This Event summary, compiled by Kelly Hawkes for U.S. Africa Command (U.S. AFRICOM) Public Affairs, is intended to help describe policy discussions that may affect security policy in Africa. These informal observations and notes are intended to help the reader understand the tone of the event and content of the discussion. They do not reflect the official views of U.S. Africa Command, nor do they provide an official public record of the event. A Brookings Institute event, March 22, 2011, highlighted the deteriorating political crisis in Cote d'Ivoire and the need for additional diplomatic and humanitarian interventions. "Ivory Coast on the Brink" included presentations and a panel discussion on the most concerning aspects of the Cote d'Ivoire crisis as the standoff continues between Ivoirian politicians Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara. Conflict in Cote d'Ivoire has persisted since 2000; however, it was further exacerbated after the highly controversial election on November 28, 2010, when incumbent President Gbagbo lost reelection to his opponent, Alassane Ouattara. The crisis escalated shortly after Gbagbo refused to vacate power and abused his political authority by exercising military and paramilitary force to prevent Ouattara from assuming the presidency. The discussion portion of the event was moderated by Exra Suruma, Brookings Institute distinguished visiting fellow. Presenters included Dr. Chaloka Beyani, UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons; Margaret McKelvey, director of the Office of Assistance for Africa at the U.S. Department of State; Ann Hollingsworth, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group; and Sarah Margon, associate director for sustainable security at the Center for American Progress. Highlighted during the discussion were issues concerning the growing numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees fleeing to Liberia and other neighboring countries. Presently, there are more than 90,000 registered Ivoirian refugees in Liberia and nearly 1,000 in Guinea, and the United Nations (UN) is currently preparing a refugee camp for the 455 Ivoirians in Ghana. Dr. Chaloka Beyani explained that the African Union Convention on IDPs requires all governments, militaries, paramilitaries, and rebel groups to protect the rights of IDPs. As a result, the African Union (AU) is applying political pressure on the Cote d'Ivoire government to restore stability and protect civilians, especially IDPs. The panelist agreed that leadership from the AU and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is imperative in resolving the crisis. On March 10, 2011, the Peace and Security Council of the AU reaffirmed the victory of Ouattara and insisted that Gbagbo step down. There is overwhelming support for Ouattara among AU members as all (with the exception of Angola) have rescinded support for Gbagbo in favor of Ouattara. However, Sarah Margon argued that the Council's recommendation has "no chance to lead to a real solution" because implementation of the recommendations was not formally laid out by the AU. The International Crisis Group (ICG) contends the situation in Cote d'Ivoire is now a "civil war" as conditions continue to deteriorate. Gbagbo's control over the media allows him to push biased messages to the populace. Ouattara remains under international protection as concerns grow over his safety. On March 22, 2011, ICG President and CEO Louise Arbour released an open letter to the ECOWAS Heads of State on the situation. The letter calls for the following: "a last chance for the outgoing president to leave in a dignified manner;" help to ensure that Ouattara gains control over all military and paramilitary forces in the country; consideration of "emergency measures to more effectively protect civilians;" and, implementation of individual sanctions against those who reject the AU's Peace and Security Council decision regarding Ouattara's rightful victory. Additional topics discussed included:The panelists praised Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for the strong statements she made in a Reuters interview on March 21, 2010 (1). She stated that "[Cote d'Ivoire's descent into violence] is a serious threat to the stability of Liberia, and I might say to the stability of all neighboring countries." She continued, "we have our own political tensions escalated with the upcoming election; this could be used as an excuse by those who would like to see our country destabilized." Margon echoed this concern with comments regarding possible implications for upcoming elections in Nigeria in early April, as well as Liberia.The current fighting in Libya has detracted much of the international community's attention from Cote d'Ivoire. Only $7 million of the $32 million called for by the UN for the humanitarian situation in Cote d'Ivoire has materialized.An audience member suggested that the U.S. station war ships off the Ivoirian coast to jam radio and television signals of President Gbagbo -- "have we learned nothing from the case of Radio Mille Collines in Rwanda?" McKelvey replied that such an idea was more complicated that it might initially appear.Panelists agreed that sanctions are a blunt instrument to squeeze Gbagbo, which have been effective to a degree; however, the sanctions have been slow to take effect and have negative implications on the civilian populations. An Ivoirian in the audience explained that banks have closed their doors to Cote d'Ivoire in an effort to comply with international sanctions, leaving Ivoirians without access to their savings. Additionally, sanctions prevent ships from servicing the ports, which restricts medicines and other supplies from entering the country. The event concluded with the assertion that "we are past the warning signs of bad," according to Hollingsworth, "this is very bad." (1): Akam, S. (2011, March 21). INTERVIEW-Liberia's Sirleaf warns on Ivory Coast. Retrieved March 22, 2011, from Reuters Africa: http://af.reuters.com/article/ivoryCoastNews/idAFLDE72K1ET20110321