Ivory coast

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.

Laurent Gbagbo re-elected as President of the Republic of Ivory Coast

By Sara Atteby

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Results of the elections in Ivory Coast: RTI asked to leave the premises of the CEI

30 novembre 2010 by Sara Atteby

It is now confirmed that the press is not welcome in the offices of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) in Abidjan. The national television network RTI, who had taken up residence in the premises of the CEI was asked to leave. The Electoral Commission have declared that they would like to give results to the press itself, instead of presenting the results live in ‘real time’, which is what took place during the first round of elections.

The Ivorian population, who had been promised results this morning, are now wondering what has motivated this decision. Inside the camps of the two protagonists, Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara, supporters are already making claims of fraud.

Clearly the loser of this vote will not easily accept the results of the polls. This bodes social unrest if those responsible do not take accountability for the promises they made on the televised face to face debate on the 25^th November.

IvoireDiaspo is watching for updates and will deliver the latest developments in this case and also the results when available.

IvoireDiaspo.net
Translation by Sara Atteby

RTI asked to leave the premises of the CEI

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Civilised, Courteous and Historic: First ever Televised Debate in Ivory Coast, Gbagbo vs Ouattara

26 novembre 2010 by Sara Atteby

Face a Face Gbagbo Ouattara Thursday 25th November

After the success of the first round of voting, without doubt, this debate is yet another historic victory for the Ivory Coast and for the continent as a whole.

It was disappointing and regrettable that one person died in the prelude to this debate on Friday, and meant that it was all the more important that Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara debated peacefully and with intelligence last night.

Fortunately they did not let us down, reflecting the sentiment of the majority of Ivorians, the discussion was calm and amicable.

Reinforcing the desire for peace in the Ivory Coast before voting begins on Sunday, Gbagbo called on a minute’s silence for all those who lost their lives and suffered during the unrest in the country. Ouattara said, “In the end I know these will be peaceful elections, just like the first round.”

Gbagbo also announced a 10pm curfew after Sunday’s poll saying, “I have to say that I am worried when I see the tense atmosphere and the mood and therefore, we are taking the appropriate measures.” Ouattara replied with a smile, “I think that out of courtesy, Laurent, you could have phoned me to tell me that.”

In response to the question: are you willing to accept the result, Gbagbo answered, “It is important that the one who wins, wins and the one who loses, loses” and Ouattara replied, “I will accept the results. I have said it. I am repeating it.”

Foreign press responded to the debate with the following headlines:

France 24 (TV in English): “After the acrimony, rivals face off cordially in TV debate”

Reuters (English): “Ivorian rivals soothe hostility in polite TV debate”

Walf Fadjri (FR): “Face to Face TV Gbagbo – Ouattara: A big first for Africa”

L’Express (FR): “Gbagbo and Ouattara calm the game, close vote in Côte d’Ivoire”

www.lequotidien.sn (FR): “Ivorian presidential televised debate between the 2 candidates: Gbagbo announced a curfew on election night, Ouattara calls for calm”

TF1 (FR): “Côte d’Ivoire: One dead before Sunday’s election”

RFI (English): “One dead in clashes ahead of Côte d’Ivoire vote”

By Sara Atteby

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Election campaign begins again: Gbagbo vs Ouattara live TV debate: A Victory for Democracy

22 novembre 2010 by Sara Atteby

The very first ever televised face à face political debate in the history of the Ivory Coast is planned to take place on Thursday this week, the 25^th November 2010 at 21:00 GMT, (according to the Conseil national de la communication audiovisuelle – cnca).

Local press have said that this debate will be a victory for democracy in the Ivory Coast. It will be broadcast live on the national TV channel RTI, who have scheduled over two hours air time for this historic event.

The remaining two candidates in the 2^nd round of elections, Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara began their campaigns across the nation once more at midnight on the 20^th of November.

Polling stations will be open at 7am on the 28^th of November for the 2^nd and final round of the Ivorian Presidential Election.

By Sara Atteby

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Laurent Gbagbo: Presidential Candidate Profile for Ivory Coast 2010 Election

11 novembre 2010 by Sara Atteby

Laurent Koudou GBAGBO
Also known as « LG »
(born 31 May 1945) 65 years old

Website: www.gbagbo.ci
Contact: lr.gbagbo@gmail.com

Representing the FPI (Ivorian Popular Front) as part of the LMP (The Presidential Majority – 14 united political parties supporting Gbagbo’s policies) in 2010 Presidential Elections in the Ivory Coast.

Statement
(French version: http://www.gbagbo.ci/gbagbo_documents.asp?view=1269.html&titre=PRESIDENTIELLE_2009_-_LAURENT_GBAGBO_:_)

I am a candidate because I have a project of development and modernization for our country. I want to make the social reforms that I have initiated successful. You know my ambitions for the Ivory Coast. I have expressed these throughout my political career. A man must stand by his word. A man who is a man, who takes responsibility with determination in his actions, must act; and act according to what he has decided. I have nothing but honour. And I try to live and fight without hate. I strive to live and fight without harm.

That is why I walk, and go further and further forever!
Forward! Come election!

Laurent Gbagbo

(Translation by Sara Atteby)

Work History

2000 – Now: President of the Republic of the Ivory Coast (Sworn in 26^th October 2000)

1996 – 2000: President of the FPI (Ivorian Popular Front)

1988 – 1996: Secretary General of the FPI (Ivorian Popular Front)

1982 – 1988: Voluntary exile in France

1980 – 1982: Director of the IHAAA

1974 – 1980: Researcher at the Institute of African History, Art and Archeology (IHAAA) at the University of Abidjan

Mar. 1971 – Jan. 1973: Arrested for leading demonstrations and imprisoned in Séguéla and Bouaké military camps

1970: Teacher of Geographic History at Lycée Classique in Abidjan

Education
1979: University of Paris VII – Denis Diderot PHD
1969: University of Abidjan Bachelor of History

Family
Currently married to Simone Ehivet GBAGBO: Holds a PhD in Oral Literature and is Vice President of the FPI (Ivorian Popular Front), Member of Parliament of ABOBO and General Secretary of CNRD (National Congress of the Resistance for Democracy). She has two children from a previous marriage.

First wife: Jaqueline Chanoos, with whom he had two children, Koudou Michel and Gado Lea.

Together, Laurent and Simone Gbagbo also had two children, Gado Marie-Patrice, Popo Marie-Laurence.

Religion
Roman Catholic, his wife Simone Ehivet Gbagbo, is an Evangelical Christian.

Representation in the Diaspora:
United Kingdom: JFPI-UK