Mr. Samateh and Mr. Sanneh, thank you very much for your contributions.
Sorry I could not get back to you earlier on. I was a bit tied up over the
weekend. Mr. Sanneh, as I said before, I will defer to your reading of the
situation; you being in Abidjan and being more conversant of what is going
on. I am glad that all of us (including Mr. Samateh) agree that the October
elections were flawed. Where do we go from there? Modalities have to be put
in place for a re-run; unless Gbagbo wants to use other means to justify his
presidency. Mr. Samateh, this position has nothing to do with the
credentials of Ouattarra. I frankly care less if the gentleman worked for
Hitler. My problem is with the process and tactics that Gbagbo is trying to
use to cling to power. I would be making the same arguments if Ouattarra was
in power and trying to unlawfully prevent Gbagbo from gaining power. Let the
people of Ivory Coast decide in a free and fair elections who they want to
lead them. If they want to hold Ouatttarra's association with Boigny against
the former, fine with me. I would still be a happy camper if Ouattarra runs
in a free and fair elections and loses. You are right that in most
democracies a lot of the electorate do not vote. However, the difference
here is that people boycotted the elections. They did not stay away because
of indifference (like in most countries). Here, it was a conscious decision
to protest a flawed electoral process. Frankly the reason am pursuing this
debate is because I can see the same thing happening back home. Let us try
and envisage a scenario where Yaya decides to ban PDOIS and UDP and contest
an election with Hamat Bah. As a result of the ban, PDOIS and UDP tell their
supporters to boycott the elections. Consequently, 30% of the electorate end
up voting, while 50% (supporters of PDOIS and UDP) decided to boycott the
elections; 20% falling to the category of indifferent folks. I hope my math
is right. Let us assume further that after the elections, Hamat Bah polls
20% and Yaya polls 10% (of the total electorate). Yaya then decides to still
remain in power. Hamat Bah mobilizes his supporters in the urban area and
forces Yaya out. Do you then think that PDOIS and UDP should call for an
elections where they would be able to participate? Clearly it was Yaya who
created the mess from the first place. But Hamat Bah should not be allowed
to benefit from the mess Yaya created. As the cliché goes, two wrongs does
not make a right. Granted, PDOIS and UDP could have confronted Yaya even
before the elections. But here you have to realize that they could also find
themselves confronting Hamat Bah's people since in this hypothetical Hamat
Bah also wants an elections. So tactically it might be more prudent to pit
Bah against Yaya and then confront the victor. In any case, by not
confronting the proponents of elections earlier, they by no means forfeit
their right to call for a free and fair elections in which they can
participate. Going back to Abidjan, am glad to learn that cooler heads are
prevailing. The violence has been somewhat curtailed and leaders are talking
about reconciliation. But it is vital that all the players agree on one
premise; and that is, Gbagbo cannot point to the October elections as a
basis for his presidency. Once that is out of the way, parties can then
negotiate as to what type of government they will have pending an elections
re-run and also negotiate on an elections time-table. It would not help
Gbagbo's cause to start citing extraneous matters about Ouattarra's
character to justify clinging to power. The process that put Gbagbo in power
is indefensible. We must all recognize that and urge Gbagbo to do what is
right. This also is not Western hypocrisy. The OAU (including Obasanjo and
Mbeki) were among the first people to call for a re-run. This is a matter of
principle and has nothing to do with the personalities. In my opinion, the
West is even showing some signs of betrayal towards Ouattarra. Like me,
countries like France are now urging Ouattarra to somehow recognize Gbagbo
in the interest of peace. This in my view is a betrayal. Like I said before,
am only adopting that view because I am not Ivorian and I do not know
certain details. But I would be the first to say that it is hypocritical to
encourage Ouattarra to call a boycott and then not stand by him when he
confronts an illegitimate government that came in the aftermath of the
boycotted elections. I think the Americans and the EU countries should
continue to put pressure on Gbagbo and not recognize his government.
Ouattarra should not be forced to succumb to the bully tactics used by Guei
and now Gbagbo.
I can say one thing for certain though. If the scenario I illustrated above
were to take place in The Gambia, there is no way I will urge Darboe or
Sallah to recognize a Bah government. The situation would clearly affect my
future and I will make it my business to know what is going on. I will
vehemently oppose Bah as I oppose Yaya because I do not believe the majority
of the Gambians voluntarily voted Yaya into office.
Mr. Sanneh am very glad you pointed out the role Guei (elections
commissioner) played in this debacle. Again, not knowing too much about what
transpired, I must say I was also impressed by the gentleman's stance
according to some of the reports I saw. It was reported that the man was
threatened at gun point by the junta and he still refused to announce bogus
results. This led to the dissolution of the Independent Commission. If you
noticed, after I read that, I sent another attack towards our elections
commissioner (Johnson). Although I did not quote the Ivorian situation, I
counseled Johnson to make sure that this time around, even if Yaya puts a
gun to his head, he (Johnson) should not participate in any elections fraud.
I repeat that if Johnson cannot take the heat, he should get out of the
kitchen. If he does not have the guts to stand up to Yaya, he should resign.
The opposition should hold Johnson to very high standards. We should learn
from the Ivorian situation and hold Johnson to standards even higher than
the Ivorians held their man. Going back to the Gambian hypothetical, the
opposition should not even allowed themselves to be banned in the first
place. If they have to take on Johnson, Bah and Yaya, they should do so
rather than further complicating the matter. Fighting a military
dictatorship is (politically) easier than fighting a civilian government;
albeit that government is also using brute force and blackmail tactics to
stay in power.
Mr. Sanneh, you also pointed out the role of the press. That is also very
important. The media should always endeavor to be fair and report things as
they are. One cannot overstate the importance of the media in shaping public
opinion. They should do their job without fear or favor. I join you in your
hope that one day the journalists that did a great job will be commended for
their noble actions. The people that promoted the injustice and propagated
lies should also be condemned.
Again gentlemen, thanks for your contributions. Mr. Samateh, I hope you and
your family are doing well and Mr. Sanneh, I hope the Gambian community in
Abidjan continues to thrive. I look forward to the day when we will all be
in a better position to contribute towards our national development. I wish
the Ivorians luck in the coming elections (next month).
Finally, the Gambian scenario I gave earlier is purely hypothetical. I just
used it to illustrate a point. I do not mean to in any way insinuate that
Hamat Bah will be a participant in such fraud. As a matter of fact, I do not
even know Mr. Bah.
KB
>From: Sidi M Sanneh <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Ivory Coast: Reflections on people power
>Date: Sat, 4 Nov 2000 02:48:56 GMT
>
>Mr.Dampha & Saiks,
>
>For now what I would like to add is that as I write this note the Bishop of
>CI, Imams from across the country, the youth wings of the FPI, RDR and
>PDCI,
>the Mayor of Treicheville and other members of the muslim and christian
>communities have all appeared on television at different times and in
>different localities, some meeting jointing, all appealing for peace and
>reconciliation. Members of the main ethnic groups have been going from
>house
>to house seeking pardon from their neighbours for the violence inflicted
>against their fellow Ivorian. These are the same groups who barely a week
>ago led security forces and identified their political opponents who were
>subsequently and summarily executed. Something else, Mr. Dampha and
>Saiks,and at least for now, the government-controlled media is not being
>used to incite ethnic confrontation and genocide as we have seen so many
>times in some parts of the continent, particularly in Rwanda. With my
>myopic
>vision, I see a process of reconciliation already underway; a window of
>opportunity (a diplomatic parlance which I appreciate now more than ever
>before)seem to present itself which every well-meaning politician should
>seize. My problem is that I cannot close my eyes to this fact, knowing
>fully
>well what the consequences would be if Ivorians refuse to take advantage of
>this opportunity. Gbagbo knows full well that he does not have the support
>of the majority of the voters of CI. He is also very well aware of the fact
>that he cannot govern without a truly coalition government with all the
>parties represented. His legitimacy will forever be questioned until he
>legitimises himself. In my view, he has several options available,
>including
>but not limited to the following:i) Mr. Dampha options i.e. re-run within
>six months with either a caretaker government of technocrats (who would
>automatically be deemed ineligible to run for election) or a coalition
>government ii)a coalition government with the majority party in Parliament,
>and depending on the size of the majority iii) "a co-habitation government"
>with the majority occupying the PM post. Obviously the last two options can
>only take place after the December elections which Mr.Dampha is not
>comfortable with because of the legitimacy of Gbagbo's government-an issue
>which, as indicated earlier, I prefer not to press at this point until
>after
>the December vote for the reasons cited above. It may appear that Gbagbo is
>blackmailing Ouattara into submission but I believe the most compelling
>reason for the softening of Ouattara's position has more to do with the
>backlash of the violence which followed after Guei's exit. Even some
>Ouattara's supporters were beginning to put the blame on him for the
>violence. In my view, he had to moderate his stance on re-running the
>presidential or run the risk of being blamed for plunging the country into
>a
>civil war, all in the personal interest of Alassane Dramane Ouattara.
>
>It is unfortunate that the final outcome of the election process and the
>subsequent eventualities have obscured some impressive advancement in our
>quest for a free and democratic Africa. For example, the role of the
>Independent Electoral Commission of Cote d'Ivoire, its chairman and the
>media (including State television)in the process has been complete obscured
>by the political debate. Despite the pressures associated with his
>functions as chairman of the Commission, he displayed courage and honesty.
>More will be said of him later. As in Senegal, the media
>was omnipresent and vigilant in its coverage of the election results.
>Hopefully, at some point, these positive aspects of the process will be
>elaborated upon. The role that the religious and traditional leaders played
>and continue to play needs to be acknowledged as well. It is all these
>things that cause me to favour putting the legitimacy issue aside until
>after the Legislative elections in December.
>
>Sidi Sanneh
>
>
>
>
>>From: Saikou Samateh <[log in to unmask]>
>>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
>><[log in to unmask]>
>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>Subject: Re: Ivory Coast: Reflections on people power
>>Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2000 23:55:59 -0000
>>
>>KB,
>>
>>One thing should be made clear here and that is to say,you will have to
>>struggle hard to find a country were more than 60% of eligible voters when
>>to the pools,such are rear occasions and shows how false it could be with
>>what we call Democracy.Secondly the People from the North did go to the
>>pools and secondly as far as Ouattara is not able to send the people to
>>the
>>street to defy the banning of his party and had to rely on other
>>parties,then we have to commend Gbogbo for doing that without waiting for
>>alliance from others,then the story would have been different,that is to
>>say
>>then Guei would have still been the President of Ivory Coast.
>>Thirdly the war against personality cult is no small things as far as
>>politics in our continent is concern.They are a big hindrance to
>>development
>>and participation,it is backward and have contributed greatly in pacifying
>>a
>>large section of many societies.
>>I still maintain my position that Gbogbo is the legitimate President of
>>Ivory Coast,even though as you rightly pointed out,from the start the
>>exclusion of other parties from the elections,is out right undemocratic,it
>>was not Gbogbo who did that.Now he has the chance of changing that foolish
>>law and so far there is nothing saying that he is not willing to do so.
>>I have said here that the parliamentary elections are very soon,if Ouattra
>>party wins this elections,unless that he would just want to be the
>>president,then he would still have nothing to lose.
>>I have also said here that,even though the West have been parading him as
>>a
>>democrat,modern and Intellectual,my doubts about this man is base on the
>>fact that he agreed to served an undemocratic government,he never joined
>>the
>>pro-democratic movement,but hold on to his post as PM whiles Ivorians were
>>fighting and dying for a democratic country.
>>As I have argued here also that Western propaganda and hypocrisy in
>>supporting this man is base on the simple fact that he can best serve
>>their
>>interest as he did whiles the PM of the Country some few years back.The
>>political crisis in this country did not come about just after the
>>elections,it has a history and this what still unfolding.
>>During the pro democratic crisis it was not a question of the north
>>against
>>the south and now that some are losing grounds,they will have to create
>>such grounds and with such a heavy Western propaganda,there is bound to be
>>problems.
>>The very reason why Ouattara,finally got to the discussion table was the
>>simple fact that he knew he could not win the battle,it was not out of
>>love
>>for his country,if he can loyally serve a dictator and witness the
>>unlawful
>>arrest and detention of democratic forces,what more would he not do ?
>>
>>For Freedom
>>Saiks
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: Dampha Kebba <[log in to unmask]>
>>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>Sent: Friday, November 03, 2000 9:48 PM
>>Subject: Re: Ivory Coast: Reflections on people power
>>
>>
>> > Mr. Samateh, thanks for giving me the opportunity to try and clarify
>>myself
>> > about the statement I made earlier on regarding Gbagbo. I think it is
>> > abundantly clear that the elections in October were unfair. I think we
>>all
>> > agree that the tactics used in order to eliminate Ouattarra and the
>>other
>> > camps were wrong. As a result, the majority of the Ivorian electorate
>> > boycotted the elections. This is the premise am coming from. In light
>>of
>> > this unfairness, Gbagbo should act like a true democrat and seek the
>>mandate
>> > of the whole Ivorian people (not just his supporters from the south).
>> > Ouattarra could not have come out with his supporters right after the
>> > elections and fight on Gbagbo's side. The reason being, he cannot help
>>to
>> > legitimize Gbagbo on the basis of a flawed elections. I also think that
>>it
>> > is unfair to label Ouattarra as an opportunist. He had all along
>>protested
>> > against the elections. He might not have confronted the authorities,
>>but
>>he
>> > mounted an effective protest against the elections. The success of the
>> > election boycott is why Gbagbo is having problems now. Judging from the
>>way
>> > you are now blaming Ouattarra for provoking Gbagbo supporters, am sure
>>if
>>he
>> > sent his people out to confront Guei, we will have people arguing that
>>he
>> > should not have confronted Guei. I respect the way he handled the
>>elections
>> > by telling his supporters not to partake in a flawed contest. My
>>reading
>>of
>> > the news up to the elections was that the Ouattarra and Bedie camps
>>were
>>not
>> > united as to the tactics they wanted to adopt. If you have such
>>disunity,
>> > you cannot mount an effective mass demonstration (especially against a
>> > callous military). So, I think these calculations might have prevented
>> > Ouattarra from taking to the streets before the elections. If it is
>> > legitimate now for Gbagbo to have confronted Guei because the latter
>>stole
>> > the elections, what is wrong in Ouattarra confronting Gbagbo? Gbagbo is
>> > trying to benefit from the same flawed system as far as Ouattarra is
>> > concerned. This 'personality cult' business by Gbagbo is just tokenism
>>in
>>my
>> > view. His calls to form a 'national reconciliation government' is a
>>step
>>in
>> > the right direction. But in my view, that is not enough to appease the
>> > people that justifiably boycotted the October elections. The
>>entitlement
>> > mentality evinced by Gbagbo is what I have a problem with. Because his
>> > people confronted Guei, he should be the beneficiary of a flawed
>>elections?
>> > If he is happy being in office with less than 30% of the electorate
>>voting
>> > for him, he can be my guest. He will just have to deal with the more
>>than
>> > 70% of the Ivorians that did not vote for him. Thanks again. It is good
>>that
>> > we try and learn from this situation and try not to repeat it in
>>Gambia.
>> > KB
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > >From: Saikou Samateh <[log in to unmask]>
>> > >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
>> > ><[log in to unmask]>
>> > >To: [log in to unmask]
>> > >Subject: Re: Ivory Coast: Reflections on people power
>> > >Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2000 21:45:39 -0000
>> > >
>> > >Mr Dampha,
>> > >
>> > >I do also disagree with much of your conclusions as to the way forward
>>in
>> > >this country.After saying this,I believed you still have to make your
>>self
>> > >clear why you have no respect for President Gbogbo,I have my doubts if
>>this
>> > >lack of respect is as a result of his recent reaction towards the
>>present
>> > >political situation.In the first place he did try to line up a
>>National
>> > >reconciliation government,something which a wise person would do as
>>far
>>as
>> > >the political situation are concern.He did announced that a commission
>>will
>> > >be set up to investigate into the matter that resulted into many the
>> > >dead.He
>> > >has even gone to the extend of waging a war against a personality cult
>> > >syndrome,non of his pictures will be seen displayed in the airport and
>> > >people tax money will not be used to say what he did and did not do
>>during
>> > >the week.This is a very important step forward in creating an image of
>>a
>> > >leader who will not be seen as a small God,with his picture on every
>>office
>> > >wall and street.
>> > >Ouattara should not in a moment demand for re-election,and sending his
>> > >people out in the street,not the day before the elections,not the day
>>of
>> > >the
>> > >elections but the very moment he new that people have fought and won
>>the
>> > >elections both at the pooling stations and in the streets,such
>>opportunism
>> > >should not be entertain.Gbogbo could have just accepted the
>>announcement
>> > >made by Guie and sit back just like what Ouattara did.
>> > >Ouattara knew very well that sending his supporters out in the streets
>>was
>> > >not only provoking but was putting the lives of the people in
>>danger,and
>> > >later only to understand that this was a battle he was to lose
>>anyway,thus
>> > >leaving the Western hypocrites and their allies to continue calling
>>for
>> > >re-elections.As it is said here the Ivorians are not naive and will be
>> > >watching this government too very closely.
>> > >
>> > >For Freedom
>> > >
>> > >Saiks
>> > >----- Original Message -----
>> > >From: Dampha Kebba <[log in to unmask]>
>> > >To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> > >Sent: Friday, November 03, 2000 3:32 PM
>> > >Subject: Re: Ivory Coast: Reflections on people power
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > > Mr. Sanneh, I agree with your assessment. The last thing we should
>>want
>> > >is
>> > > > for one more life be lost in any controversy surrounding an
>>election
>> > >re-run;
>> > > > especially, (as you pointed out) if Ouattarra is going to gain some
>> > > > semblance of power come December. As you can tell from a few of my
>> > >postings,
>> > > > am reluctantly willing to subscribe to the idea of giving Gbagbo a
>> > >chance
>> > >in
>> > > > order to save lives. But I must express my disappointment in Gbagbo
>>and
>> > >his
>> > > > intellectuals for their undemocratic and unpatriotic stand. What is
>> > >going
>> > >on
>> > > > in Ivory Coast now is not very different from what happened last
>> > >December
>> > > > when the military took a retired general (technically a civilian)
>>and
>> > > > install him in power. The elections they had in October was just a
>>sham
>> > > > elections. Had Gbagbo been prevented from running in those
>>elections,
>>I
>> > > > doubt whether his intellectuals would now be defending the
>>integrity
>>of
>> > > > those elections. To now use the military and terror tactics and
>>hold
>>the
>> > > > country at ransom is disingenuous. Ouattarra has the same
>>grievance
>> > >against
>> > > > Gbagbo that the latter had against Guei. Gbagbo was the victim of
>> > >elections
>> > > > fraud when Guei declared himself the winner and Ouattarra is now
>>the
>> > >victim
>> > > > of election fraud. This is indeed a good lesson for all Africans.
>>Our
>> > > > leaders behave like kids in candy stores. They want everything to
>> > > > themselves. There are even no guarantees that Ouattarra would have
>>acted
>> > > > properly had he been in Gbagbo's position. I hope our opposition
>>parties
>> > > > back home would learn from this and not betray each other and deal
>>with
>> > >the
>> > > > devil (Yaya). But one thing I have learnt is that politicians tend
>>to
>> > >have
>> > >a
>> > > > very selective memory. They don't learn from history. The same
>> > >xenophobia
>> > > > that led to the demise of Bedie also led to the downfall of Guei.
>>One
>> > >would
>> > > > have thought that Gbagbo will not fall into the same trap. But like
>>the
>> > > > typical African leader he is, he cannot save himself from himself.
>>He
>> > >will
>> > > > push his luck to the brink, trampling on people as long as he can
>>get
>> > >away
>> > > > with it. These leaders are not motivated by what is fair and good
>>for
>> > >the
>> > > > people. Instead they are more preoccupied by what is going to
>>perpetuate
>> > > > them in power. It is selfish of Gbagbo to ask Ivorians to leave him
>>in
>> > >power
>> > > > because if they don't, there would be war in the country. That is
>> > >blackmail.
>> > > > The presidency is not his birth-right and he has to earn in.
>> > >Participating
>> > > > in an election where more than half of the electorate boycotted the
>> > > > elections, does not suffice. People like Gbagbo, Guei, Yaya etc.
>>ought
>> > >to
>> > >be
>> > > > ashamed of themselves. Nelson Mandela spent the best part of his
>>life
>> > > > fighting injustice in his country. Talk about earning a presidency.
>>Yet
>> > >the
>> > > > man was even reluctant to be the leader of the ANC. Oliver Tambo
>>had
>>to
>> > > > literally beg him to assume the leadership of the ANC. After
>>assuming
>> > >the
>> > > > ANC leadership, did we hear him saying that he should be
>>automatically
>> > > > crowned as president of South Africa? The man participated in a
>>free
>> > > > elections and shared with De Klerk. When he became president, did
>>we
>> > >witness
>> > > > him changing the rules so that he can remain president for the rest
>>of
>> > >his
>> > > > life? The man left office voluntarily. These are the standards we
>>should
>> > >set
>> > > > for our leaders. They should be honorable men that are prepared to
>>do
>> > >what
>> > > > is right for the people and not follow their own selfish agendas
>>that
>> > >often
>> > > > end up visiting misery on their people.
>> > > > Again, since am not in Abidjan and cannot really gauge the mood of
>>the
>> > > > country, I will give Gbagbo benefit of the doubt. It is more
>>important
>> > >to
>> > > > save Ivorian lives than to fight Gbagbo on grounds of principle.
>>Having
>> > >said
>> > > > that, I must say that I have lost all respect for this man. If I
>>were
>>in
>> > >his
>> > > > position, I will first of all tell my supporters that violence is
>>not
>>an
>> > > > option. I will revise the Constitution and repeal the unfair
>>provisions.
>> > >I
>> > > > will form a government of national unity (where all the political
>> > >parties
>> > > > will participate) and then hold an elections re-run in three
>>months.
>> > > > Alternatively, they can let technocrats (that will be forbidden
>>from
>> > >running
>> > > > for office in the coming elections) run the government while
>>politicians
>> > > > campaign for a re-run in a month's time. That is the fair thing to
>>do.
>> > > > Thanks again Mr. Sanneh for your contributions. If only we had men
>>of
>> > > > integrity like your humble self running our African nations, we
>>would
>> > >not
>> > >be
>> > > > in the troubles we now find ourselves. I might not agree with the
>> > >cautious
>> > > > approach towards Gbagbo, but I respect your stand so long as it is
>>borne
>> > >out
>> > > > of concern for the ordinary Ivorian.
>> > > > KB
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > >From: Sidi M Sanneh <[log in to unmask]>
>> > > > >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
>> > > > ><[log in to unmask]>
>> > > > >To: [log in to unmask]
>> > > > >Subject: Re: Ivory Coast: Reflections on people power
>> > > > >Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2000 10:53:26 GMT
>> > > > >
>> > > > >Mr. Dampha,
>> > > > >
>> > > > >My initial reaction to Barnaby Phillips' report aired yesterday
>>was
>> > >similar
>> > > > >to yours. However, I am willing to give Gbagbo's government which
>>is
>> > > > >barely
>> > > > >a week old a chance to get to know his way around the bureacracy
>>he
>>has
>> > > > >inherited. Certainly, there are many old hands of the former
>>Bedie
>>and
>> > > > >Guei
>> > > > >regimes still around. How long they will remain in Gbagbo's regime
>>is
>> > >any
>> > > > >body's guess. The moment of truth will be the December legislative
>> > > > >elections. Should Ouattara's party and the PDCI win the majority
>>of
>> > >seats
>> > > > >as many political pundits believe, then Gbagbo will be left with
>>little
>> > > > >choice but to compromise in one form or another, including a
>>re-run.
>> > >Why
>> > > > >force a re-run now, with all the dangers associated with this
>>option,
>> > >when
>> > > > >all the major players seem to be moving toward the middle ground,
>> > >including
>> > > > >Ouattara who is seen as the main victim of a scewed electoral
>>process?
>> > >The
>> > > > >stakes are high: not only for CI but for the entire West Africa
>>region.
>> > > > >
>> > > > >Sidi Sanneh
>> > > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > > >>From: Dampha Kebba <[log in to unmask]>
>> > > > >>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
>> > > > >><[log in to unmask]>
>> > > > >>To: [log in to unmask]
>> > > > >>Subject: Ivory Coast: Reflections on people power
>> > > > >>Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2000 16:08:39 EST
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>See below an article I culled from the BBC. I thought it might
>> > >interest
>> > > > >>some
>> > > > >>of you. Of particular interest to me was the depiction of the
>> > >hypocrites
>> > > > >>that seem to survive the turmoil, so far. Since am not in
>>Abidjan,
>>I
>> > >will
>> > > > >>defer to Mr. Sanneh and others who seem to think that Gbagbo
>>should
>>be
>> > > > >>allowed to benefit from this fiasco. The same shenanigans that
>>led
>>to
>> > >the
>> > > > >>demise of Bedie and Guei will also destroy Gbagbo. I hope I am
>>wrong,
>> > >for
>> > > > >>the sake of the ordinary Ivorians. If we all agree that the
>>October
>> > > > >>elections are flawed, then the fair thing to do is to call a
>>re-run.
>> > > > >>Otherwise, we are just postponing the inevitable. I heard one of
>> > >Gbagbo's
>> > > > >>supporters on BBC the other day saying that the Outtarra myth was
>>just
>> > > > >>Western propaganda and that Ouattarra is not that popular in
>>Ivory
>> > >Coast.
>> > > > >>If
>> > > > >>that is the case, Gbagbo should not fear elections.
>> > > > >>KB
>> > > > >>
>> > > >
>> > >
>> >>_______________________________________________________________________
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>By Barnaby Phillips in Abidjan
>> > > > >>The very best and the very worst of humanity were so vividly on
>> > >display
>> > >in
>> > > > >>the main Ivorian city, Abidjan, this past week that I shall never
>> > >forget
>> > > > >>it.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>When growing tensions finally exploded, I spent much of my time,
>> > >crouched
>> > > > >>by
>> > > > >>the window of the BBC office, so conveniently located in the very
>> > >centre
>> > > > >>of
>> > > > >>the city.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>We watched in awe as the crowds marched towards the soldiers on
>>the
>> > > > >>streets
>> > > > >>below.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>Sometimes the soldiers fired over their heads, but sometimes they
>> > >fired
>> > > > >>right into their ranks - live ammunition.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>The crowds would fall as each volley was fired, wait a moment,
>>and
>> > >then
>> > > > >>rise
>> > > > >>and carry on walking.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>Except that we could see that after each volley, not everyone got
>>up -
>> > >a
>> > > > >>few
>> > > > >>just lay still.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>It was this courage that carried the crowds forward, right to the
>> > >gates
>> > >of
>> > > > >>the presidential palace, and forced military leader General
>>Robert
>> > >Guei
>> > > > >>into
>> > > > >>an ignominious and hurried departure.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>Reality
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>The following day, with the general gone, and the real winner of
>>the
>> > > > >>elections, Laurent Gbagbo, ready to be sworn in as president, we
>>were
>> > > > >>confronted with a much uglier and more complicated reality.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>Now we were out on the streets, driving through neighbourhoods
>>devoid
>> > >of
>> > > > >>all
>> > > > >>signs of life except for the ominous sight of gangs of young men
>> > >guarding
>> > > > >>each junction ahead.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>They carried clubs, and their faces were covered in war paint,
>>and
>> > >they
>> > > > >>would order us to stop.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>These were many of the same youths who had defied the bullets the
>>day
>> > > > >>before
>> > > > >>- now they were hunting down supporters of Laurent Gbagbo's great
>> > >rival,
>> > > > >>Alassane Ouattara, who had enraged them with his call for new
>> > >elections.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>"We are patriots and intellectuals, fighting a noble cause" one
>>man
>> > >said
>> > > > >>to
>> > > > >>me, as he checked whether passing vehicles were carrying anyone
>>from
>> > >the
>> > > > >>north of the country, which is Mr Ouattara's power-base.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>Any northerner discovered was lucky to be stripped naked and
>>beaten -
>> > > > >>dozens
>> > > > >>were clubbed to death.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>Africa's Milosevic?
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>Typically African you might say - that the heroism of a
>>Belgrade-style
>> > > > >>people's uprising should degenerate so rapidly into that grim but
>> > >familiar
>> > > > >>scenario of a vicious ethnic conflict.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>Well, perhaps, although there are plenty of people in Africa who
>>will
>> > > > >>argue
>> > > > >>that if the Balkan wars weren't tribal, then what on earth were
>>they?
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>I'm not quite sure whether General Robert Guei is Africa's
>>Milosevic,
>> > >as
>> > > > >>some of the banners held up by the crowd suggested.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>The two men share a lust for power, which made them utterly
>> > >indifferent
>> > >to
>> > > > >>the disastrous consequences of their actions for their respective
>> > > > >>countries.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>But General Guei never really seemed like a man in control.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>The evening before he was overthrown, we gathered in the
>>presidential
>> > > > >>palace
>> > > > >>for an extraordinary press conference.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>Just an hour earlier, the military had forcibly dissolved the
>> > >electoral
>> > > > >>commission, which was giving out results suggesting that General
>>Guei
>> > >had
>> > > > >>lost.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>Pushing his luck
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>This was more then he could take - he accused the commission of
>> > > > >>incompetence, and produced his own set of results, which gave him
>> > >victory.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>It was outrageous, and the general had pushed his luck too far.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>Outside the palace central Abidjan was already deserted, as
>>people
>> > >rushed
>> > > > >>home, fearing the worst.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>Across the river, in the poorer suburbs, the barricades were
>>already
>> > >going
>> > > > >>up.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>But in the palace, the General was thanking the people for their
>>wise
>> > > > >>selection, and promising to do the job to the best of his modest
>> > > > >>abilities.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>The crowd of cronies and sycophants sang the national anthem, and
>>the
>> > > > >>General left the room.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>He's not been seen in public since.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>Plus ca change
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>I marvelled at the stupidity of his closest supporters, and
>>wondered
>> > >what
>> > > > >>would happen to them in the tumultuous hours that were bound to
>> > >follow.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>In fact, it was me who was being naïve.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>Two days later, in that same palace, the world had turned upside
>>down,
>> > >and
>> > > > >>yet nothing had changed.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>Laurent Gbagbo, for years seen as little more than a
>>rabble-rouser
>>off
>> > >the
>> > > > >>street, was being sworn in as the new president.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>His wife could not hold back her tears.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>And there, in the room, were many of the same men, their faces
>>beaming
>> > > > >>with
>> > > > >>smiles, who had stood beside General Guei two nights earlier.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>The impossibly suave Armenian, who has somehow made himself
>> > >indispensable
>> > > > >>to
>> > > > >>everyone who rules Ivory Coast. And Brigadier-General Mattius
>>Due,
>>who
>> > >had
>> > > > >>quickly transformed himself from hard-man in the military junta,
>>to
>> > >army
>> > > > >>chief-of-staff, serving a democratic government.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>And perhaps that is the real lesson of all revolutions, be they
>>in
>> > >Africa
>> > > > >>or
>> > > > >>in Yugoslavia.
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>For all the gun-shots, smoke and drama, the really powerful
>>people
>> > >remain
>> > > > >>discreetly in the background, and, once the crowds have
>>dispersed,
>> > >quickly
>> > > > >>pick up where they left off.
>> > > > >>
>> > > >
>> > >
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