USA Africa Dialogue Series - The Noose Is Tightening Around Gbagbo's Neck

I will not be surprised should the Cote d'Ivorian army take Gbagbo out, and very soon, as it, too, is feeling the heat. Actually the EU has imposed the sanctions, the AU has suspended Cote d'Ivoire, more international pressure is being applied, and Gbago is complaining that his army is being wooed by foreign powers. See more stories below.

EU poised to impose sanctions on Ivory Coast

(AP) – 6 hours ago

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) — The European Union will impose sanctions on Ivory Coast unless the incumbent president recognizes his rival as the winner of last month's election, officials said Monday, as panic spread in Abidjan after shots were briefly fired.

An EU official said the bloc's foreign ministers had agreed to freeze the assets and impose a visa ban on anyone blocking the inauguration of Alassane Ouattara as the country's new president.

Ouattara's electoral win was certified by the United Nations, yet both he and incumbent Laurent Gbagbo have claimed victory and taken oaths of office. Ouattara has been recognized as the legal president by the U.S., the EU, former colonial ruler France and the African Union.

The EU official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with standing regulations, said the measures would be implemented if Ouattara is prevented from assuming office. The most immediate effect of any sanctions would be the withholding of some euro255 million ($340 million) in EU development aid.

In Abidjan, security forces loyal to Ouattara fired into the air Monday after approaching soldiers loyal to Gbagbo, sparking panic that their rivalry had turned to open conflict.

Prime Ministerial spokesman Meite Sindou, who belongs to Ouattara's government, says the forces had been sent to remove a roadblock that had been set up by soldiers loyal to Gbagbo. Sindou says that no one was hurt in the brief altercation.

The election was supposed to bring stability to the West African country, which used to be one of the most prosperous on the continent until its economy was destroyed by a brief 2002-2003 civil war. But the uncertainty following the disputed presidential election has prompted fears of renewed violence.

Lekic reported from Brussels, Belgium.

Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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