20101210
africanews

A presidential aspirant in next year's election in the Democratic Republic of Congo Dr Bent Francis Mboyo said he is highly disappointed in Ivory Coast incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo. The US-based politician said Gbagbo should humbly accept defeat and not allow his ego to lead millions of lives into disarray.

“I am so disappointed in what is happening in Ivory Coast. After 10 years in power what else does he [Gbagbo] want? He should just step down because it is obvious Allasane Ouattara won by 54.1%.

“I am happy the African Union and ECOWAS have thrown him out and other international bodies such as the UN and Western powers like the USA and France are adding to the pressure. Africa has come of age and must not allow such power-hungry politicians to waste lives and properties.”

Dr Mboyo said if Gbagbo is allowed to stay in power at all cost other greedy politicians would take the same course and would end up taking Africa backwards.

“Please let be serious in this matter. In spite of some irregularities [which are obvious in African elections], statistically there is no way Gbagbo can jump from 45% to 51% to overtake Ouattara overnight.

“I just hope former president of South Africa Thabo Mbeki and others can help resolve the instability as soon as possible. There should be no room for compromise in this case since the winner is clear. We don’t want Mbeki to go and negotiate with Gbagbo as he did in Zimbabwe. No room for power-sharing.

“Next year, DR Congo, Zambia and other African countries will go to the polls and if we don’t stop this behavior as we see in Ivory Coast; I believe many of these current presidents will use the same strategy to stay in power.”

The 41-year-old called on Ouattara who is ruling from a hotel to resist any move to make him a prime minister.

“Africa, we need to stand up for democracy not for dictatorship. Ouattara we are with you and we are sure you will lead Ivory Coast soon. I don't know if you knew what happen in Ukraine, a president who lost the election claimed to be the winner, after a month in power, the world forced him to leave and made the real winner to become president of that country. The new wind of change blowing across the continent must come to Ivory Coast too. A change that would strengthen the peace and security of the state. A change that would bring work to the Ivory Coast people, healthcare, give them clean water and electricity.

“Gbagbo is power drunk. The people around him are thirsty for power. He has knowledgeable people around him but they are refusing to tell him the truth. They do not have the ordinary people at heart and would go at all length just to hold on to power,” he said.