Sara Atteby

Flash Floods Continue to Wreak Havoc in Australia

10 janvier 2011 by Sara Atteby

Wide Bay Highway - Flooding in Queensland, Australia — Flooding in Queensland, Australia (Photo by Gunter Lipowitz)

Flash flooding in Australia has caused the death of one woman and at least three others are currently missing, according to The Australian newspaper. « There has been loss of life, I don’t know how many at this point but I do know that at least one person’s life has been lost and there’s massive damage, » Toowoomba mayor Peter Taylor told ABC Radio.

Cars, houses and even railway lines have been dramatically swept away and electricity cut off as the flood waters headed to more densely populated areas of south east Queensland in the north east of Australia on Monday. Many major roads have been cut off, leaving residents stranded.

With more rain predicted and dams rapidly filling it is feared that the city of Brisbane, with its rivers and creeks already overflowing, may be relive 1974, when the capital was devastated by floods that killed 14 people and inundated hundreds of homes.

By Sara Atteby

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Ivory Coast talks to go on, but for Ouattara “discussions are terminated”

4 janvier 2011 by Sara Atteby

African leaders held talks on Monday in Ivory Coast with the aim of resolving the Electoral crisis after run off polls held in November of 2010. Meeting first with Laurent Gbagbo this afternoon at the Presidential Palace and then Alassane Ouattara later at the Golf Hotel in Abidjan, the talks ended this evening with no clear resolution.

According to Reuters the talks ended with no deal, but are expected to continue. Sierra Leone’s, Ernest Bai Koroma was quoted as saying, « We have had very, very important meetings … At this stage we can only say the discussions are ongoing. »

However on Monday evening Ouattara himself said at a press conference that, “For us, the discussions are terminated.”

Gbagbo again made it clear today that he is not prepared to step down from power and will not accept a settlement deal.

Representing the AU, Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga attended the talks along with West African Presidents Boni Yayi (Benin), Ernest Koroma (Sierra Leone) and Pedro Pires (Cape Verde).

By Sara Atteby

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Ivory Coast: Soro to International Community “only solution to the crisis is the use of force”

22 décembre 2010 by Sara Atteby

In an interview on Wednesday with french television network I-Tele, former rebel leader and Ouattara’s chosen Prime Minister Guillaume Soro said, « It is obvious the only solution to the crisis is the use of force. »

Calling upon the support of the international community Soro said, « I ask the U.N. Security Council, European Union and ECOWAS to consider the use of force. » He also stated that, « Mr Gbgabo has got the tanks out … 200 people have fallen under the bullets of Liberian and Angolan mercenaries … the security situation is very worrying. »

By Sara Atteby

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Ouattara to Gbagbo: No Negotiation until he Concedes Defeat

11 décembre 2010 by Sara Atteby

In an interview this week with BBC, the spokesman for Ouattara’s camp, Patrick Achi has said, “We ask [ed: Laurent Gbagbo] to concede defeat, recognize that the president of the Ivory Coast is Alassane Ouattara and once this happens, everything is possible. »

Ouattara refuses « any negotiations » with Laurent Gbagbo, who has himself stated that he is open to dialogue and is ready to negotiate with Ouattara and his party members.

The question remains open as to what will take place next. While a very powerful part of the international community have made clear their support for Ouattara, Gbagbo continues to maintain the support of the national Army.

Ouattara to Gbagbo: No Negotiation until he Concedes Defeat

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Russia Blocks UN Council Statement Against Gbagbo in Ivory Coast Election

4 décembre 2010 by Sara Atteby

The U.N. Security Council failed on Friday to agree to a statement backing Ivory Coast’s opposition presidential candidate Alassane Ouattara as the victor due to objections from Russia, U.N. diplomats said.

« There won’t be anything tonight, » a Western diplomat told Reuters on condition of anonymity. « We’re still working on it. »

Several diplomats said Russia objected to the idea of the council endorsing any candidate.

Source: Reuters

Russia blocks UN statement against Gbabgo

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Election Results: Laurent Gbagbo re-elected President of Ivory Coast

3 décembre 2010 by Sara Atteby

Laurent Gbagbo has been officially re-elected as President of the Republic of Ivory Coast, winning 51.45% of total votes. With a participation rate of 71.28%, Alassane Ouattara won 48,55% of a total of 3 993 209 valid votes.

News from Abidjan and the south is that the population is generally relieved and pleased to have the final result.

On Friday, the 3rd of December at 15:30 GMT the President of the Constitutional Council Mr Paul Yao N’Dré, made a live statement on RTI (Ivorian National Television) announcing the official results of the second round of the Ivory Coast Presidential elections.

Mr Paul Yao N’Dré firstly detailed the irregularities that had taken place during the poll on Sunday, 28^th of November. He said that because of terrible irregularities, serious fraud and acts of violence in some areas, many were prevented from casting their vote.

Legally, there should have been a representative from each of the parties (LMP & RHDP) present at every polling station, but this was not the case in some regions. All these factors meant that many were hindered from exercising their right to vote, which is why the Constitutional Council declared the results in these regions to be annulled.

More information and detailed results will be published as soon as we have them.