I would assume that the problem was not whether General Guei had to go or
not. Much of it could have been the result of the deliberate exclusion of a
section of the society from taking part in the election process, people who
now feel to be heard.

The whole situation in Ivory Coast seems messed up. On the surface,
conventional democratic principles qualifies the existence of the new
President. Beneath that, sufficient representation by the President of the
majority is definitely questionable. Representation by the majority who
willingly take part or willingly refuse to take part to be represented is
what seems to be at stake at Ivory Coast. Seemingly eligible people were
barred from the election process. Do they, therefore, call for new
elections? What will be the position of the new President? He certainly has
ligitimate claims to the Presidency. The crucial question to ask is:: How
democratic are so-called democratic elections when willing participants are
refused to participate in them?

This will likely draw a line of difference between the recent experiences in
both Yoguslavia and Ivory Coast. Let see that for ourselves.

Alieu k.


>From: foroyaa <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: FOROYAA PUBLICATION (COTE D'IVOIRE)
>Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 14:20:59 -0000
>
>COTE D'IVOIRE: THE END AND THE BEGINNING
>The developments in Cote D'Ivoire have lessons for countries in Africa in
>particular and the World in general.
>The fundamental lesson to draw is that where a people know what they want
>and are organised to fight for it no force on earth will be able to block
>them from achieving success. However, if short term solutions are sought
>for
>long term problems immediate success is  bound to be accompanied by new
>complications. This is how matters stand in Cote D'Ivoire.
>At first the people had assumed that the problem was general Guei. Now that
>he is gone tension still remains in Cote D'Ivoire. What is responsible for
>this tension? How is it to be addressed?
>
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