(Incumbent President) Gbagbo orders peacekeepers to leave Ivory Coast

[Turborama]

Source: BBC

Incumbent Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo has demanded that all foreign peacekeepers leave the country immediately, escalating a dispute over last month's presidential election.

His spokesperson accused UN and French troops of colluding with former rebels.

The UN and major powers have recognised Mr Gbagbo's rival, Alassane Ouattara, as the winner of the 28 November poll. Mr Gbagbo insists he has won. Mr Ouattara is currently under UN protection at a hotel in Abidjan.

In a statement read on national television on Saturday, government spokeswoman Jacqueline Oble said Mr Gbagbo had "requested the immediate departure of the Onuci and the French forces supporting it".

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12028263

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Q&A: Ivory Coast election crisis
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11916590

[nyy1998]

1. What a shame, the Ivory Coast was considered one of the few African success stories and

now it's all gone to hell over the course of a few years. :-(

[iandhr]

2. can they refuse

since there election observes said the other guy won.

[Posteritatis]

5. Since the guy isn't the recognized winner he can't withdraw consent for them in the first place. nt

[bemildred]

3. UN to stay in Ivory Coast despite Gbagbo demand

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) — The United Nations warned against attacks on its personnel in Ivory Coast and said it would stay after the man who refuses to give up the presidency ordered thousands of peacekeepers to get out and defied an EU deadline Sunday for stepping down.

The European Union was giving Laurent Gbagbo until the end of the weekend to concede defeat or face sanctions that would include an assets freeze and a visa ban on him and his wife. The U.N. Security Council is also expected to meet Monday to discuss Ivory Coast's political crisis.

Still, experts say there are few strong options for forcing Gbagbo out of office, and it is unlikely the African Union or others would back a military intervention.

"The trouble is both sides are clearly preparing now for conflict, and a cornered Gbagbo shows little sense of the national tragedy unfolding through his brinkmanship," said Alex Vines, head of the Africa program at Chatham House, an independent research center in London.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i9r2iOudMljcx737afRqPRfLFfbQ?docId=8ad46837e7de4ee5b62f9f47c7320d46

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. 'Hundreds abducted' in Ivory Coast election unrest - UN

Hundreds of people in Ivory Coast are reported to have been abducted from their homes since last month's disputed election, the UN says.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights says some of the assailants wore military uniforms and there is evidence of "massive" human rights violations.

More than 50 people have died in violence in recent days, she adds.
...
On Thursday, at least 20 people were killed as Mr Ouattara's backers tried to march on the headquarters of state TV and clashed with troops loyal to Mr Gbagbo.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12034391