ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast — The two candidates in Ivory Coast’s disputed presidential election took dueling oaths of office Saturday after each claimed victory.
Incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo defied calls from the United States, France and the United Nations to concede defeat, wrapping himself in the Ivorian flag as he was sworn in for another term. Hours later, opposition candidate Alassane Ouattara announced that he had taken his own oath.
The developments leave Ivory Coast with two men who claim to be president, furthering inflaming the political chaos in the West African nation whose once-prosperous economy was destroyed by the 2002-03 civil war.
U.S. President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy say Ouattara is the rightful winner and his victory must be acknowledged. The top U.N. official in Ivory Coast is also standing by results released Thursday by the country’s election commission that put Ouattara ahead.
Ivory Coast’s long-awaited presidential election was meant to restore stability in what was once one of the most affluent countries in Africa. Instead, the election has cast a shadow as the country faces two rivals who each claim to be leading the country.
Each has his own army, his own support network and his own legal framework for governing. Gbagbo has the support of the regular army, while Ouattara is supported by the New Forces rebels. Gbagbo is supported by many of the country’s most important institutions, including the constitutional council and the state media, while Ouattara is backed with foreign endorsements.
“The risk of violence between supporters of the two parties, as well as repression by Ivorian security forces against real or perceived supporters of Ouattara, is very high,” said Corinne Dufka, senior West Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch.
Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, a former rebel leader who had served in a unity government with Gbagbo since a 2007 peace deal, said Saturday that he was backing Ouattara, who is popular in the formerly rebel-held north. Ouattara said his first act as president was to reappoint Soro.
“These last days have been difficult, but I can tell you now that Ivory Coast is in good hands,” Ouattara said just hours after Gbagbo held his inauguration ceremony.
