The choice of peace is in their hands. The risk of an unending war, of genocide, of the deaths of millions of victims--women, children, the unarmed, the poor, the weak--cannot be ruled out if the potential for further conflict is let loose. We sincerely hope that in spite of the threats, admonitions, harangues and partisan analyses at play in this conflict, that the only true option, the one of peace for all, will finally emerge from the maze of the wild passions, extreme tensions and bias that dominate the political space in relation to Ivory Coast.

In particular, the observers, friends, brothers, cultural workers, intellectuals, diaspora Africans who orient the debate, should be careful not to overheat the discourse surrounding this conflict, in order to avoid further suffering, exactions and frustrations. Instead, they should help to develop a solid effort that goes beyond emotion to a truly restorative vision.

We should recall the numerous theaters of war and human disasters created by war and its consequences on the African continent, a disastrous situation more than ever promoted by its elite predators as well as by the massive interests of the geopolitical strategists, speculating on the possibility of capitalizing on unrest in Africa and reviving old colonial interests.

A succession of African tragedies has succeeded in disfiguring, mutilating, starving and tearing up the African continent, hampering it from demonstrating its rich, generous and eager humanity as it sought to play its role in a world bent on its exploitation.

Since 2002, Ivory Coast has been divided in two by a rebellious army. The disarmament agreed upon by international bodies involving Ivory Coast, France, the African Union, the UN, ECOWAS, the presidents of Burkina Faso and South Africa, was supposed to take place prior to any election. This disarmament did not take place, thereby negatively affecting the credibility of the elections. The international community and voices from Ivory Coast and the African diaspora should abstain from advocating a suicidal recourse to force that will resolve nothing, and that will invoke suspicions of a hidden agenda from the "international community." European and American authorities urging their nationals to leave Ivory Coast should align themselves with the search for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, thereby preserving the integrity of the country and saving human lives, those of Ivorian and of other nationals, Africans and non- Africans resident in the country.

Peace for Ivory Coast, Peace for Africa. No to a new Rwanda. No to a new Congo of the 1960s. No to a Biafran war. No to a new Liberia. No to a re-enactment of the fratricidal Angolan wars....

N. B. To identify yourself with this cause, please go to:
www.appelpourlapaixenci.org

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