Gbagbo’s Forces Repel Bunker Attack

The Ivory Coast leader remains barricaded in his residence.

Wasn’t this supposed to be over by now? Days ago news outlets (including this one) were reporting Laurent Gbagbo was on the verge of finally being dislodged from power, but Thursday the disputed president’s forces repulsed attacks from soldiers loyal to his rival, Alassane Ouattara. Ouattara won the Ivory Coast’s presidential election last November, but Gbagbo has refused to step down, prompting a political standoff that has escalated into violence that has killed at least 400 people. While Gbagbo is completely surrounded, Ouattara’s forces, which are backed by the French military, have yet to capture him or coax him out of his bunker. Also on Thursday, French helicopters rescued Japanese Ambassador Yoshifumi Okamura after Gbagbo’s soldiers stormed the Japanese Embassy.