Amid escalating violence in Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) after a disputed election, the federal government is calling on incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo to concede power, saying the country has only one elected president—Alassane Ouattara.
“Canada strongly condemns the violence and is gravely concerned by the resulting loss of life in Côte d’Ivoire,” Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said in a statement.
“This crisis is the result of the intransigent refusal of Laurent Gbagbo to yield power to the legitimately elected president, Alassane Ouattara.”
The West African country’s electoral commission declared Ouattara the winner of the Nov. 28 runoff election, but Gbagbo claimed victory and was sworn in as president.
Cannon said Canada does not recognize Gbagbo’s “illegitimately appointed government” and would not hesitate to impose sanctions.
“Mr. Gbagbo must respect the democratic will of the Ivorian people and concede power to Mr. Ouattara immediately. If he does not, Canada intends to pursue a wide range of options, up to and including economic sanctions and personal travel restrictions against Mr. Gbagbo, his family, and his entourage.”
