Freedom House Condemns Gbagbo’s Rejection of African Union Panel Recommendations
Washington
Freedom House strongly condemns the refusal of Côte d’Ivoire’s Laurent Gbagbo to accept an African Union panel’s recommendation that he turn over power to Alassane Ouattara, the legitimate winner of last November’s election. Freedom House welcomes the AU decision to appoint a high representative to negotiate the implementation of the panel’s recommendations within the next two weeks. However, if Gbagbo continues his refusal to step down peacefully, all options for his removal from office should remain on the table.
Gbagbo’s refusal to step down despite widespread appeals by the international community has led to postelection violence, including the deaths of as many as 400 people and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of others. In recent weeks, security forces loyal to Gbagbo have opened fire on pro-Ouattara protesters, killing dozens.
The panel of five African presidents tasked with making recommendations for a resolution of the standoff submittedits proposal to the AU Peace and Security Council on Wednesday. Gbagbo, who did not attend the meeting, has roundly rejected the panel’s proposal that he step down.
“The violent attacks on protesters and Gbagbo’s willingness to allow the country to hover on the brink of civil war are clear indications of his blatant disregard for the well-being of the citizens of Côte d’Ivoire,” said David J. Kramer, executive director at Freedom House. “Every day that he refuses to accept the inevitable only exacerbates the already difficult conditions faced by the people of Côte d’Ivoire. In light of Gbagbo’s rejection of the AU’s recommendations, Freedom House urges the organization to keep the option of military intervention on the table.”
As the country descends into political and economic chaos, the increasingly isolated incumbent has been forced to seize control of several of the country’s major assets, including the lucrative cocoa industry and several local banks, in order to finance his illegitimate government. Media reports yesterday claimed that Gbagbo has banned French and United Nations peacekeeping flights from the country’s airspace, which may affect Ouattara’s ability to return from the AU session in Addis Ababa. This morning, Gbagbo’s forces attacked the sole press distributor that was supportive of Ouattara, effectively shutting it down.
Côte d’Ivoire is ranked Not Free in Freedom in the World 2011, Freedom House’s survey of political rights and civil liberties, and Not Free in Freedom of the Press 2010.
For more information on Côte d’Ivoire, visit:
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