Photo: UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz As French President Nicolas Sarkozy joined the international consensus that opposition leader Alassane Ouattara has won Côte d'Ivoire's presidential elections, the European Union hinted that the United Nations Security Council will take steps against President Laurent Gbagbo if he refuses to step down.
The French government-funded international news channel, France 24, reported Saturday that Sarkozy had told reporters in India, where he is on a state visit, that Ouattara's victory was "indisputable".
"There is an elected president in Ivory Coast," Sarkozy said. "The entire international community has recognized him."
He also called on civilian and military officials in Ivory Coast to "respect the wishes of the people and avoid any actions that could provoke violence," France 24 reported.
Sarkozy's statement followed similar declarations from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the White House in Washington, DC, and the European Union (EU).
In a statement issued Friday, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton, joined Ban in congratulating Ouattara "on his victory."
She also called on "all parties to the electoral process to respect the will of the people and accept the results of the electoral process..."
She also noted "the Security Council's readiness to take appropriate measures against those who obstruct the peace process, and especially the work of the Independent Electoral Commission."
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France and the US should be completely ignored. It is the same US and their ALLIES that said "they have no friends only interests and that they had no interests in Rwanda and went in and took away to safety their citizens and allowed the genocide in that country that are talking now. Where was the UN when Rwanda was destroyed? They called away their troops save for the African contigents who in Loyalty to the continent ignored the order to pull out and stayed back to help? WE HEAR THEM LOUD AND CLEAR!!! They have interests in Cote d'Ivoire. THAT IS THE SIMPLE TRUTHS. They have their countries' interests and not that of Ivorians, that is why they are messing up that country. They should be ignored totally. Let African nations solve the problem. THE FRENCH ARMY OF OCCUPATION IN IVORY COAST MUST BE FORCED TO LEAVE. FRANCE SHOULD BE FORCED TO REMOVE HER TROOPS SO THAT THAT AFRICAN NATION CAN TRULY BECOME A SOVEREIGN INDEPENDENT STATE!!!!
We CONCORD; as long as those colonials armies are in any Africa Countries - that particular Africa country is still consider as a colony. Therefore, Africa must stop being seeing in the eyes of the colonials as a colony and a preditory states: meaning, we "Africans and Africa" should keep allowing them to continue to exploit us in all aspects. The merefact that their militaries are in any Africa states; that alone, is exploitative foundation.
Bravo, Sarkozy; we salute you for your comment. It is about time this foolish and senseless African leader ( L. Gbargbo ) listen and respect the wishes of the Ivorian people. Gbargbo, If you behave like Samuel Doe flies will carry the news. I know you and Doe are from the same region with the same crazy ideal. Get out of there before the world move on you. I say Sarkozy, thanks for your effort; do not stop there, help us get this monster out before the christmas. Ivorian, before this Christmas, president elect Mr. Ouattara will be in office, with some new faces in government.