UN Imposes Sanctions on Ivory Coast

The potential for civil war in the country is growing as President Laurent Gbagbo continues to resist calls to step down.

With the world’s attention focused on Libya, the situation in the Ivory Coast continues to simmer dangerously; periodic outbursts of violence are threatening to plunge the nation back into civil war. President Laurent Gbagbo has refused to recognize the results of last November’s election, which international observers say was won by his rival Alassane Ouattara. Wednesday, the UN Security Council voted to impose sanctions on Gbagbo and his inner circle, freezing their assets and slapping them with a travel ban. The resolution also demands he step down. Twenty-five people were killed on March 17 when Gbagbo loyalists fired mortars into a market, and earlier in the month seven women were gunned down at a peaceful demonstration in support of Ouattara.