Uganda's opposition leader Kizza Besigye is detained for the fourth time in three weeks on Thursday (April 28) during a fifth round of protests against high food prices, as his support grows amongst ordinary Ugandans.
Besigye, who was dragged from his car by police and thrown into a pickup truck, this is the fourth time in three weeks that Besigye, runner-up to General Yoweri Museveni in a disputed February election, has been violently arrested pro- Museveni government troops over the protests that have left at least five dead.
Besigye's arrest comes a day after he was released on bail, and immediately vowed to carry on the campaign of protests.
Besigye greeted his supporters as he came out of the court house on Wednesday (April 27), where hundreds of his supporters where waving to him and carrying posters reading; Mandela of Africa.
The protests, dubbed "walk to work" to highlight the fact that people cannot afford fuel, have triggered bloody clashes between opposition supporters and police and soldiers in Kampala and at least five other towns in the East African country.
Inflation has risen across East Africa in recent months, pushed up by increases in food and fuel prices.
Some analysts say Besigye is opportunistically using widespread anger about rising prices to try to topple the government.
But Museveni blames drought and soaring global oil prices for Uganda's double-digit inflation rate.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
E.AFRICA REELING OVER HIGH COST OF FOOD AND FUEL
Protests that originated in Uganda are now spreading to other East Africa countries. Across the region, people are unhappy over the rapid increases in food and fuel prices. Disappointed in the unprecedented price hikes, citizens are looking for better consumer protection from their governments. Inflation rates are on the rise throughout east Africa. In Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda the cost of food and fuel has sharply increased over the past few months. The high prices have triggered wave of street protests as people call on their leaders to help ease the cost of living. Analysts say that with unrest prevalent across oil producing North Africa and the Middle East, bringing an end to current economic climate will not be easy. This week in Kenya, angry protesters marched to the government's finance offices, paralyzing traffic for several hours.
"We are protesting because prices of fuel, food petrol, everything is going up and it is affecting the common mwanainchi (citizen). We are saying, let the government intervene, let the government come in between and subsidize what is happening so that wanainchi (citizens) can be able to live comfortably. That is
A recent poll showed that most Kenyans now see the high cost of fuel prices and food commodities as their biggest concern, taking a back seat was corruption and bribery, which had previously been their biggest worries. The survey by pollster Synovate was released one day after fuel prices in east Africa's largest economy rose by 8.5 percent, prompting calls for public protest.
"We are ready to go all the way, and we are not going to be cowed, we are not going to be intimidated, we are not going to be bullied. We are going to use the constitution to get what is rightfully ours."
In Kenya, analysts criticized a move by the treasury to check food and fuel prices by reducing Kerosene and Diesel excise tax by 30 and 20 percent respectively, as a solution that would take far too long to be felt by ordinary citizens.
Ugandan economist Patrick Wakida, says the current economic crisis is being felt worldwide and relief may not be near. Due to the ongoing violence in Libya, a key oil producer, oil exported to African nations at subsidized prices has been halted, contributing to the region's soaring fuel prices. But Wakida says, governments have a responsibility to cushion these effects.
"There are exogenous factors like the conflict in north Africa, those are oil producers, true they are there, but there are endogenous factors that are internal, how do you protect your country from such calamities in order to be called a good driver, if you fail then you are bound to be accused of failure to manage a country, what preparation has been there by the country,".
In Uganda, peaceful protests against rising fuel prices dubbed "Walk to Work" and led by Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, recently turned violent when demonstrators clashed with government troops. The two sides also held running street battles on Thursday.
Wakida says Uganda's government is failing to show any effort to help citizens weather the harsh economic times.
"Why is it in Rwanda petroleum products are lower than they are in Uganda, why is it that Kenya can put percentage cuts on the fuel price and Uganda cannot, what is happening to our country, that is the question everybody is asking,".
Across the continent, in Burkina Faso, tens of thousands of people marched last week in Ouagadougou angry over the high cost of living. And some of the country's soldiers upset over unpaid housing allowances, vandalized buildings and stole fuel.
"We are protesting because prices of fuel, food petrol, everything is going up and it is affecting the common mwanainchi (citizen). We are saying, let the government intervene, let the government come in between and subsidize what is happening so that wanainchi (citizens) can be able to live comfortably. That is
A recent poll showed that most Kenyans now see the high cost of fuel prices and food commodities as their biggest concern, taking a back seat was corruption and bribery, which had previously been their biggest worries. The survey by pollster Synovate was released one day after fuel prices in east Africa's largest economy rose by 8.5 percent, prompting calls for public protest.
"We are ready to go all the way, and we are not going to be cowed, we are not going to be intimidated, we are not going to be bullied. We are going to use the constitution to get what is rightfully ours."
In Kenya, analysts criticized a move by the treasury to check food and fuel prices by reducing Kerosene and Diesel excise tax by 30 and 20 percent respectively, as a solution that would take far too long to be felt by ordinary citizens.
Ugandan economist Patrick Wakida, says the current economic crisis is being felt worldwide and relief may not be near. Due to the ongoing violence in Libya, a key oil producer, oil exported to African nations at subsidized prices has been halted, contributing to the region's soaring fuel prices. But Wakida says, governments have a responsibility to cushion these effects.
"There are exogenous factors like the conflict in north Africa, those are oil producers, true they are there, but there are endogenous factors that are internal, how do you protect your country from such calamities in order to be called a good driver, if you fail then you are bound to be accused of failure to manage a country, what preparation has been there by the country,".
In Uganda, peaceful protests against rising fuel prices dubbed "Walk to Work" and led by Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, recently turned violent when demonstrators clashed with government troops. The two sides also held running street battles on Thursday.
Wakida says Uganda's government is failing to show any effort to help citizens weather the harsh economic times.
"Why is it in Rwanda petroleum products are lower than they are in Uganda, why is it that Kenya can put percentage cuts on the fuel price and Uganda cannot, what is happening to our country, that is the question everybody is asking,".
Across the continent, in Burkina Faso, tens of thousands of people marched last week in Ouagadougou angry over the high cost of living. And some of the country's soldiers upset over unpaid housing allowances, vandalized buildings and stole fuel.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
MUSEVENI SAYS HE’LL DEFEAT AMERICANS AND EUROPEANS
By Paul Ndiho
April 20, 2011
Uganda's president is stepping up his criticism of the West for interfering in internal African politics. Yoweri Museveni warns that there will be strong consequences for Western nations if they continue to intervene in African affairs.
President Yoweri Museveni, Uganda's long-time leader has criticized Western involvement in Africa, and threatens a ''Vietnam-style'' scenario if foreign troops continued their involvement in Africa. Speaking at a recent press conference, General Museveni said this new phenomenon of Europeans and Americans intervening militarily in Africa without authorization from Africa Union will be defeated.
"Can the European troops go on intervening in Africa? No. They will not, because we shall not allow it. And if they want a new Vietnam they will get it. So if you say what is my reaction to this new situation of European troops coming into Africa without the permission of the African Union, I can tell you it will stop. Like we defeated colonialism in the past, this one also will be defeated,"
In March, Museveni condemned foreign air strikes against the forces of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, accusing the West of double standards and a thirst for more oil. But his critics say that General Museveni doesn’t criticize the West when they are supporting his side. Like Gaddafi, Museveni has ruled the East African nation with an iron fist since 1986 and he continues to suppress protests led by opposition leaders like Kizza Besigye. Museveni defeated Besigye, his main rival, in February's presidential election with 68 percent of the vote. But, there remains tension between the two men.
"There will be no demonstration in Kampala. In fact, I will call upon the public to really go to Kampala as if there was nothing because in Kampala, Besigye will not demonstrate in Kampala. He will not."
Ugandan troops arrested Besigye outside his home on Monday as he was leaving to take part in the third “Walk to Work” protest against high food and fuel prices. He was arraigned in court and charged with incitement and engaging in what authorities termed as riotous behavior. Besigye was later released on bail.
"I believe what the prosecution was saying that the state is in fear... it is not in fear of my walking, it is in fear of its citizens, that is not a fear that I can cure The state fears its citizens because it knows its citizens are unhappy about what they are doing in government, stealing their money, misusing their money, abusing their rights while hard working citizens cannot even have enough to have a meal a day. That is what the state is afraid off, and which they think my walking is going to ... uh... exacerbate."
Besigye and other opposition leaders are vowing to move forward with the protests, and are willing to bear the brunt of Museveni’s brutal regime.
"What is happening clearly is that we have a regime that is hell bent on ruling by terror, violating citizens' rights with impunity." Besigye said.
Food prices in Uganda are steadily rising after drought diminished output across the country. Higher global oil prices have increased transport costs, pushing up food prices in urban areas even more. The consumer price index jumped 4.1 percent in March from February, raising the year-on-year inflation rate to 11.1 percent, the fifth straight rise. Security forces fired rubber bullets and teargas last Thursday to disperse a crowd of more than one-thousand led by Besigye who was injured after being hit in the finger with one of the rubber bullets.
In 2005, President Museveni's push for a third term came under stinging attack by western governments, especially from U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Johnnie Carson, who was then the U.S. Ambassador to Uganda. But, with his troops now in Somalia, mister Museveni currently enjoys a good working relationship with the U.S. and other western powers, though critics accuse him of keeping a tight grip on power and not allowing opposition voices to be heard.
April 20, 2011
Uganda's president is stepping up his criticism of the West for interfering in internal African politics. Yoweri Museveni warns that there will be strong consequences for Western nations if they continue to intervene in African affairs.
President Yoweri Museveni, Uganda's long-time leader has criticized Western involvement in Africa, and threatens a ''Vietnam-style'' scenario if foreign troops continued their involvement in Africa. Speaking at a recent press conference, General Museveni said this new phenomenon of Europeans and Americans intervening militarily in Africa without authorization from Africa Union will be defeated.
"Can the European troops go on intervening in Africa? No. They will not, because we shall not allow it. And if they want a new Vietnam they will get it. So if you say what is my reaction to this new situation of European troops coming into Africa without the permission of the African Union, I can tell you it will stop. Like we defeated colonialism in the past, this one also will be defeated,"
In March, Museveni condemned foreign air strikes against the forces of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, accusing the West of double standards and a thirst for more oil. But his critics say that General Museveni doesn’t criticize the West when they are supporting his side. Like Gaddafi, Museveni has ruled the East African nation with an iron fist since 1986 and he continues to suppress protests led by opposition leaders like Kizza Besigye. Museveni defeated Besigye, his main rival, in February's presidential election with 68 percent of the vote. But, there remains tension between the two men.
"There will be no demonstration in Kampala. In fact, I will call upon the public to really go to Kampala as if there was nothing because in Kampala, Besigye will not demonstrate in Kampala. He will not."
Ugandan troops arrested Besigye outside his home on Monday as he was leaving to take part in the third “Walk to Work” protest against high food and fuel prices. He was arraigned in court and charged with incitement and engaging in what authorities termed as riotous behavior. Besigye was later released on bail.
"I believe what the prosecution was saying that the state is in fear... it is not in fear of my walking, it is in fear of its citizens, that is not a fear that I can cure The state fears its citizens because it knows its citizens are unhappy about what they are doing in government, stealing their money, misusing their money, abusing their rights while hard working citizens cannot even have enough to have a meal a day. That is what the state is afraid off, and which they think my walking is going to ... uh... exacerbate."
Besigye and other opposition leaders are vowing to move forward with the protests, and are willing to bear the brunt of Museveni’s brutal regime.
"What is happening clearly is that we have a regime that is hell bent on ruling by terror, violating citizens' rights with impunity." Besigye said.
Food prices in Uganda are steadily rising after drought diminished output across the country. Higher global oil prices have increased transport costs, pushing up food prices in urban areas even more. The consumer price index jumped 4.1 percent in March from February, raising the year-on-year inflation rate to 11.1 percent, the fifth straight rise. Security forces fired rubber bullets and teargas last Thursday to disperse a crowd of more than one-thousand led by Besigye who was injured after being hit in the finger with one of the rubber bullets.
In 2005, President Museveni's push for a third term came under stinging attack by western governments, especially from U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Johnnie Carson, who was then the U.S. Ambassador to Uganda. But, with his troops now in Somalia, mister Museveni currently enjoys a good working relationship with the U.S. and other western powers, though critics accuse him of keeping a tight grip on power and not allowing opposition voices to be heard.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Uganda's President vows he will quash opposition figure Kizza Besigye
Uganda's strongman vows he will quash protests led by opposition leader Kizza Besigye. “Besigye will not demonstrate in Kampala.” Earlier today, Ugandan troops arrested opposition leader Kizza Besigye outside his home. He had left his house on his way to take part on a protest against high food and fuel prices. In this video clip Besigye is seen forcefully being dragged into the back of a pickup truck, and taken to a police station. "There will be no demonstration in Kampala.” said General Museveni.
This is the third time in less than two weeks that Besigye and other opposition leaders have been arrested by pro Museveni soldiers. Protests began last week after prices rose because of a drop in food production - due to drought in the east African country and an increase in transport cost as a result of higher global oil prices. General Museveni, who defeated Besigye in February's presidential election won with 68 percent of the vote, and has been in power for 25 years.
This is the third time in less than two weeks that Besigye and other opposition leaders have been arrested by pro Museveni soldiers. Protests began last week after prices rose because of a drop in food production - due to drought in the east African country and an increase in transport cost as a result of higher global oil prices. General Museveni, who defeated Besigye in February's presidential election won with 68 percent of the vote, and has been in power for 25 years.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
South Africa Teenage Pregnancies
South Africa's Health Ministry recently released statistics showing that almost 5-thousand schoolgirls in Johannesburg became pregnant in just one school year.
Health experts in South Africa are scrambling for answers following the report. The report says that teenage pregnancy between the ages of 12 and 19 has reached an all-time high, and education officials, parents and charities are working around the clock to address the problem.
Also, over 100 primary school girls, also became pregnant in the same period. Most come from poverty stricken homes, and are often influenced by their peers, according to the report.
17-year-old Lethlogonolo Mampane fell pregnant while still at school. She says her boyfriend used money and gifts to lure her into sex.
"I felt I have to be independent you know, I want to do things on my own without asking my mother for money, I couldn't ask my mother for money so I can go and drink with friends, so yeah, money is like the main thing, some girls maybe think it's love, but really it’s about sex and money, that's it."
Unlike many girls in her situation, Mampane continued going to school while pregnant. She says she has learnt her lesson and is now focused on her future.
"Well I went to school, I told myself that people are going to talk, I know they are, because I used to talk, so I told myself that, you know what, you know what you want, and you are going to get what you want, forget what people are saying, it's not your business, they are here, they are gonna talk, they are gonna do that, and not everyone wants good things for you.”
The Gauteng Department of Health has embarked on a campaign to educate youth on the implications of pregnancy and HIV/AIDS.
The department has deployed more than 30 family planning nurses to local clinics.
Fidel Hadebe is the spokesperson of the department of health.
“It indicates the inability of our programs in terms of one, changing attitudes towards issues of sex and sexuality."
Hadebe notes that sex is considered 'cool' for school children of school age, and another problem is persuading teenagers and children to talk about it to their parents. But Lethlogonolo’s mother is she having a hard time dealing with her daughters pregnancy
"Well, there is no way I can deny this, I didn't understand why Lethlogonolo did that to me, I mean I talk to her about issues of sex, I wanted her to be married, have kids after marriage, I mean look at me, I have two kids from different fathers, life is tough for me, I am forever fighting with their fathers to pay maintenance for their kids, I have to do anything for my children to eat. I was involved in recycling just so I could support my children, how are we going to survive with an extra mouth to feed?"
Mampane says she has put aside her disappointment and will help her daughter look after the baby so she can finish school. But she hopes other children in the neighborhood can learn from their situation and better understand the reality and responsibilities of being a parent.
Health experts in South Africa are scrambling for answers following the report. The report says that teenage pregnancy between the ages of 12 and 19 has reached an all-time high, and education officials, parents and charities are working around the clock to address the problem.
Also, over 100 primary school girls, also became pregnant in the same period. Most come from poverty stricken homes, and are often influenced by their peers, according to the report.
17-year-old Lethlogonolo Mampane fell pregnant while still at school. She says her boyfriend used money and gifts to lure her into sex.
"I felt I have to be independent you know, I want to do things on my own without asking my mother for money, I couldn't ask my mother for money so I can go and drink with friends, so yeah, money is like the main thing, some girls maybe think it's love, but really it’s about sex and money, that's it."
Unlike many girls in her situation, Mampane continued going to school while pregnant. She says she has learnt her lesson and is now focused on her future.
"Well I went to school, I told myself that people are going to talk, I know they are, because I used to talk, so I told myself that, you know what, you know what you want, and you are going to get what you want, forget what people are saying, it's not your business, they are here, they are gonna talk, they are gonna do that, and not everyone wants good things for you.”
The Gauteng Department of Health has embarked on a campaign to educate youth on the implications of pregnancy and HIV/AIDS.
The department has deployed more than 30 family planning nurses to local clinics.
Fidel Hadebe is the spokesperson of the department of health.
“It indicates the inability of our programs in terms of one, changing attitudes towards issues of sex and sexuality."
Hadebe notes that sex is considered 'cool' for school children of school age, and another problem is persuading teenagers and children to talk about it to their parents. But Lethlogonolo’s mother is she having a hard time dealing with her daughters pregnancy
"Well, there is no way I can deny this, I didn't understand why Lethlogonolo did that to me, I mean I talk to her about issues of sex, I wanted her to be married, have kids after marriage, I mean look at me, I have two kids from different fathers, life is tough for me, I am forever fighting with their fathers to pay maintenance for their kids, I have to do anything for my children to eat. I was involved in recycling just so I could support my children, how are we going to survive with an extra mouth to feed?"
Mampane says she has put aside her disappointment and will help her daughter look after the baby so she can finish school. But she hopes other children in the neighborhood can learn from their situation and better understand the reality and responsibilities of being a parent.
Uganda's Opposition Leader Shot
Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye has been shot after the military police opened fire to disperse protesters in the capital, Kampala.
Ugandan police fired teargas to disperse a crowd that gathered after an opposition leader was prevented from taking part in a second round of protests over rising fuel and food prices on Thursday (April 14).
Opposition leader Kizza Besigye, President Yoweri Museveni's closest rival in February elections, was stopped by military police from taking part in the protest. Teargas was fired to disperse a crowd that formed a ring around him in a Kampala suburb as police tried to arrest him.
Police had already detained Besigye on Monday (April 11) as he prepared to join another protest over rising food and fuel prices.
After a few hours of cat-and-mouse chases with protesters, police stopped firing teargas and three of their vehicles escorted a crowd of more than 1,000 towards the city centre, with Besigye in the middle.
But the protesters were then dispersed by military police, firing live bullets.
Prices have been rising in the east African country after drought hurt food production in many parts of Uganda and higher fuel prices have increased transport costs, pushing up food prices further in urban areas.
After Monday's attempted protest, Besigye was charged with inciting unrest and released on bail.
More updates coming!
Ugandan police fired teargas to disperse a crowd that gathered after an opposition leader was prevented from taking part in a second round of protests over rising fuel and food prices on Thursday (April 14).
Opposition leader Kizza Besigye, President Yoweri Museveni's closest rival in February elections, was stopped by military police from taking part in the protest. Teargas was fired to disperse a crowd that formed a ring around him in a Kampala suburb as police tried to arrest him.
Police had already detained Besigye on Monday (April 11) as he prepared to join another protest over rising food and fuel prices.
After a few hours of cat-and-mouse chases with protesters, police stopped firing teargas and three of their vehicles escorted a crowd of more than 1,000 towards the city centre, with Besigye in the middle.
But the protesters were then dispersed by military police, firing live bullets.
Prices have been rising in the east African country after drought hurt food production in many parts of Uganda and higher fuel prices have increased transport costs, pushing up food prices further in urban areas.
After Monday's attempted protest, Besigye was charged with inciting unrest and released on bail.
More updates coming!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Ugandan Police Arrests Opposition Leaders
By Paul Ndiho
April 11, 2011
Ugandan police fired teargas canisters to disperse opposition supporters after their leaders are arrested in a protest against rising food and fuel prices.
Ugandan police detained two main opposition leaders on Monday as they prepared to march in protest over rising food and fuel prices in the east African country.
Civil society and opposition parties were planning to hold a "Walk to Work" protest when the police detained Kizza Besigye, who was General Museveni who closest rival in February elections. Uganda’s strongman General Museveni won with 68 percent of the vote and has been in power for 25 years.
Dr. Besigye was walking to work near his home in Kampala in support of civil society who had called on leaders to join them in their protest.
"If am not committing an offence, do not violate rights, let me go about my business. Go to do what I want to do the way I want to do it, that is my right, you have very clear choices and you can use them, you have the power, I do not have power, I am an ordinary person," .
Another opposition leader, Norbert Mao, was detained after a brief standoff with the police in a Kampala suburb. Security forces used teargas to disperse a crowd that had gathered.
Before Besigye was bundled into a police vehicle, he said authorities should not be worried by a small minority that may not be happy with them.
"We have just gone through an election in which the regime claims to have got 70% of the votes, so why would they be worried about this small minority of people that may not be happy with them and many of them wishing to go to work the way that I am doing, why would they be fearing? I think the fear to me is a demonstration that they have lost the legitimacy to govern and therefore they must govern by might, by violation of other people's rights," Besigye said.
Besigye was the presidential candidate for the Inter-Party Cooperation, a coalition of five parties that fielded a joint candidate against Museveni. Mao was candidate for the Democratic Party, which is not part of the opposition coalition.
Police had warned that “Walk to Work” peaceful protests against the rising fuel prices and cost of living in the country were illegal, saying the opposition intended to cause "violence and destruction".
Besigye and other opposition leaders have repeatedly warned Uganda is ripe for an Egypt-style uprising, though analysts question public appetite for unrest.
Besigye unsuccessfully appealed to the Supreme Court after losing the 2001 and 2006 elections. While judges agreed there had been vote rigging and violence against the opposition, they said it had not changed the overall result.
April 11, 2011
Ugandan police fired teargas canisters to disperse opposition supporters after their leaders are arrested in a protest against rising food and fuel prices.
Ugandan police detained two main opposition leaders on Monday as they prepared to march in protest over rising food and fuel prices in the east African country.
Civil society and opposition parties were planning to hold a "Walk to Work" protest when the police detained Kizza Besigye, who was General Museveni who closest rival in February elections. Uganda’s strongman General Museveni won with 68 percent of the vote and has been in power for 25 years.
Dr. Besigye was walking to work near his home in Kampala in support of civil society who had called on leaders to join them in their protest.
"If am not committing an offence, do not violate rights, let me go about my business. Go to do what I want to do the way I want to do it, that is my right, you have very clear choices and you can use them, you have the power, I do not have power, I am an ordinary person," .
Another opposition leader, Norbert Mao, was detained after a brief standoff with the police in a Kampala suburb. Security forces used teargas to disperse a crowd that had gathered.
Before Besigye was bundled into a police vehicle, he said authorities should not be worried by a small minority that may not be happy with them.
"We have just gone through an election in which the regime claims to have got 70% of the votes, so why would they be worried about this small minority of people that may not be happy with them and many of them wishing to go to work the way that I am doing, why would they be fearing? I think the fear to me is a demonstration that they have lost the legitimacy to govern and therefore they must govern by might, by violation of other people's rights," Besigye said.
Besigye was the presidential candidate for the Inter-Party Cooperation, a coalition of five parties that fielded a joint candidate against Museveni. Mao was candidate for the Democratic Party, which is not part of the opposition coalition.
Police had warned that “Walk to Work” peaceful protests against the rising fuel prices and cost of living in the country were illegal, saying the opposition intended to cause "violence and destruction".
Besigye and other opposition leaders have repeatedly warned Uganda is ripe for an Egypt-style uprising, though analysts question public appetite for unrest.
Besigye unsuccessfully appealed to the Supreme Court after losing the 2001 and 2006 elections. While judges agreed there had been vote rigging and violence against the opposition, they said it had not changed the overall result.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Ivorians Seeking Refuge in Togo
Thousands of Ivorian refugees are taking refugee in neighboring countries, as fighting intensifies between forces loyal to Ivory Coast presidential rivals Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara in the world's top cocoa-growing nation.
United Nations-certified results show Alassane Ouattara won the November 28 presidential election. Forces loyal to Mr. Ouattara are battling to forcefully remove incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo, who refuses to step down.
More than three months of post-election turmoil has killed more than 1,000 people in Ivory Coast and rekindled the country's 2002 civil war.
Hundreds of thousands Ivorian refugees have taken refuge in neighboring countries, prompting Liberia to set up refugee centers in collaboration with the UN refugee agency (UNHCR). Brownie Samukai, the Liberian Minister of Defense, says the international community has a stake in assuring that people in Ivory Coast get help in this conflict.
"They deserve the attention of the international community and that attention will protect the investment that you have made in Liberia, and that attention will make sure that those women are okay, those civilians who are suffering the brunt in Ivory Coast can be protected. Liberia supports the stand that the ECOWAS has taken and we believe that it is in our best interest that international community also come and support ECOWAS to urge the UN to take the appropriate step as a desire in order to bring peace."
According to the UN, as many as one million people have fled the conflict to neighboring countries.
Aid agencies across the region are appealing to the international community to increase donations to help the refugees. Many of those arriving in Liberia and other countries have very little with them:
"We arrived in Lome, and we have no accommodation. There is no accommodation and we do not know where to sleep, we cannot fully integrate, it's difficult for us here in Lome."
"It's ok for us men, but for women who now have to sleep outside, and who don't have a roof over their heads, it's really pitiful, really pathetic. We as Ivorian refugees, we didn't ask for this to happen to our country. It may be that our country is going through another chapter in its history, but what is happening to our country is horrible."
In Togo, the situation is similar. Refugee assistance official Moise Inaddjo says the country has been trying to provide the basic necessities for the refugees.
"When they arrive to the national coordination of assistance for refugees, we try to calm them, we try to listen to them and many are traumatized. We must first help them out the trauma and then we register them as refugees. When we register them, we realise that there are many cases, and that many of them have nothing to eat for example".
Armed militiamen loyal to incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo are patrolling streets in Abidjan in a standoff with forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara. Dressed in army fatigues or civilian clothing, the militiamen are on the streets or on boats. Meanwhile, hundreds of pro-Ouattara soldiers are gathered on the outskirts of Abidjan, waiting to launch what they say will be a final assault to unseat Laurent Gbagbo.
United Nations-certified results show Alassane Ouattara won the November 28 presidential election. Forces loyal to Mr. Ouattara are battling to forcefully remove incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo, who refuses to step down.
More than three months of post-election turmoil has killed more than 1,000 people in Ivory Coast and rekindled the country's 2002 civil war.
Hundreds of thousands Ivorian refugees have taken refuge in neighboring countries, prompting Liberia to set up refugee centers in collaboration with the UN refugee agency (UNHCR). Brownie Samukai, the Liberian Minister of Defense, says the international community has a stake in assuring that people in Ivory Coast get help in this conflict.
"They deserve the attention of the international community and that attention will protect the investment that you have made in Liberia, and that attention will make sure that those women are okay, those civilians who are suffering the brunt in Ivory Coast can be protected. Liberia supports the stand that the ECOWAS has taken and we believe that it is in our best interest that international community also come and support ECOWAS to urge the UN to take the appropriate step as a desire in order to bring peace."
According to the UN, as many as one million people have fled the conflict to neighboring countries.
Aid agencies across the region are appealing to the international community to increase donations to help the refugees. Many of those arriving in Liberia and other countries have very little with them:
"We arrived in Lome, and we have no accommodation. There is no accommodation and we do not know where to sleep, we cannot fully integrate, it's difficult for us here in Lome."
"It's ok for us men, but for women who now have to sleep outside, and who don't have a roof over their heads, it's really pitiful, really pathetic. We as Ivorian refugees, we didn't ask for this to happen to our country. It may be that our country is going through another chapter in its history, but what is happening to our country is horrible."
In Togo, the situation is similar. Refugee assistance official Moise Inaddjo says the country has been trying to provide the basic necessities for the refugees.
"When they arrive to the national coordination of assistance for refugees, we try to calm them, we try to listen to them and many are traumatized. We must first help them out the trauma and then we register them as refugees. When we register them, we realise that there are many cases, and that many of them have nothing to eat for example".
Armed militiamen loyal to incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo are patrolling streets in Abidjan in a standoff with forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara. Dressed in army fatigues or civilian clothing, the militiamen are on the streets or on boats. Meanwhile, hundreds of pro-Ouattara soldiers are gathered on the outskirts of Abidjan, waiting to launch what they say will be a final assault to unseat Laurent Gbagbo.
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