The Head Heeb: A murder in Cote d’Ivoire
“While unsuccessful attempts continue to break Cote d’Ivoire’s political deadlock, the latest scandal to arise concerns the murder of a local gang leader by French peacekeepers”
Jonathan’s conclusion:
“Absent a political solution in Cote d’Ivoire, however, it is unlikely that this will be the last or only such case. The French are being dragged, unwillingly but inexorably, toward the point where peacekeeping becomes occupation.”
In case I didn’t make it clear enough in the post, I don’t particularly blame the French for this. France intervened in CI with good intentions and has done its best to facilitate peace negotiations. The trouble is that, in long-term peacekeeping situations where the peacekeepers’ role is politically charged, the facts on the ground take on their own logic. France didn’t intend to become an occupying power in CI, but matters seem to be working out that way.
Given that I have a close personal connection to two other countries caught in the same trap (and with considerably less excuse), I’m not one to judge.