For four long months, Laurent Gbagbo refused to cede power to the newly elected president, Alassane Ouattara. The United Nations approved the election in November 2011 and Ouattara won by 54%. However, Gbagbo claimed the results were manipulated, gathered his forces, and began fighting for power. The roots of Gbagbo’s anger may stem from the unsettled political, religious, and economic issues from the civil war of 2002. Nevertheless, Gbagbo’s troops pillaged villages, took control of major cities, murdered and raped citizens, and seized the cocoa export industry.
On April 9, 2011, the Department of State issued a press statement, heavily reprimanding Gbagbo’s actions, and calling his attempt at negotiations a “ruse” to establish a plan of action. The release mentions twice that he was not legally elected president and that he should respect the citizens of the Cote de’Ivoire.
As of yesterday, after months of fighting and upheaval and with the help of France, the 10 year ruler of the Ivory Coast was arrested. In the daily briefing, the Acting Deputy Department Spokesman, Mr. Mark Toner, demands that Gbagbo is held accountable for his horrendous actions and stresses a peaceful, democratic transition.
The media has been constantly covering this issue for the entire four months. In 2010 there was a wide spectrum of issues involving Gbagbo including: following the former President’s actions such as ordering the United Nations out of the Ivory Coast, his refusal to leave from power, tracking the movements of his militants, pressure of a strike in the cocoa industry, and human rights violations.
In 2011, the press coverage the issue much more as violence mounted. Mainstream media covered the issues in print, broadcast, radio, and social media forms. Articles were written about the involvement of France and a call for more sanctions, the Ivory Coast’s colonial power, the protection and decisions of the rightful President Ouattara, the growing number of exiles and dead, and the fear of a complete civil war.
At last, the end to this bloody issue is in sight with the arrest of Laurent Gbagbo and the assumption of power by Alassane Ouattara. As African countries and the European Union come together to help the country, we can only hope a peaceful democracy is restored.
Media & Messages 