Showdown Takes Shape in Ivory Coast

Posted on Apr 1, 2011

news.bbc.co.uk

Demonstrators hold a poster of Alassane Ouattara, winner of last November’s presidential election.

The West African nation of Ivory Coast is under crisis as troops supporting the United Nations-recognized president, Alassane Ouattara, move for a final push to oust Laurent Gibagbo, the sitting president.

Ouattara was accepted as official president last year after the state’s electoral commission declared him the winner of a runoff election, but the incumbent Gibagbo has refused to vacate his seat. —JCL

The BBC:

Troops supporting the UN-recognised president of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara, appear poised for a final push to oust his rival, Laurent Gbagbo, who refuses to give up the presidency.

In the main city, Abidjan, pro-Ouattara forces have launched an assault on the fortified presidential residence.

French troops have taken about 500 foreigners to a military camp amid increasing insecurity in the city.

Mr Ouattara’s supporters launched a fresh offensive on Monday.

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