The Crisis

After a long delayed presidential election in the Ivory Coast, former president Laurent Gbagbo has denied the victory of his political rival Alassane Ouattara. On a continent where stolen elections are far from uncommon, this situation is exceptional because, in this case, all major powers in Africa agree that strong arm leader of the Ivory Coast, Laurent Gbagbo, must go. Yet, Mr. Gbagbo has recently threatened to attack immigrants from  opposing countries that pressure him to resign. Recent reports by The United Nations have shown that people have been beaten, shot, and  abducted in immigrant neighborhoods. This has only increased the crisis. People around the world are outraged at the crimes against humanity being committed in the Ivory Coast. However there is a fear shared by many nations of outside forces  getting militarily involved with the Ivory Coast,  because it could potentially plunge the  country back into civil war which would be unfortunate for both sides. In many other disputed elections in Africa, there has been an agreement and wishy washy sharing of power, but in The Ivory Coast this seems not to be an option. Possibly Mr. Gbagbo is will cede his power in the face of overwhelming military force, but so far their has been no signs of this happening. The Ivory Coast is now in a bloody dispute of power and the outcome is currently unclear.