Bouake, Ivory Coast
Thousands of Ivorians packed a stadium this week to watch a pile of weapons go up in flames. “People of Ivory Coast, the war is over,” said President Laurent Gbagbo as he lit the bonfire. Ivory Coast’s civil war officially ended in March, when Gbagbo and rebel leader Guillaume Soro agreed to share power, but armed militias continue to menace the country. The destruction of weapons this week was an encouraging sign that disarmament is proceeding. The torch that lit the bonfire will travel around the country, Olympic-style, this month. Gbagbo is also giving out T-shirts that read “Flame of Peace, Bouake 2007, I was there.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
An ingredient in Coca-Cola may be funding Sudan's warUnder the Radar Global trade in gum arabic centres on the African nation – and proceeds bankroll conflict between the army and paramilitary rebels
-
Homes for multi-generational familiesFeature Featuring a 1900 Jacobean-style mansion in Massachusetts and a 22.5-acre compound in California
-
The Week contest: Foot PSAPuzzles and Quizzes
