Gbagbo's men call for battle with opposition in Cote d'Ivoire

Cote d'Ivoire's incumbent President, Laurent Gbagbo's aides have called upon their followers to prepare for a battle against the opposing Alassane Ouattara faction. The country seems to be on the brink of civil war as neither of the both groups refused to stand down.

Charles Ble Goude, Gbagbo's minister for youth, on Saturday stated that their party would fight to defend the sovereignty of the country. Speaking to the local media agencies he also called for a complete liberation of the country. The minister was United Nations sanctions for the past four years after he was accused of encouraging violence committed by street militias, including beatings, rapes and extrajudicial killings.

African and International leaders have stepped up pressure on Gbagbo, threatening of using force to unseat him. Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, stated that for African nations would consider oust the incumbent president by force if needed.

Mr Gbagbo must be forced even if it means using military means to get rid of him because now he is just relying on military power, not the people's power, to intimidate the people, he told reporters at a news conference in Nairobi.

The African Union should develop teeth, he added.

Meanwhile, international community is also preparing to slap the Gbagbo regime with economic sanctions. Reports suggest that the European Union is preparing to freeze their personal bank accounts and issuing visa bans to Gbagbo and his aides. The US has also announced that it would consider sanctions against the country.

Despite international outcry, the incumbent President, Laurent Gbagbo sworn in for a new term earlier this month. Rival Ouattara also sworn himself as the premier and both parties named separate cabinet.

Following the recent elections, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) declared Ouattara to have won the run-off by 54.1 per cent of votes to 45.9 per cent. The United Nations, U.S. along with several other European countries extended their congratulations to Ouattara. But the country's Constitutional Council named Gbagbo as winner overturning the earlier results on Friday. The president of the council, Paul Yao N'Dre, stated that after excluding votes in seven regions that were marred by irregularities, Gbagbo won the polls by 51 per cent to Ouattara's 48 per cent.