It is the first time that Africans have overturned a fraudulent election by marching in the streets. These are scenes Africans have seen mostly on TV, the latest being from Yugoslavia. There too, the Serbian tyrant Slobodan Milosevic called an election and robbed opposition leader Vojislav Kostunica of victory. The Yugoslavs rose in revolt and ousted him, handing power to Kostunica. Observers are saying the Ivorian uprising's success is likely to strengthen pro-democracy movements on the continent.
Most folks simply lie low, emerging once in a while to complain guardedly about the electoral scam.
It is understandable - political protest in Africa is dangerous business. Heavily armed police sealed streets, and tanks were deployed around the venue. Helicopter gunships hovered menacingly over the city. The thin crowd that turned up was half-hearted and stood at a safe distance. Michael Kaggwa, the leader of the stood at the edge of the crowd.