Ivory Coast

Since the 2002, there has been a civil war within the Western-African nation, Ivory Coast.  President Laurent Gbagbo refused to step down, neglecting his promise of declarations made by the United Nations, the African Union, the United States, and the European Union that he had been decisively defeated by former prime minister, Alassane Ouattara.  Ouattara was declared the winner by a nine point margin. But a day later, a close ally of the president threw out votes from scattered parts of the north. Outtara held most of the votes in the north, thus a problem in the election. Thus, with such complications a civil war broke out.

 At the end of March 2011, forces supporting Outtara reached the far parts of Abidjan, and the battle for the presidency began. Gbagbo troops were falling from east to west; Outtara forces surrounded the president’s house in April. Hundreds have been killed since the election and attacks on civilians are frequent. Women protested with branches which were meant to symbolize peace; they were greeted by opposing forces and were mowed down in by machine guns.

What can we, as Americans, at home, do for these people to stop the oppression and wrong doing? Raise awareness, and keep everyone you know informed. And as Christians, we can pray for them and if the situation presents itself, help with aid.