Portrait of an Ivorian jeune patriote
BBC's Focus on Africa magazine has an fascinating portrait of a jeune patriote, part of the fanatical and xenophobic Ivorian Young Patriots militias.
"The problem is not with the French; it is with Jacques Chirac and his military," said Michel, the Young Patriot in question.
Which makes it so odd that so many businesses owned by French CIVILIANS were targeted in their rampages.
posted by Brian @ Sunday, January 09, 2005
2 comments
2 Comments:
There seem to be two problems here - Jacques Chirac and the Young Patriots. A few weeks back, I listened to a BBC radio program in which the reporter Ofeibea Quist-Arcton painted a scary picture of the Ivory Coast under the Young Patriots, who seemed more like ruthless thugs than an organized revolutionary. If Chirac is guilty for crimes against Ivorians, then so are the Patriots for crimes against the French in Ivory Coast. Blé Goudé seems more like an opportunist playing on the emotions of young Ivorians. Does he have a point? I honestly think so. But there are other ways of getting ones message across without preaching hate.
"Blé Goudé seems more like an opportunist playing on the emotions of young Ivorians. Does he have a point?"
Ble Goude has been an opportunist for over a decade. Does he have a point? Of course. Demagogues like him always have a tiny grain of truth, which is part of what makes them compelling. But his actions discredit him in my eyes.
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