Here we go again. Presidential elections held in Ivory Coast last week has descended into farce like elections tend to do in Africa. According to the UN, the African Union and rest of the world elections were won by Alassane Ouattare, who got 54% of votes, but the current President, Laurent Gbagbo refused to recognise the results and got the Constitutional Council, staffed by his friends, to cancel votes caste in 7 northern departments thus making him the victor with 51% of votes. Former President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki has flown over at the request of the African Union which does not fill one with confidence. This is the man whose support has allowed Robert Mugabe to hang on to power in Zimbabwe with disastrous results. In September, 2002 former President of Ivory Coast Robert Guei was killed and his body was shown lying on the streets and Outtare had to take shelter in the French Embassy. Is Gbagbo terrified of relinquishing power in case he ends up like Guei whose death has been laid at his door? Come to power by deposing your predecessor, hang on to power by dispatching opponents and then spend the rest of your life trying desperately to hang on somehow to save your miserable skin. Wonder what Abhisit Vejjajiva will do with the slaughter of Red Shirt protesters hanging around his neck. It is much more civilised in India. Politicians of all gangs have an unwritten understanding that no one should be punished for crimes. The gang in power loots the country and uses police to charge opponents with various crimes mainly for point scoring. It is all strategy to win the next elections and continue to loot. The people watch helpless.