The Road to Wigan Pier

December 1999 to October 2000 . It is crucial to take a look at not only the events of this period of time , but also at the spirit that dominated this particular part of Africa . It all started on December 23 , 1999 when military forces generated the first coup d 'etat in the history of this country . It brought about a socio-political crisis , severe human rights violations as well as institutional frailty and a military dictatorship that lasted for almost a year

The events that followed October 2000 proved that indeed , Gbagbo 's

br intentions were to further deepen the ethnic segregation and to allow the ethnic conflict to escalate and generate a deep national crisis in the Ivory Coast . Hiding behind groundless accusations that the Muslim northern part of the country was a source for rebels and terrorists Gbagbo has reduced this region 's political voice to a minimum , and has encouraged discrimination based on ethnicity and religion . Not only did the president not even attempt to punish those responsible for the murder of RDR supporters (who were mostly Muslim , but he organized and orchestrated more attacks and abuses . He instigated the non-Muslim against the Muslim population by claiming that the latter was a source of conflict and social unrest . This has led to violence , which was also supported by the military forces . By maintaining a state of unrest and a feeling of hatred among the ethnic groups of the country , Gbagbo managed to present himself as the savior of the Ivory Coast , and to ensure his ethnic group 's large participation in the decision-making process of the country . On the occasion of his electoral success , while his supporters were celebrating his election , Gbagbo , in a nationally televised speech that evening , said , I thank you for spontaneously and massively heeding my...