Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Outraged Ivorians pelted the French Embassy in Abidjan with rocks this week to protest a French-brokered peace accord that offers major concessions to the nation’s rebels. French soldiers used tear gas to push back the demonstrators. France, the former colonial ruler of Ivory Coast, helped end a four-month civil war recently by persuading President Laurent Gbagbo and rebel leaders to share power in a new government. The rebels, who were trying to take over the country’s lucrative cocoa plantations, celebrated the peace accord as a victory, while Gbagbo supporters said it amounted to capitulation. Gbagbo himself was more resigned. “There are two ways of getting out of a war,” he said. “You win militarily, or you negotiate and compromise.”
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.
-
How will the new Repayment Assistance Plan for student loans work?the explainer The Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) will replace existing income-driven repayment plans
-
In the Spotlight Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been at odds with US forces
-
Music reviews: Ethel Cain, Amaarae, and The Black KeysFeature "Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You," "Black Star," and "No Rain, No Flowers"
