Civil War Warnings in Ivory Coast

The Ivory Coast’s incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo, who refuses to step aside after losing to a rival in November’s presidential election, has warned that any foreign intervention could spark an “interior war.”

Election-related violence has already killed at least 173 people in the West African country. —JCL

The BBC:

Foreign intervention to oust Ivory Coast’s incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo could ignite a civil war, a spokesman for the president has warned.

West African leaders have warned of military action if Mr Gbagbo refuses to hand power to rival Alassane Ouattara.

But Ahoua Don Mello said such a move could spark an “interior war” due to foreign workers living in the country, AFP reports.

Mr Gbagbo has refused to step aside following November’s disputed election.

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AP / Sunday Alamba

Police stand guard during a youth rally in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, last Sunday.