Gbagbo Capture Sets Ivory Coast on Difficult Recovery Path

The capture of Ivory Coast’s former leader Laurent Gbagbo may mark the end of 11 years of conflict that culminated in a battle for the largest city, Abidjan, stalling the economy of the world’s largest cocoa producer.

Gbagbo, 65, was able to defy world opinion and hold onto power after his defeat in a Nov. 28 election to Alassane Ouattara because he enjoyed widespread support in the mainly Christian south, winning almost 46 percent of the national vote.