U.S. slams Côte d'Ivoire's leaders for failing to 'show commitment to the democratic process' just hours after Trump falsely declared victory

(Image credit: ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images)

published 4 November 2020

Has the United States ever heard that old saying about the pot calling the kettle black? Because things sure got awkward on Wednesday morning, when the U.S. Embassy condemned the presidential election in West Africa's Côte d'Ivoire for being undemocratic — shortly after America's own leader faced such accusations domestically.

On the surface, there is little comparison between the United States' elections, which are by all expert accounts fair and legitimate, and the situation in Côte d'Ivoire, where President Alassane Ouattara won a third term with 94.27 percent of the vote. Tragically, violent clashes in the nation over the election have also resulted in at least a dozen deaths, with thousands fleeing the country, the United Nations has reported. In issuing its condemnation on Wednesday, the United States joined a chorus of international voices decrying the violence and breakdown of democratic processes in Côte d'Ivoire.

But one line in particular stood out in the U.S. statement: "The United States calls on Côte d'Ivoire's leaders to show commitment to the democratic process and the rule of law." The finger-wagging might seem a bit hypocritical, particularly after President Trump falsely declared victory in states he hasn't yet won, baselessly raised doubts about the integrity of the election, and threatened to go to the Supreme Court to stop the counting of legitimately-cast ballots.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.