In the wake of the enormous media coverage of the uprisings and so-defined “revolutions” in North Africa and the Middle East, I am hard pressed to find any media coverage of the escalating atrocities and impending civil war in Cote d’Ivoire. The “blackout” of this media coverage I am referring to is not within the mainstream media… which is understandable… it’s within the AfroSphere itself. One can read more on Chris Brown… even on Charlie Sheen… on blogs, news sites and webzines within the Black/African blogosphere, than on Cote d’Ivoire.
The sad thing about this is that in this age of the power of social media within the creation of communities of interest, the recent histories of Liberia, Sierra Leone, Rwanda and Kenya are being repeated today in Cote d’Ivoire (here)… and we don’t care. It’s an indictment on all of us, from President Obama… “a son of Africa”… to those of African descent within the continent, the Diaspora and the AfroSphere. We do nothing, then we get pissed and question the motives and sincerity of the Bono’s, George Clooney’s and Mia Farrow’s of the (white) world when they take up the causes of African people.
In saying all this however, I must acknowledge and give props to Patrick-Bernard at Cry Me An Onion for his post “The Ivory Coast Saga” in December 2010. He is one of a handful within the AfroSphere with a global perspective and understanding on the importance and significance of these issues on those of African descent regardless of where we reside.
Henceforth, the first step to do something… anything… about this is awareness. Below are some resources on Cote d’Ivoire that bring knowledge and perspective to what is happening there now:
- Aljazeera: An Ivorian Miracle?
- Crossed Crocodiles: Ivory Coast – What Happened? What Next? (excellent background and references on current situation)
- The African Executive: The Ivory Coast: Unlocking the Impasse
- Pambazuka News: Cote d’Ivoire: Forces behind the crisis and what’s at stake
Post something on your blog or webzine to bring attention to this crisis. Hundreds have been and thousands will be massacred. Atrocities such as mass murders and rapes, other crimes against humanity including genocide is forthcoming. Obama and the European allies argued that they had to intervene in Lybia to prevent a humanitarian crisis… what about Cote d’Ivoire?
Enlighten those during discussions about the so-called “Jasmine Revolutions” as well as debates surrounding military intervention in Lybia, about the fight for democracy and the current humanitarian crisis in Cote d’Ivoire. This should be our primary concern.
The mainstream media may ignore the plight of the people in Cote d’Ivoire… that’s expected… our blackout of this event… is self-imposed. The guilt will be ours.
Way to ring the alarm on this Asa. We here have to, no, must be a true alternate to the MSM. What worth are we only to respond and react only to stories in the “news”?
Peace, bruh.
I watched An Ivorian Miracle and found it very interesting.
I pray and hope that all Ivorians find it within their hearts to work for peace and reconciliation.
Cote d’Ivoire used to be a prosperous nation and an example for many African nations to emulate.
I still believe that France has meddled too much in the affairs of its former African colonies .
For too many years after indepence, French speaking Africans have been taken orders from their former colonial master and this has kept them in a complete state of dependency.
Nonetheless, An African nation with many different African ethnic groups and nationalities does not have to be a bad thing.This is more of a plus than a drawback.
A new constitution should be able to fix the matter of immigration and the children who were born there.
When the former president of Ivory Coast invited other Africans to come in and work because jobs were plentiful,I think this was good for the nation.
Now is the time when leadership plays an important role.The great continent of Africa is in dire need of exemplary leaders.
Many of the black bloggers rarely write and talk about Africa. They are the first ones to criticize and see shadows whenever a non-black person gets involved with any project on the continent.They are not interested, but no one else should, or they distrust anyone who is. It is pure madness.
I wonder why Africa has ended up with so many horrible children and descendants.
I have one dream for my beloved Africa:
My dream is that someday soon, responsible, accountable, exemplary, caring and loving sons and daughters of Africa, the very best from her womb , will rise up as leaders and restore Africa’s honor and glory so that every African on the continent can lead a decent, peaceful, dignified and prosperous life.
Saludos…
I know this is South Africa’s national anthem, but ironically it is also a prayer for the entire African continent:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8iZ8jIqrQo
Thanks Asagbna for the food for thought!
Please see Pambazuka News [www.pambazuka.org] for comprehensive coverage and analysis of the conflict in Cote d’Ivoire.
Asabagna, Thanks for a great post on an important topic!
For more understanding of what is happening in Ivory coast see this interview with Kwesi Pratt, editor of the Insight newspaper in Ghana. interview on Radio Gold (transcript) is the most complete and informed description of the entire situation I have seen.
Gbagbo is a dreadful leader and has used the poisonous and discriminatory policy of Ivoirité to maintain his power. Ouattara appears to be a free market IMF tool. Still, as Dr. Nfor N. Susungi says: Anyone who claims that they know, for sure, that either Allassane Dramane Ouattara or Laurent Gbagbo won the election is fiddling with the truth.
Kwesi Pratt explains why this is so, why military intervention would be a disaster, and suggests the only practical way to resolve the situation is keep negotiating and redo the election.
The supposed win of Ouattara is a creation of the French and US ambassadors. The AU observer mission said the elections were not credible. The French and US ambassadors escorted the head of the Ivoirian Electoral Commission to the hotel that was Ouattara’s headquarters to announce Ouattara had won to the French media, no Ivoirian media were present. The Ivoirian Constitutional Council, the only body, according to the Ivoirian constitution, with authority to declare election results, announced Gbagbo as the winner.
Both leaders enjoy significant support and their supporters genuinely believe that others seek to cheat them out of deserved victory. The imposition of either leader on Ivoirians can only escalate the conflict.
xcroc… thanks for the your link to the Radio Gold transcript. The more I learn about the details of this conflict, the more I fear and sympathize for the people who are fodder to feed the egos of 2 men!
Much respect!
asabagna, I’m glad you liked it. Kwesi Pratt is a great journalist. He was one of the first people to recognize the significance of the Cheney energy policy for Africa. He is the journalist in Ghana who asked George Bush about US intentions to build a military base in Ghana, to whom Bush rudely and dishonestly replied “Baloney”. He is also worried Ivory Coast could go as bad as Rwanda and spill over into neighboring countries if the military approach prevails.
Sokari Ekine, who comments above, is a powerful writer and activist. She gives valuable advice in recommending Pambazuka.I find Pambazuka a constant source of reliable information and insightful opinion. Many of the most knowledgeable people in Africa and who know Africa publish there. It also publishes some good books. I think of it as THE first place to go to to understand what is going on with issues and countries across the continent.
Much respect to you and to the excellent job you are doing with this blog.
Xcroc;
In this battle of egos, Gbagbo is clearly the more dangerous with the Ivorite neo facist approach. However both men seem willing to kill a lot of Africans so that they can be king of the hill.
Sayeed,
I agree with you completely. I am inclined to think Ouattara may be the better of two dreadful choices, though he has spilled a lot of blood. It looks like the French are helping him along. I think they see him as their ticket to maintaining colonial power. Gbagbo is really no better in that regard. He allowed dumping of European toxic waste in residential areas poisoning a lot of people. I think, but may be wrong, that Ouattara at least presents a path that eventually could allow representation for all Ivoirians. But it isn’t coming any time soon.
Xcroc:
I fear for Ivorians because the neo-liberal agenda that Ouattara will bring to that country is certain to bring austerity to a people who have little to begin with.
[...] question of media coverage of Côte d’Ivoire is taken up by the US blog, AfroSphere but the criticism is of the black media rather than the mainstream media. It’s important to note [...]