News / Resources

BBC WorldNews: McDonald Interviewed About Latest Ivory Coast Developments in Abidjan

Baker Hostetler partner Tom McDonald resident in Washington, D.C., office, Head of the Government Policy Practice Group and former U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe, was interviewed by BBC WorldNews on March 31, 2011, about the latest developments in the Ivory Coast and whether or not he thinks President Laurent Gbagbo will step down.

Following is an excerpt of the interview:

Reporter: “Soldiers loyal to Alassane Ouattara, are now surrounding the main city Abiidjan, before a push to oust Laurent Gbagbo who has been refusing for months to give up. Does this look to you like the end?”

McDonald: “I would think so although Gbagbo is a bit of a cat with nine lives, so they will continue to fight here and it seems it could be a matter of hours if not days before this is finished, but I wouldn’t put an exact time on that.

Reporter: “I know he’s an extraordinary stubborn man as he’s proved over the past few months and yet we’re hearing Alassane Ouattara wants the land and air borders closed and Gbagbo’s army chief has fled with his family. What do you think is his most likely move as Ouattara’s forces close in?”

McDonald: “He is very stubborn, along with his wife, who have both been international pariahas and have refused to give up. It’s hard to predict, you would hope that in the interest of preventing civilian casualties and innocents being killed―I know the French there are trying to protect them, that he would step down now and he has not. I wouldn’t want to make a prediction. He still has some presidential guard and some are militia that are still loyal to him, apparently. I’ve spent time in Abidjan. It’s a big city and you could have house to house, street to street fighting. 

See Full Interview