AID AGENCIES CONCERNED ABOUT IVORY COAST

FEARS OF HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN
IVORY COAST AMID GROWING VIOLENCE

www.abc.net.au - There is growing concern among aid agencies about the situation in the Ivory Coast as the country descends into turmoil following disputed presidential elections.  Rebels backing the man widely recognized as the rightful leader of Ivory Coast have seized a third town from forces loyal to President Laurent Gbagbo, as the West African nation moves ever closer to civil war.  Violence flared in the West African country following the November poll after two political rivals declared themselves the winner.  Gbagbo refused to cede power to Alassane Ouattara after November elections the United Nations says the president lost, sparking a violent crisis that is threatening to spiral out of control. 

The United Nations estimates more than 300 people have been killed in post-election violence, but diplomats believe the death toll could be much higher.  Around 300,000 people have fled their homes to shelter elsewhere in the country, while another 72,000 people have taken refuge across the border in Liberia.   Aid agencies say post-election violence has been escalating and just days ago during an anti-Gbagbo protest, many women were shot dead.  Oxfam’s emergency director, Richard Young, says the situation is becoming increasingly grave.  Mr Young says the region is facing a humanitarian crisis and has called on the international community to take action.

Ivory Coast, the West African country, has been in violent turmoil since November because the incumbent Laurent Gbagbo is still refusing to stand aside and make way for his challenger Alassane Ouattara, who officially won last year’s poll, according to independent election monitors and the UN.   Every possible, graceful exit has been offered to Gbagbo, but he’s saying “I’m the president, I’m going to stay and there’s nothing you can do to stop me”.   Under the illusion of Maya, the powerful men can not understand that they have received their powers by the will of the Lord and are accountable to Him.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

The Supreme Lord Śrī Krishna is the father of all living entities, who are placed in different high and low positions according to their desires or aspirations. ... A sane person must know for certain that a living being, however powerful he may be, is neither absolute nor independent. All living beings must accept the origin of their specific power as mentioned in this verse. And if they act accordingly, then simply by discharging their respective occupational duties they can achieve the highest perfection of life, namely eternal life, complete knowledge and inexhaustible blessings. As long as the powerful men of the world do not accept the origin of their respective powers, namely the Personality of Godhead, the actions of māyā (illusion) will continue to act.

Śrīla A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda :
“El Śrīmad Bhāgavatam”
Purport in Canto 2: “The Cosmic Manifestation”
Chapter 6: “Purusha-sūkta Confirmed”, Verse 6 - Bhaktivedanta VedaBase