Fragile Future of Ivory Coast

After spending 2 days in Abidjan, it was obvious immediately there is a new tension here not present or even felt as much in places like Togo or Benin. As I slowly started to realise the nature of the tensions it became increasingly obvious there are "No Go" areas in the capital and times not to travel.

I thought back to my arrival at the airport, when my Ivorian contact commented about my Hotel "La Licorne" that is was a French run establishment and had many French visitors, so if there was any trouble the French Army would be there immediately to ensure evacuation. I didn't think about it at first, thinking this was just a little OTT. (Over the top). Then I turned the news on the same evening and watched news shots of the Transport Ministers burnt down house and heard the account of the rioting mobs who had attacked him and his gaurds...the news went onto interview a very angry citizenship at the governement. A toxic waste issue has been a catalyst for raised tensions see link ...Chronicle News

Just 20 months ago, French citizens were fleeing the country due to indiscriminate attacks on whites...see link BBC News

In the hotel I met a humanitarian worker (the rest is best left anonymous), she confirmed my Ivorian friends concerns and enlarged on attrocities (present day not readily publicised) at the hand of the forces of the present incumbent president, and that he had boycotted the planned peace process meeting update on some weak grounds ...see link Voice of America

In the airport I met a Liberian refugee trying to make money by marketing a new travel agency, I was at the airport early so we sat and talked about life and God and about Abidjan and life in Liberia. (He'd been a refugee for 15 years, watched his father murdered in the rebel attrocities back then and still a refugee under UN protection here in Cote D'Ivoire) He was a broken man in his late 30's or early 40's. My heart went out to him, he had dignity. And then he said something..."I saw the bodies of 2 babies floating in the Koumasi (A suburb of Abidjan) canal this week!"

I hope Mr Gbagbo is convicted that a peaceful and open route is the only way to help the people of Cote D'Ivoire reach democracy..