Incumbent Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo was effectively removed from power April 5, following an April 4 intervention by French and U.N. peacekeepers that allowed pro-Alassane Ouattara forces to surround the Ivorian leader. Gbagbo is holed up in a bunker in central Abidjan, isolated from his security chiefs who have sought peace terms and U.N. peacekeeper protection. Negotiators are pressuring Gbagbo to formally relinquish power and to recognize opposition leader and internationally recognized President Ouattara as the rightful Ivorian leader. Pro-Ouattara forces comprised of the Republican Forces of Ivory Coast (FRCI) and the irregular "Invisible Forces" occupy Abidjan, while the French and U.N. peacekeepers patrol to restrain reprisal violence and looting. Gbagbo will likely not be permitted to emerge from his bunker until he formally surrenders power. Ouattara is expected to emerge from his base at the Golf Hotel in Abidjan once his position as president is no longer contested.
