PRIME NAMES MAGAZINE

The drums of war and its centrics are gradually making place around Ivory Coast.

The protagonists and antagonists are all hedged against each other in what seems like an issue accompli.

Laurent Gbagbo who the world accused of usurpation of power in Ivory Coast after losing the country’s general election is determined to stay in power at all cost.

Gbagbo is testing the resolve of  determined international forces led by the Economic Community of West Africa States to remove him from power.

          Last week, the presumed winner of that election, and internationally recognised President of that country, Mr.Alassane Quattara offered an amnesty to him, should he peacefully step down from office by weekend. Before that offer, members of the West African regional economic bloc had offered an asylum to him in any of the neighbouring countries of his choice. Gbagbo had turn down all these entreaties to get him out without spilling of innocent blood in the streets of Abidjan.

 With all elucidated options for peace almost exhausted and patience wearying thin, war seems the only way to resolve the political imbroglio.

 

Laurent Gbagbo, is a despotic President. He really thinks that Ivory Coast belongs to him and his family.

He must not be left to stay a day longer than required by Ecomog.

Let me tell you one thing about Ivory Coast now. Gbagbo and his supporters are going about inciting ethnic hatred hoping to escalated the situation should war break out. For me, he is scrupling the ravages of his corrupt days in power. I think he has come to the end of the road now.

I want to invite the Ecomog Now. We need to push this man out fast, fast.

Ecomog should make sure that all avenues for peaceful settlement of this problem are exhausted.

Africans has seen enough war. There is no joy in seeing brothers fighting brothers in a war that should have been avoided if we have the right leaders. That Gbagbo has brought us to this length means that Africans has a lot of work to do. In this modern era, when all races are working to modernize their nations, Africans are been dragged into unnecessary war by an idiotic, selfish individual because he wants to rule by all means.

I have no sympathy for him. Let them smoke him out. But innocent civilians should not be made to pay for this.

Nigeria should exercise maximum restraint in this case because this is internal affaires of a sovereign nation. There is also the need for President Goodluck Jonathern to be cautious, given the spate of bombings in the country. Another issue is that this is an election year in Nigeria. It is hard to say that Nigeria will be hundred percent ready to go to war in Ivory Coast when all that is needed is to mobilize all available resources for a successful peaceful and fair election in our country.

I have no doubt that Laurent Gbagbo needs to be shown the way out. But we must put things in proper perspective by not chasing the rat while our house is burning.

 

 

If Ecomog should remove Gbagbo, then Ivory Coast, under Quattara, the United States of America, the European Union and France must provide part of the resources needed to do this. This must not be left for Nigeria or the Ecomog members  alone.

 

 

Let me tell Nigeria that peace is necessary not war in this matter. Nigeria is going to hold its own election shortly, who will correct things in Nigeria when things go wrong?

Ecomog is Nigeria and Nigeria is Ecomog. So Nigeria should respect itself. They should not lord themselves over other smaller African countries. Peace must be given a chance.