Obama: Gbagbo should cede power in Ivory Coast

[oberliner]

Source: CNN

President Barack Obama urged the disputed leader of Ivory Coast to step down to prevent more violence as the nation grapples with postelection clashes that have left hundreds dead.

"Last year's election was free and fair, and President Alassane Ouattara is the democratically elected leader of the nation," Obama said in a video message late Friday.

The west African nation has been embroiled in a political stalemate since incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo refused to step down after November elections.

Election officials and the international community consider Ouattara the rightful winner of the poll.

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/26/ivory.coast.obama/

[tularetom]

1. Oh no, not again

How much oil do they have there?

[robcon]

4. Another regime change?

n/t

[Posteritatis]

7. Turing test failures everywhere! (nt)

[timo]

2. or he will

jack your shit up, because it is now very clear that Obama LIKES to kill people!!! He will tomahawk/drone kill your ass without blinking.

[tcaudilllg]

3. Didn't you hear? His new name is "Obamus Maximus".

[dipsydoodle]

5. Surely a no fly zone is needed first

:sarcasm:

[pampango]

6. Not earth-shattering. Gbagbo lost the elections, refused to leave, now uses the military

to stay in power. Ivory Coast election officials, the UN and practically every country in the world recognizes that Ouattara is the legitimate president.

It would be earth-shattering if Obama said that the US recognizes the election-losing strong man as the legitimate president. Now that would get liberals' juices flowing.

"Obama's message comes after the U.N. Security Council discussed a draft resolution introduced by France and Nigeria on a weapons ban in Abidjan. It also calls for sanctions against Gbagbo and his inner circle."

Sounds like the UN is on the right track. If it is to be anything more than a hot-air exchanging society, this is the kind of situation on which a body representing the world should take a stand. A weapons ban and sanctions against Gbagbo and his cronies is a good step.

[Posteritatis]

8. Yep. Anyone who thinks Gbagbo is the legitimate president knows nothing about this situation. (nt)