Alert!

Côte d'Ivoire Crisis

International Implication

The events in Côte d'Ivoire pose a challenge to the newly formed Africa Union (AU) whose insistence on good governance and democracy cannot be over-emphasized. After Madagascar, here again is another challenge, which explains the presence of the chairman of AU, President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa during the ECOWAS extraordinary summit. This is the first test for the AU and the world's expectations are high.

A further development worth noting, has been the military cooperation between France and the United States. Relations between the two have always been seen as conflicting in their quest for spheres of influence in Africa. The French were the first to arrive at the scene and evacuated hundreds of American students from The International School in Bouaké. The two nations are pursuing their evacuation mission. Ordinary Ivorians are asking why these nations cannot proceed and halt the the rebellion?

This is an opportunity to nip the rebellion in its bud given the Ivorian inability to face the rebels. With the huge economic interests in Côte d'Ivoire, what else can the "gendarme of the world do than to prove worth in the face what is seemingly another reckless war in Africa?