BBC Discovers Foreign Elections Are Rigged, Sometimes
Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara, 83, has 'secured' a fourth term after two major rivals, Laurent Gbagbo and Guillaume Soro, were conveniently barred from running. The BBC acknowledges this makes his win 'unsurprising'. This isn't groundbreaking investigative journalism; it's basic arithmetic. Ouattara, who previously promised to step down, simply amended the constitution to allow perpetual
rule. (Where have we heard that before?). This kind of electoral machination, a textbook example of democratic erosion, often sparks widespread condemnation and sanctions when it happens in nations that defy Western geopolitical interests. Yet, when a leader, like Ouattara, maintains ties with powerful former colonial masters – France, in this case – the outrage often feels... muted, much like the
BBC's headline which implies a 'securing' rather than a 'seizing' of power. One might wonder if the concern for 'democratic norms' is directly proportional to a country's willingness to host foreign military bases or concede natural resource rights. Or whether the Western press simply highlights election integrity issues when the 'wrong' side wins.