The month-long political impasse in Ivory Coast is in danger of causing a humanitarian crisis as people flee across the border to Liberia and Ghana, say ACT Alliance members working in the two neighbouring countries.
Ivory Coast has been mired in a political stalemate since the results of the national elections on Nov. 28 were declared. The incumbent president, Laurent Gbagbo, has declined to concede defeat to the apparent winner, Alassane Ouattara, citing rigging in the northern region of the country where Outtara has a wide following.
Outtara has been recognised internationally as the new president, and leaders of the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States have stated that they could use force if the incumbent does not step down.
The disputed presidential election has already taken a deadly turn. More than 170 people have been killed in the country as a direct result of the electoral stand-off, according to United Nations figures, while 14,000 people have fled to neighbouring Liberia to escape the violence that broke out in the election’s aftermath. The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that, in the worst case scenario, as many as 30,000 people could become refugees.
Women and children have been hit disproportionately hard by the conflict. According to ACT Alliance’s Forum in Liberia, the 14,000 who reached Liberia in December include 8,666 children below 17 years, and 3,544 women.
– ACT Alliance
