IVORY COAST IN FOR PEACE AT LAST

Ivory Coast has finally been saved from the ruthless rule of a despondent ruler Laurent Gbago by the citizens and French and NATO troops. Gbago who had lost the elections held on was clinging to power with the connivance of his army men and he let loose ruthless suppression of people owing allegiance to the winner in the elections Ansanne Outtara from the very day citizens started revolting against Gbago. In the rebellion that followed Gbago’s forces massacred hundreds of people. It was kind of ethnic clashes which the entire world watched.
Finally after the mighty revolt of the citizens with the intervention of French and NATO troops Laurent Gbago ran for cover and found a safe haven in a military bunker. But that was of no use, he was finally spotted and captured bringing an end to months of bloodshed.
Till then the would-be ruler Ansanne Outtara who was forced to suffer under Laurent Gbago finally sensed victory and captured power and occupied the saddle at the capital city Abidjan.
With Outtara occupying the saddle of President of Ivory Coast and Gbago being put behind bars, the entire Ivory Coast tasted calmness.
Now that Outtara is in power he has made his position clear. With respect to his attitude towards a subdued Gbago. Outtara declared that he wouldn’t adopt a stand of vendetta against Gbago.
He has declared his intention of setting up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) like that of South Africa set up by its first President Nelson Mandela under which all who were responsible for bringing Ivory Coast to such a pass will be made accountable.
The recent developments in the Middle East and North African nations (MENA) – the revolt against the dictators and their expulsion must surely have served as catalyst for the citizens of Ivory Coast the courage to adhere to rise in revolt against the arrogant despot Laurent Gbago and continue the revolt till he was thrown out of power.
Anyhow the dictator wreaked havoc by gunning to death hundreds and hundreds of revolters and dump them in deep wells and bushes and faraway places. The Dioula tribe owing allegiance to Gbago massacred more than four hundred people who were steadfast behind Ansanne Outtara. The officials of UN Human Rights Council while on their search for the enormity of massacre could sense the stench of death emanating from the deep wells and nearby places.
It is heartening that with the overthrow of Laurent Gbago and assumption of power by a democrat Ansanne Outtara, the chain of massacres have ended and Ivory Coast is back to normality after months of turmoil.
Ivory Coast is a rich country with a robust infrastructure anyhow as one expert on the nation has written the European Nations should continue to help ‘jumpstart economy and extend humanitarian relief’.