When there was an electoral stand-off in Zimbabwe, power-sharing was the solution and Robert Mugabe remained President. In Kenya, power-sharing was also the preferred route to peace and Mwai Kibaki remained President. (In both cases the opposition leaders, Morgan Tsvangirai and Raila Odinga, became Prime Minister.)
The calculation was made that shared power gave [peace the best chance, and that peace was more important than trying to establish who had won and then implementing the result. Bearing in mind Africa's terrible history of civil wars, the pressure to avoid them is inevitable.
Now, Ivory Coast is choosing an alternative to shared power, but the principle of peace above all else remains.
Adu in Ghana on Facebook - What assets belong to him? Those aquired before being president or assets acquired when he was president? We are joking here, Ecowas.
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18:21
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Paul in Kampala on Facebook - No deal!! Lose an election, take your lousy butt home. Simple.
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18:21
116013126
@91بب±¬_WHYS Why have Mr Gbagbo and Mr Bedie failed to create a national con census including Northerners? But Houphouet-Boingy did!
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18:21
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Fallswood on the blog - Prime Minister Odinga was spot on two weeks ago when he said President Gbagbo should be removed by military means if he negates the will of the people. Mr. Odinga was elected popularly by the majority of Kenyans, but it seems the political impasse arose from the leadership of a minority group which imposed itself on the whole population politically
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18:21
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Jemaik on the blog - My dear African leaders, I do believe you have a judicial system in your country. Don't do to someone what you wouldn't like done to you. Mr Gbagbo is the legitimate president of Ivory cost and he must be treated as such.
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18:21
108514822
What has hapened 2 the concept o Oposition, where they thro clever debate they stop the rkving party pasing unfair laws, and trying 2 get their ideas acepted so win next election. Colition power sharing great an peaceful but theres nn balaoce of an oposition.
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18:20
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Jackie emailed - In Zimbabwe the power sharing did not work and promises made were not kept. Before a comparison is made, there should be more analysis of what is meant by peace in Zimbabwe.
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18:20
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Zablon at Strathmore University on Facebook - Gbagbo has a point - the vote in the northern part of the country was simply rigged. Don't call anything before a recount, simple.
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18:20
114990349
The idea of sharing power will always give chance 2 despots 2 cling 2 power,African despots understand d language of the gun. KINDEKU JOSEPH in Uganda
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18:19
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I wonder why Ivory Coast should welcome the AU and ECOWAS representatives when Ivory Coast is no longer a member of these organisations.
Karta Yu
Tema, Ghana
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18:19
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Dr Abel emailed - The world should do what it takes, to make deviant Gbagbo step down for the rightful president of Ivory Coast. This would serve as a lesson to other so-called leaders in other countries, whether in Africa or somewhere else.
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18:19
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Just another monster trying to take control in africa. Same old, same old.... Banks, amsterdam
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18:19
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If mr Taylor should have not have over power to vice president what Liberia should be today? Because if love his country and his people so if sacrific his Presidency. From Abdul Bangura, kuntaya The gambia
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18:18
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Simon at Cavendish University on Facebook - No more bloodshed. If it can bring peace let the deal be done
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18:18
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Michael in Nigeria on Facebook - This is Gbagbo's last chance. If he refuses the deal then use of force is inevitable
Must Ivory Coast prioritise peace above all else?
| Monday, 1 Jan. 2011 | 18:06 - 19:00 GMT
When there was an electoral stand-off in Zimbabwe, power-sharing was the solution and Robert Mugabe remained President. In Kenya, power-sharing was also the preferred route to peace and Mwai Kibaki remained President. (In both cases the opposition leaders, Morgan Tsvangirai and Raila Odinga, became Prime Minister.)
The calculation was made that shared power gave [peace the best chance, and that peace was more important than trying to establish who had won and then implementing the result. Bearing in mind Africa's terrible history of civil wars, the pressure to avoid them is inevitable.
Now, Ivory Coast is choosing an alternative to shared power, but the principle of peace above all else remains.
Your comments
Comment sent via Facebook
Adu in Ghana on Facebook - What assets belong to him? Those aquired before being president or assets acquired when he was president? We are joking here, Ecowas.
Comment sent via Facebook
Paul in Kampala on Facebook - No deal!! Lose an election, take your lousy butt home. Simple.
Comment sent via Twitter
@91بب±¬_WHYS Why have Mr Gbagbo and Mr Bedie failed to create a national con census including Northerners? But Houphouet-Boingy did!
Comment sent via BLOG
Fallswood on the blog - Prime Minister Odinga was spot on two weeks ago when he said President Gbagbo should be removed by military means if he negates the will of the people. Mr. Odinga was elected popularly by the majority of Kenyans, but it seems the political impasse arose from the leadership of a minority group which imposed itself on the whole population politically
Comment sent via BLOG
Jemaik on the blog - My dear African leaders, I do believe you have a judicial system in your country. Don't do to someone what you wouldn't like done to you. Mr Gbagbo is the legitimate president of Ivory cost and he must be treated as such.
Comment sent via SMS
What has hapened 2 the concept o Oposition, where they thro clever debate they stop the rkving party pasing unfair laws, and trying 2 get their ideas acepted so win next election. Colition power sharing great an peaceful but theres nn balaoce of an oposition.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Jackie emailed - In Zimbabwe the power sharing did not work and promises made were not kept. Before a comparison is made, there should be more analysis of what is meant by peace in Zimbabwe.
Comment sent via Facebook
Zablon at Strathmore University on Facebook - Gbagbo has a point - the vote in the northern part of the country was simply rigged. Don't call anything before a recount, simple.
Comment sent via SMS
The idea of sharing power will always give chance 2 despots 2 cling 2 power,African despots understand d language of the gun. KINDEKU JOSEPH in Uganda
Comment sent via SMS
I wonder why Ivory Coast should welcome the AU and ECOWAS representatives when Ivory Coast is no longer a member of these organisations. Karta Yu Tema, Ghana
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Dr Abel emailed - The world should do what it takes, to make deviant Gbagbo step down for the rightful president of Ivory Coast. This would serve as a lesson to other so-called leaders in other countries, whether in Africa or somewhere else.
Comment sent via SMS
Just another monster trying to take control in africa. Same old, same old.... Banks, amsterdam
Comment sent via SMS
If mr Taylor should have not have over power to vice president what Liberia should be today? Because if love his country and his people so if sacrific his Presidency. From Abdul Bangura, kuntaya The gambia
Comment sent via Facebook
Simon at Cavendish University on Facebook - No more bloodshed. If it can bring peace let the deal be done
Comment sent via Facebook
Michael in Nigeria on Facebook - This is Gbagbo's last chance. If he refuses the deal then use of force is inevitable