Laurent Gbagbo

Around President Laurent Gbagbo is a hard core which is fiercely opposed to the Marcoussis peace accord and firmly convinced of the truth of Pastor Moïse Koré's assertion that opposition leader Alassane Ouattara is the devil incarnate...

Alpha Condé has substantial support among the Malinké but his backing of President Laurent Gbagbo despite attacks on Guineans in Côte d'Ivoire has created a rebellion within RPG ranks...

The festive ambiance was somewhat overshadowed by the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire despite furious French efforts to secure a peace deal before the summit but President Laurent Gbagbo wasn't there to hear President Jacques Chirac explicitly condemn the death squads and threaten war crimes prosecutions (AC Vol 44 No 3)...

President Laurent Gbagbo is now fatally weakened unable even to muster a public explanation of the Marcoussis accord...

President Laurent Gbagbo who is not at the talks proposed a peace plan which included three referendums: on eligibility conditions for the presidency on land ownership rights and on the conditions for nationality and citizenship a cumbersome scheme that would keep the electorate busy until Gbagbo's term ends in late 2005...

It is not clear how much President Laurent Gbagbo is in charge or how long he will last...

Apart from Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo those causing most concern include Togo's President Gnassingbé Eyadéma (who has promised to stand down next year but does everything to prepare for another term) and Guinea's President Lansana Conté Congo-Brazzaville's Denis Sassou Nguesso Central African Republic's Ange-Félix Patassé and Burkina Faso's Blaise Compaoré...

Unpopular in Paris Paris doesn't like President Laurent Gbagbo but is obliged to support him as elected leader...

Some known as the Zinzin (crazy ones) and Bahéfouê (sorcerers) are soldiers recruited into the army by former military leader General Robert Gueï who had been resisting President Laurent Gbagbo's efforts to demobilise them...

Côte d'Ivoire is in danger of fragmenting on ethnic lines as efforts to put down an army mutiny turn into an all-out assault on immigrants and on opponents of President Laurent Gbagbo...