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Sub-Saharan Africa

Gbagbo Makes For the Exit as Ouattara Prepares His Entrance

By experts and staff

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  • John Campbell
    Ralph Bunche Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies
A tank burns by the roadside after heavy fighting in Ivory Coast’s main city Abidjan, April 5, 2011. (Staff Photogrpaher/Courtesy Reuters)

As Gbagbo negotiates his surrender, Ouattara prepares to become president, a role that begins with the difficult work of rebuilding his country. He has significant advantages. First, he won the elections, which the international community regarded as credible. Second, he has been deeply involved in Ivorian political life for a long time. Third, he has an international reputation from his time at the IMF, which is positive. Fourth, in his struggle with Gbagbo, he had the support of the international community, which is likely to cut him a lot of slack. He will however need to reach out to Gbagbo’s core supporters, and that will require significant political skill.