Ivory Coast debacle may be nearing end

Laurent Gbago reign almost over, army Chief of Staff flees

After four months of sanctions, financial collapse, and civil war, it finally appears that the reign of Ivory Coast's Laurent Gbagbo is about to end. Troops loyal to his opponent, Alassane Ouattara, the man recognized by the U.N. and the African Union to have defeated Gbagbo in the election, are closing in on Gbagbo's residence.

After steadfastly refusing to leave the presidential palace despite losing an election four months ago — a refusal that has led to hundreds of deaths, international condemnation and sanctions, the financial collapse of what had been West Africa’s economic star and the country’s being plunged back into civil war — Mr. Gbagbo faced the gravest threat yet to his rule.

Alassane Ouattara to lead country out of morass

The head of the army has resigned and fled to the South African embassy with his family, and Gbagbo's security forces, who have terrorized civilians in Ouattara-supporting neighborhoods for months, have mostly given up without a fight, leaving the road open for Ouattara's advance to Abidgan. It seems that only Gbagbo's elite presidential guard is holding firm, however, trying to defend Gbagbo's fortified compound. 

Ivory Coast news on BBC.co.uk

New York Times article on rebellion in Ivory Coast