Power struggle in the Ivory Coast

Since the presidential elections at the end of November a power struggle has raged in Ivory Coast between the former president Laurent Gbagbo and his challenger Alassane Ouattara, who was declared the winner by the electoral commission. The left-liberal daily Libération criticises Gbagbo for clinging on to power at all costs: "Is it necessary to stress that the majority of voters have punished their president after ten years of absolute power? That's exactly what he and his camp can't accept. Two weeks after his defeat, Laurent Gbagbo has shown that he will do anything to remain in power and continue profiting from his position. He persecutes and kills his opponents and uses his henchmen, the Young Patriots, to spread fear and gag the press. ... And with its toxic concept of 'ivoirité' the Gbagbo clan is fanning xenophobia."

» full article (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Elections, » Africa
All available articles from » François Sergent

» To the complete press review of Tuesday, December 21, 2010