Gbagbo Degage!
On February 19, 2010, RHDP youth organized Egypt-inspired pro-Ouattara protests across Abidjan and throughout Ivory Coast. Sadly, Gbagbo's troops violently put down these protests with live rounds of gunfire and tear gas canisters. There were at least three confirmed fatalities and numerous injuiries.
- Many people wonder whether or not Gbagbo's insistence on violence today is a reflection of his growing insecurity and fear for the future. There have been numerous protests by his own youth wing, led by Blé Goudé, in recent months. None of these protests were put down by security forces.
- There are widespread reports of looting of shops and businesses in Abidjan by pro-Gbagbo militiamen wearing RHDP t-shirts to give the impression Ouattara's supporters were doing the looting. Gbagbo also used today's chaos to have his forces break into international banks that were "nationalized" this week.
- The UN saved many lives today by deploying six tanks in Abobo (an Abidjan neighborhood).
- There are widespread reports of live rounds being fired at and around protestors across Abidjan today.
- There were reputedly at least 200 heavily armed policemen in Abobo and 500 deployed in Koumassi to "control" unarmed protestors. They used live rounds and tear gas to disperse the crowds.
- Even LMP (pro-Gbagbo) journalists are now resisting Gbagbo's media suppression and initimidation tactics.
