Now here is a yank who seems to have learned something during his time in Africa.
US envoy cautions against power sharing in Ivory Coast
Simple and self evident... but not to Washington, Paris and London it seems.``Because what power sharing does is that it enables a big man who has lost an election to remain in power, and from that perspective this is a particularly sensitive time in Africa.
``The spread of power sharing may well tempt those who lose those elections to try to either somehow hang onto power or gain power or (even) some options of power.
``Power sharing is undemocratic,’’
Hey JMA,
Actually that yank you're referring to has a lot of (recent) history, and not that great a history, both at home and especially abroad.
Limited understanding
“appears to take delight in inciting instability in Nigeria with his entire thesis based on a worst case scenario and seeming relish in willing it to occur.
Former US Ambassador advocates Military Rule for Nigeria
that military intervention could indeed be a “positive” for the country.
John Campbell Is Wrong On Nigeria Again
Wikileaks anyoneif Mr. Campbell’s primary motive was centered around helping Nigeria avert chaos, he would have sent his concerns along with appropriate recommendations to the Nigerian authorities. In a situation where the Nigerian authorities ignore him, he could have privately made same recommendations to the US State department to address his Nigerian concerns.
However, he might actually entertain your "3 Cruise Missile theory"
Regards, Stan
If you want to blend in, take the bus
Hi Stan, Not to detract from how on the button I believe he is with regard to Ivory Coast I note that his predictions for Nigeria (contained in a book) are what has upset some Nigerians.
Upsetting the Nigerian Foreign Minister and a Nigerian blogger into critical responses (to his ideas) is hardly evidence of wholesale condemnation of what he writes/predicts.
Consider that Nigeria with its North/South Muslim/Christian divide is in reality just a larger version of Ivory Coast with the larger potential for calamity.
Well the body count is at 210 and all we are getting is talk, talk, talk (and some behind the scenes pressure). Lets wait and see.However, he might actually entertain your "3 Cruise Missile theory"
Within a BBC report, which refers to;This gem, which I've not seen reported before:UN peacekeepers in Ivory Coast are sending a request to the Security Council for 1,000 to 2,000 more troops amid the continuing political crisis.I'd only seen reports that the UN were providing security.Foreign Minister Alcide Djedje said The Ivorian army feels it cannot tolerate that 300 heavily armed soldiers from the former rebellion should be in the hotel. If the soldiers go, the blockade will be lifted...The north of the country is controlled by the New Forces, the former rebel movement that supports Mr Ouattara.
Link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12123607
davidbfpo
Then there's this option "Ouattara called Thursday for an operation by west African special forces to kidnap Gbagbo."The government of Côte d'Ivoire's incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo has ordered the expulsion of the British and Canadian ambassadors because they do not recognise ambassadors appointed by Gbagbo. Presidential claimant Alassane Ouattara meanwhile called for a west African sting operation against Gbagbo.
"Legitimate force doesn't mean a force against Ivorians," he said. "It's a force to remove Laurent Gbagbo and that's been done elsewhere, in Africa and in Latin America, there are non-violent special operations which allow simply to take the unwanted person and take him elsewhere."
If you want to blend in, take the bus
Hey JMA,
Agreed, and I did provide some weak links to support my theories regarding our Administrations' amateur Africanists
However, a tour or two and later a self-proclaimed expert on the region worries me; be it military and/or civilian. They are flattering themselves at best and simultaneously showing our inept ability to comprehend African politics.
Too many from my days and second guessing your African political opponents with ca 1970s studies can only lead us to an ineffective policy for engagements in the most important Francophone country in the region.
The US might have had the last word with Charles Taylor, but we don't have a hope or prayer here. IMO the current administration still doesn't get the internal dynamics of the Ivory Coast and West Africa.
Regards, Stan
If you want to blend in, take the bus
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