It's been about 9 weeks since we looked in on Côte d'Ivoire -- Ivory Coast to monolingual anglophones, if you'll forgive the redundancy.When Walt last checked the election results, on January 30th, a chap named Alessane Ouattara had won the presidential election, in spite of the customary violence and fraud. However, the incumbent, Laurent Gbagbo (pictured) refused to hand over power. He had been advised, it seemed, by Zimbabwe's first and only president, Comrade Bob Mugabe, that just because you lose an election doesn't mean you have to go.
Fighting ensued, and at the end of January Ouattara's ragtag forces occupied the north (more Muslim) part of the country, including the shiny new capital which was being reclaimed by the jungle following the death of the previous president-for-life. Gabbo's army held the (more Christian) south, including the old capital, Abidjan.
Since then, the forces for democracy (African style) have pushed slowly but relentlessly southward, and this weekend had occupied the greater part of Abidjan. They are being supported by French and "UN forces", since the UN recognizes M. Ouattara. ("Allo, Ouattara! Ça va? Qu'avez-vous fait avec Gbagbo?!")
As of yesterday Gabbo was supposedly holed up in either the old presidential palace or possibly what's left of a 5-star hotel. Even the BBC refers to him as being "in the bunker". He is said to have prepared a special meal for his mistress and to be loading his Luger. Stay tuned.
Note to Ed.: I'm in a bit of a hurry this morning. Can you please check the loser's name? Also try to find a more recent picture.
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