U.S. slams Côte d'Ivoire's leaders for failing to 'show commitment to the democratic process' just hours after Trump falsely declared victory
Published Date: 11/4/2020
Source: news.yahoo.com
Has the United States ever heard that old saying about the pot calling the kettle black? Because things sure got awkward on Wednesday morning, when the U.S. Embassy condemned the presidential election in West Africa's Cote d'Ivoire for being undemocratic -- shortly after America's own leader faced such accusations domestically.On the surface, there is little comparison between the United States' elections, which are by all expert accounts fair and legitimate, and the situation in Cote d'Ivoire, where President Alassane Ouattara won a third term with 94.27 percent of the vote. Tragically, violent clashes in the nation over the election have also resulted in at least a dozen deaths, with thousands fleeing the country, the United Nations has reported. In issuing its condemnation on Wednesday, the United States joined a chorus of international voices decrying the violence and breakdown of democratic processes in Cote d'Ivoire.But one line in particular stood out in the U.S. statement: "The United States calls on Cote d'Ivoire's leaders to show commitment to the democratic process and the rule of law." The finger-wagging might seem a bit hypocritical, particularly after President Trump falsely declared victory in states he hasn't yet won, baselessly raised doubts about the integrity of the election, and threatened to go to the Supreme Court to stop the counting of legitimately-cast ballots. Read the full U.S. statement, shared by The Washington Post's West Africa bureau chief Danielle Paquette, below. > The U.S. urged leaders in Ivory Coast to stick to a "democratic" election process hours after President Trump prematurely declared victory.https://t.co/peZUcPMreL> > -- Danielle Paquette (@DPAQreport) November 4, 2020More stories from theweek.com The left just got crushed A Biden presidency might essentially be over before it can begin Trump is feeling 'down,' starting to 'see this slip away' from him, CNN's Dana Bash reports