Laurent Gbagbo still holds. To dislodge him from the presidential palace in Abidjan, the military option remains officially open. But it would be a political disaster for his opponent, Alassane Ouattara, President-elect, perceived as "foreign man" by many Ivorians
He also shows less generosity with the Young Patriots. Ouattara quickdraw "weapon cocoa" In mid-January. The European Union and Switzerland, following the United States froze the financial assets of Gbagbo and his relatives
Laurent Gbagbo draws its strength from the control of tax revenues. Even if the traffic is much less nurtured with the European Union ban (41% of the business).
As an additional pressure, Ouattara has decided to use "the weapon of cocoa." , by asking the suspension of bean exports.
However, according to Antoine Glaser: "Gbagbo has presumably had time, before the ban, to collect comfortable US dollars - from major foreign shippers, particularly Cargill and ADM. He also controls the refining companies.
The Heads of States members of the Economic and Monetary Union of West Africa (UEMOA) forced the resignation of the governor of the Central Bank of African States (BCEAO), Philippe-Henri Dacoury-Tabley.
Gbagbo has "commandeered" Wednesday antennas Ivorian antennas of BCEAO. At least 8 billion CFA francs (12 million euros) were recovered from the vault of the agency in Abidjan.
In fact, the banking system is partially blocked. But not completely paralyzed.
Everyone is affected. . Water companies and electricity requisitioned, Gbagbo continues to seek new resources and embarked on a program of "nationalization" – “requisitions” by force.
And Gbagbo "encourages customers to make payments in cash," says Lydie Boka, director of the Strategico, a company risk analysis. For her: "Many signs, such as his readiness to quickly collect any revenue seem to betray less serenity with Laurent Gbagbo. Resources are clearly being drying. Analysts think the deadline for Gbagbo to resist these economic pressions is the end of March 2011 month.