Obviously, although the Ouattara camp have gained sweeping international support, this advantage is still too limited to dislodge Gbagbo from power.

Military intervention in the wind

Due to the lack of tangible progress on the diplomatic track, calls for military intervention have been on the rise, generating fears that Cote d'Ivoire is inching toward the brink of war.

Following its special summit, ECOWAS said in a communique that should Gbagbo refuse to cede power immediately, the regional bloc would use all necessary means, including the use of force, to realize the will of Cote d'Ivoire's public. It also asked the organization's military organ to discuss possible action plans.

The Dutch Defense Ministry announced last week that one of its naval vessels was heading for the coast of Cote d'Ivoire to provide supplies for French warships stationed there.

In face of the warnings, Gbagbo has still refused to let go his power, but has meanwhile made some compromises. On the one hand, he reiterated his legitimacy as president and accused the United States and France of conspiring to topple his government. On the other hand, he expressed welcome for an international task force to objectively appraise the situation and offer a peaceful solution.

Noting that this was the first time in Africa that some countries prepared to wage war against another country because of election problems, Gbagbo warned that the country might plunge into civil war in case of foreign military intervention. But he also said that he was prepared for the scenario.

With Cote d'Ivoire now swaying at the crossroads of war and peace, observers stressed that the best choice is for relevant parties to negotiate a compromise. The international community is now hoping that the mediation efforts of the three foreign presidents as ECOWAS delegates could bear fruit.