Today, when opposition forces reached Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire’s political capital, people came out on the streets to welcome them. Since the opposition now controls several towns in both the west and the east, it seems that the balance is shifting in President-elect Alassane Ouattara’s favor. Still in the works, according to most reports, is a big battle for Abidjan, the coastal city that is the country’s commercial capital. In the meantime, Ouattara, who remains under house arrest in the Golf Hotel in Abidjan, has ordered that a ban on the export of cocoa remain in place-- presumably until former-President Laurent Gbagbo steps down. To put more pressure on Gbagbo the UN Security Council has not only condemned his refusal to concede the election but also imposed new sanctions: I) freezing the foreign assets of Gbagbo, his wife, and top aides; ii) prohibiting them from traveling abroad (1).
The refugee crisis continues amid more reports of violence against civilians in Abidjan (2). Where there has been fighting in the countryside civilians caught between pro-Ouattara and pro-Gbagbo forces have fled to safety as best they can. Earlier this week as many as 10,000 people took shelter in a Catholic mission in Duékoué (a western town captured by pro-Ouattara forces). Pope Benedict XVI is sending Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson (a Ghanaian) to Cote "to encourage reconciliation and peace" (3). Most Christians in this former French colony are Roman Catholic.
ACTIVITIES
DISCUSS: For a good summary of the situation on March 30th see the Al Jazeera article (in Resources). It includes striking photo of a young girl, surrounded by bundles of family belongings--apparently a refugee waiting for transport. You could use it in an elementary classroom to discuss, for example, "What would you take if you had to flee in a hurry?" This discussion could move on to Japanese children displaced from their homes by the earthquake, tsunami, and radiation.
VIEW/CREATE: Students can access the two slideshows (see Resources) and then select photos to create PowerPoint presentations about the situation in Cote d’Ivoire.
READ/DISCUSS: The short article reporting the Pope’s decision to send an envoy, Cardinal Peter Turkson, to Ivory Coast is easy to read and includes a picture of the Cardinal. It is suitable for middle school or even elementary students, especially in a parochial school (where the suffering of Ivorians and the Pope’s concern could be discussed in a Religion class).
FIND OUT MORE: The Guardian slideshow features the humanitarian work of Merlin. Go to this organization’s web site (http://www.merlin.org.uk/content/home-page) to learn about its activities in Ivory Coast and in other countries. (Perhaps a student or a group could do this and report back to the class.)
READ/DISCUSS: Print copies or send students to read online "Ivory Coast’s Conflict and Rwanda’s Genocide: Key Differences." ASK students explain the differences and speculate about how important (or not) these may turn out to be. Probably they will have to access online information about the genocide in Rwanda (the Lynx has not listed such resources so let them explore on their own).
LISTEN/DEBATE: Students listen to Riza Khan’s "counterpoint" program on on Al Jazeera (see Resources) and then discuss/debate such issues as the consequences for the region, the legitimacy of the election, and the alleged motives behind the West’s (in particular France’s) backing of Alassane Ouattara. Speaking from a pro-Ouattara POV, Professor Manthia Diawara admits that in the past he had respected Laurent Gbagbo though now he is disappointed that he is unwilling to give up power for the good of the country. Diawara is a prominent scholar in the field of film studies. Defending Gbagbo’s position, Augustin Douogoui is an advisor to President Gbagbo. How credible are these arguments and counterarguments? Encourage students to EXPLORE other sources and to access up-to-date news as they evaluate what each "expert" is saying. Use an excerpt from the program if you wish to focus on a particular issue.
RESOURCES
"Ouattara Forces Enter Cote d’Ivoire Capital." Al Jazeera English (March 30, 2011): http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/20113301026261416.html
"Crisis in Cote d’Ivoire." Riza Khan: What Do You Think? Al Jazeera English (March 15, 2011; 24:55 mins):
http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/rizkhan/2011/03/20113157578397357.html
- Despite its being recorded two weeks ago this program provides an excellent opportunity to hear a Gbagbo supporter explain the incumbent’s point of view–followed by rebuttal–and counterargument.
SLIDESHOW: "Ivory Coast Rebels Advance." Wall Street Journal (March 30, 2011):
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703461504576230603248561550.html#articleTabs%3Dslideshow
- The related article is behind the WSJ paywall (subscribers only) but the slideshow is free! From the article, access by clicking on tab; or copy URL into browser. A short Reuters video is also available here.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/gallery/2011/mar/30/ivory-coast-refugees-liberia-in-pictures
"International health charity Merlin is delivering emergency healthcare to some of the estimated 100,000 refugees who have fled from Ivory Coast to Liberia. These pictures were taken in Liberia's Grand Gedeh county last week."
"Ivory Coast’s Conflict and Rwanda’s Genocide: Key Differences." Christian Science Monitor (March 29, 2011):
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/Africa-Monitor/2011/0329/Ivory-Coast-s-conflict-and-Rwanda-s-genocide-Key-differences
- This guest blog has links to several other items about Ivory Coast but also includes links to posts discussing the impact of the Libyan uprising on West Africa (scroll down to left-side menu).
Holdren, Alan. "Pope Sends Top Vatican Official to Ivory Coast." Catholic News Agency (March 30, 2011):
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-sends-top-vatican-official-to-ivory-coast/
"President Obama's Message to the People of Cote D'Ivoire. The White House Blog (March 25, 2011):
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/03/25/president-obama-s-message-people-cote-d-ivoire
NOTES
1) "Ouattara Forces Enter Cote d’Ivoire Capital," Al Jazeera English (see Resources). Adam Nossiter, "Opposition Forces in ivory Coast Take Towns on 2 Fronts," New York Times (March 30, 2011); "Opposition Forces in Ivory Coast Enter Capital," New York Times (March 30, 2011): http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/31/world/africa/31ivory.html?partner=rss&emc=rss. Monica mark, "Ivory Coast Rebels Seize Cocoa Hub," Wall Street Journal (March 30, 2011). Pauline Bax, "Ivory Coast Cocoa Export Ban Extended," Bloomberg Business Week (March 30, 2011). Bill Varner, "Ivory Coast’s Gbagbo Hit by UN With Asset Freeze, Travel Ban," Bloomberg (March 30, 2011): http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-30/ivory-coast-s-gbagbo-hit-by-un-with-asset-freeze-travel-ban.html.
2) "Ouattara Forces Enter Cote d’Ivoire Capital" (see note 1); Adam Nossiter (see note 1).
3) As quoted in Adam Nossiter, "Opposition Forces in Ivory Coast Enter Capital" (see note 1). Holdren, Alan. "Pope Sends Top Vatican Official to Ivory Coast," Catholic News Agency (see Resources).
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