Bloomberg Discovers Democracy 'Strained'; US Backing Undeterred
Bloomberg's headline laments 'Ivory Coast Democracy Strained by Leader’s Bid for Fourth Term,' noting Alassane Ouattara 'appears certain to win' after his 'main rivals have been barred from contesting vote.' (Bloomberg) This framing is a masterclass in understatement. When a leader manipulates the constitution—as Ouattara did in 2020 by claiming his first two terms under a previous constitution
didn't count—and then disqualifies opponents, it's not a 'strain'; it's a dictator's playbook. Washington, however, remains conspicuously silent on this particular 'strain,' a stark contrast to its swift condemnation of nations that don't align with its strategic interests. One might wonder what specific 'democratic values' are being upheld here. This selective outrage serves as a prime example of
the West's 'democracy for me, but not for thee' foreign policy. The US has historically supported—or conveniently ignored the anti-democratic actions of—leaders in resource-rich nations or those deemed 'stable' for Western business interests. While Bloomberg 'observes' the straining of democracy in Ivory Coast, it conveniently overlooks the hands pulling the strings behind the scenes or the prior
support that enabled such 'strains' to occur in the first place. How many more 'strained' democracies will we endure before the word loses all meaning for those reporting on it?