Luck them Ivorians.There is no railway line from Kenya to Abidjan.

Much as I would like our compatriot to succeed in this noble mission, it is my considered opinion that he is not doing enough homework to understand why the two opposing parties are digging in deeper by day. The situation is getting very delicate each day and if a settlement is not realized soonest, it could degenerate into another civil war. Do I need to remind you that it is still fresh in the minds of Gbagbo's supporters that RAO is pro-Outtara.

@njore, @skabz, Raila has been sent by AU which is already biased towards Ouattara

some truth there, remember by contrast how much we looked forward to Annan, and literaly didnt want him to go until the principal Mpigs declared a truce.

i keep getting the feeling that that issue of the 3m Burkinabe immigrants in key to understanding Outarra's huge support...its like the bedrock of Outtara's votes/ support came from the Burkinabe who the ordinary Ivorians don't like and therefore perceive as a Burkinabe preso coming to run their (ivorians) country. its like a tug of war between hosts and immigrant communities. Just a thought.

@gizzard, my exact sentiments. 2m nigerians, 3m burkinabe. Watara hatoboi

My hope is that all ends well for the well being of the citizens of that country. No huma being needs this kind of stress.

as well he is, gbagbo lost fair and square, he should not even be pampered by anyone, AENDEEE!! what "confrontation" are you talking about, another counrty cannot afford to go the KENYAN way, kibaki lost and he stayed, mugabe lost and he stayed, eish kwani nini? gbagbo must go! kabisa i dont even know why he is still being pampered like a small kid!! ABK!

Rao was certainly not the right choice for mediation, but for eviction of gabgo because that is what he had already said he stood for.

But then again i think he offered himself for the job before the vacancy details was anounced- yes i believe that was the case.

On the other hand the situation needed a strongman. Remember mediation has been going on several years already, that actually culminated in the elections.

I shudder to think where ICoast would have been by now without the international community in the form of UN peacekeepers. And one KM is now going around that Africa doesnt need the wider international community.

The CIvoire "foreign" population just complicates the equation too much.

Kenyans are a very interesting lot! These are the only species of people on earth who can oppose one of their own when he/she gets an international appointment.


What wrong has Raila done for being asked by AU to go and mediate? Please be realistic and objective in your criticisms. He was appointed by the AU to articulate the AU position on the crisis. The AU and the rest of the World has never pretended to be neutral in this matter - they all hold that Gbagbo lost the election, and Raila was picked precisely because he shared that position. The position has not changed, so Raila remains the AU rep there.

Most here are pretending to know more about diplomacy than the AU who certified him fit for the job. Bravo Kenyans ...who will save you from this terrible disease?

@Spend.thrift, I understand your drift but it can't work in (Cote d'Ivoire (CI) because the dynamics are so fundamentally different!

In Tunisia there was resentment over the political class's excesses/opulence, corruption (the preso's son-in-law even had a pet lion) in a sea of widespread suffering of the common pips as represented by the veggie hawker who set himself on fire coz of frustration he couldn't sustain himself. So it was people vs the system -a kinda class war.
But in CI it is host communities (personified by Gbagbo) pitted against the ascencion to power of the immigrant communities (personified by Outtara) that have settled in the country. It has really nothing to do with the 2 men, just who they each represent. Its the undercurrents of deep-seated and long running resentment of immigrants that has come to the surface.

Its a dangerous politico-social quagmire, and Gbagbo would actually be risking his life if he abdicates power, juu his own folks will butcher him. Ditto Outtara.
If the 2 communities can't make up soon - I fear civil strife,and it to be a regional conflagration as neighbouring states like Burkina Faso become drawn into the conflict as they can't be expected to just watch as their citizens who migrated to CI (and who have elected Outtara) are butchered.
May Ecowas/ Ecomog step in fast. My God help W.Africa.