Cote d'Ivoire, the world's largest producer of cocoa and Libya, the world's 13th largest exporter of crude oil are both embroiled in conflicts that have led to the deaths of many civilians, but the world appears to have chosen to pay more attention to one than the other.
The two countries have sit tight leaders who will do anything to remain in power despite the obvious signs that their people no longer desire their leadership. Laurent Gbagbo of Cote d'Ivoire, who lost an election last year and has refused to hand over power to the elected and internationally recognised Alassane Ouattara, has turned brutal with forces loyal to him, killing protesters in Abidjan last week and edging the country closer to civil war.
A large number of refugees are already spreading across the sub region as they flee the country. Yet the international community has remained docile in dealing with Mr Gbagbo, focusing instead on Libya, understandably owing to its asset: crude oil.
The price of crude oil has fluctuated since the escalation of violence in the North African country, a huge risk to the global economy which is just pulling out of a global financial crisis. But the lack of concentrated attention on Cote d'Ivoire is becoming more risky, as Mr Gbagbo appears more recalcitrant by the day.
Just yesterday, he banned the United Nations and French peacekeeping aircraft from flying over or landing in Cote d'Ivoire and made it clear that he will not agree to any negotiations that demand his stepping aside. Mr. Gbagbo's grandstanding is coming just as Mr. Ouattara left the country for the Ethiopian capital where the Africa Union (AU) is reported to be holding talks on forming a government of national unity to address the crisis. The assumption is that the flight ban is a ploy to prevent the return of Mr. Ouattara, who left the hotel he has been held up in for the first time in the last two months.
Mr. Gbagbo's foreign minister, Alcide Djedje, boldly told reporters at the end of the meeting on Thursday that, "We will never accept if the proposal is for President Gbagbo to step down because he is the elected leader of Cote d'Ivoire". He further hinted at signs of returning the country to civil war, stating that "If this initiative doesn't come out with irrefutable and pertinent propositions, we fear that the AU, somehow, will contribute to what the rebels started in 2002," referring to the 2002-2003 civil war that split the country in two.
Why would a leader not wanted by his people be engaged in such grandstanding? Mr Gbagbo is apparently taking advantage of the international community's attention on the country that lubricates the global economy, while he carries on with his brutality.
While Muammar Gaddafi launches attacks on his people and the rebels already controlling parts of his country, the US is positioning its military ships on alert. Meanwhile, nothing is being done for Cote d'Ivoire, where protesting women were shot at.
The African media has also proven incompetent in reporting the crisis going on right in their midst. The catastrophe in Libya is getting major slots and headlines, while Cote d'Ivoire has been relegated to the background.
As the African Union sets about negotiating a government of national unity, sending a wrong signal to African leaders who are renowned for never willing to leave power, we call on the international community to give more attention to Cote d'Ivoire and do the needful to oust this man who is apparently going out of control. A situation that threatens to lead to genocide should not be condoned because we preferred oil to chocolate.
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