General Gbako was power drunk.  I saw some pictures of him hobnobbing with
the elite during his shopping trips to the most expensive malls in Abidjan.
He must have seen himself as the second coming of the late Papa Hophuet
Boigny.

Once he got a taste of power and wealth, he did not want to let go.  But he
got what he deserves albeit, sadly, at a great cost to the economic beacon of
Africa.

 Cote D'Ivoire still has tremendous issues to face.  Foreigners make up about
25% of the 16 million population, and they have worked quite hard to help
make the country among the most stable economically and until recently
politically.  In fact, the popular opposition leader, Outarra, was barred
from taking part in the elections because of his supposed nationality.

Gbako, the new president, has spoken against these same foreigners and their
offspring who are Ivorian by birth.  This type of xenophobia cannot be
tolerated.  And, in order to be a good leader, he needs to completely abandon
his xenophobic beliefs.

At this point, the jury is still out on Gbako. But  I do sincerely hope that
the country recovers quickly from this tumultuous state.

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