Weakened Gbagbo faces final showdown
Army chief, police, generals, desert
Ivory Coast strongman Laurent Gbagbo, cornered in Abidjan by rival forces, faced being forcibly ousted yesterday as he missed a deadline set by recognised leader Alassane Ouattara to cede power.
The economic capital was on tenterhooks with residents fearing clashes as night fell and a 1900 GMT deadline set for Mr Gbagbo to resign came and went.
After 10 years in power, and four months spent clinging to a presidency the world says he lost, Mr Gbagbo, deserted by his army chief, police and generals, faced a final showdown as Mr Ouattara’s army encircled the capital.
“Laurent Gbagbo must step down to avoid a bloodbath. Hopefully he will or we will go and fetch him,” Mr Ouattara’s prime minister Guillaume Soro said in a telephone interview from Yamoussoukro.
He said if Mr Gbagbo did not resign “we will go and fetch him and he will face international prosecution.”
As the deadline passed the situation remained unclear.
The United States called on Mr Gbagbo to accept the ultimatum, saying it was awaiting to hear whether he will address the nation.
“We are looking forward to him taking an action that is in the best interests of the people of Cote D’Ivoire by avoiding war and stepping down and honouring the results of the election,” a White House spokesman said using the country’s French name.
As Mr Gbagbo’s regime appeared to crumble, UN peacekeepers took over the airport and Mr Ouattara urged soldiers to join his army.
“There is still time to join your brothers. The country is calling you,” said Mr Ouattara, who has been unable to take power since being elected in November, leading to a bloody crisis which has left 494 people dead, according to the UN.
Mr Gbagbo’s army chief and key ally General Philippe Mangou fled to the South African ambassador’s residence with his wife and five children, and a UN envoy reported police and gendarmes had deserted the embattled leader.