Power crisis in Côte d'Ivoire - Clash of National and International Narratives

Abstract

Since the beginning of December 2010, there have been two presidents of the republic (Laurent Gbagbo, Alassane Ouattara), two governments, and two armed forces in Ivory Coast. Pro and contra demonstrations and armed clashes are taking place in the Abobo district of Abidjan and in the western part of the country, but the Tunisian “Jasmine Revolution” proclaimed by the Ouattara camp has not led to any results here. In the past three months, almost seven hundred people have lost their lives as a result of the spreading violence, and tens of thousands have fled to neighboring countries. Banks have closed, banks have been nationalized, and the US and the EU are imposing various sanctions on the Gbagbo camp and the country.