Officials Urge Incumbent Ivory Coast President to Step Down

After a public debate over voter fraud and outbreaks of violence, West African officials are urging incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo to step down from the top post of the Ivory Coast. Since the country’s election on November 28, President Gbagbo and challenger Alassane Ouattara ? widely recognized as the winner of the election ? have been trading strong words, and the public debate is now set against the background of a massive transportation strike, which has left thousands stuck at home.

John James, reporting for our partner the BBC, speaks to us from the city of Abidjan in Ivory Coast.