a year ago in Madagascar the AU deplored a coup and loudly insisted that the power-grabber should stand aside. But after an awkward hiatus, nothing more was done.
Knox Chitiyo, head of the Africa programme at the Royal United Services Institute says the international community must act fast:
If the impasse continues, the implications are that elections don't matter and that defeated candidates who have military support can always use constitutionalism to subvert democracy.
The EU has agreed a travel ban on Mr Gbabgo and at least one African country has offered him exile if he steps down but what more can be done? According to the FT an african diplomat is very clear about the options left to Eocwas:
There are two scenarios: either the international and regional pressure pushes Gbagbo to leave office or there is civil war. There is no third way.
Do you agree? We’ve been here before and with so much at stake how can an agreement be reached?
Your comments
Comment sent via SMS
Its embarasing as a black man 2 c whats going on over there.why cant black leaders stop the fight 4 power n b concern about the people.fabian lewis,jamaica.
Comment sent via Facebook
Carruthers in Ghana: The UN is taking far too long! They should intervene and kick out Gbagbo by now. If this is not done, the rest of Africa will slide down that slippery slope.
Comment sent via Twitter
All Laurent Gbagbo is doing is providing a live demonstration of how to be a selfish and self-serving African leader @91Čȱ¬_WHYS
Comment sent via SMS
African leaders can be brought to reason best by their peers&by dialoguing.why not set up an election review commission consisting of respected(regional)african leaders,from economically&politically interdependent countries around like senegal,sierra leone,etc?isabelle,switzerland
Comment sent via SMS
I have a question. considering your experience and the track these events are going, do you think in the end there will be a civil war? Alex in Chicago USA
Comment sent via Facebook
Ron: Did the UN intervene when the United States of America was formed? The UN sticks their nose into places it shouldn't. The UN should only intervene when all parties or governing bodies agree for assistance from the UN.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Chinedu emails: Gbagbo has the full support of the Military. If Outtara is given the presidency won't he be challenged by those who are loyal and always have been loyal to Gbagbo and think the removal of their man is unjust.
Comment sent via Facebook
Nshom: Did I hear right? Mr Gbagbo's lawyer on the program has just said that he does not know who won?
Comment sent via Facebook
Selorb: I think Mr Gbagbo's intentions are clear so why keep talking whilst people are losing their lives.Th UN should stop talking and act now.
Comment sent via Facebook
Nengaks: In 2011 there are presidential and parliamentary elections coming up in Niger, Nigeria, The Gambia, Cape Verde, Liberia, and Benin as well as in neighbouring Chad, Cameroon and Mauritania. How the crisis in Cote d'Ivoire is settled is something analysts in these countries will be keenly watching.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
ChadLupkes emails: Which of these two choices matters more to the future of Ivory Coast? The vote of the people of the country, or the constitutional court of the country? From what I have heard, NOBODY is asking for a recount of the votes. Shouldn't that be the first step?
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Mgbudomobi emailed: Whatever happens in Ivory Coast today, the International community - the UN, EU, AU,ECOWAS - shall all be held responsible because of their inability to confront the man in power.
Comment sent via Facebook
Ehi: Ivory Coast is effectively divided into two by a tolerated rebellion in the North. I suggest a confederation of the North and South with new leaders to replace the two contenders.
Comment sent via Facebook
Talib in Sierra Leone: Your advice is about to bring war on your people, how do you think history will judge you?
Comment sent via host
We''re on air now talking about the deteriorating situation in the Ivory Coast. Should the UN intervene? What kind of example will this set for the many African nations holding elections in 2011?