Following the disputed second-round run-off of the presidential election in Côte d'Ivoire on November 28th, 460 UN staff have been evacuated from Côte d'Ivoire to The Gambia. Prior to the second-round run-off, hardline supporters of both contenders-the incumbent, Laurent Gbagbo, and Alassane Ouattara-vowed that they would not accept their respective candidate's defeat. Positions hardened still further when the country's electoral commission and constitutional council ruled in favour of different candidates. Both candidates have declared themselves to be the winner and have been sworn in, in separate ceremonies. It is not clear how the confrontation will be resolved but it does not augur well for the stability of the country. The UN, which has a copy of all the results, has said that Mr Ouattara won a clear victory, defying the Constitutional Council's ruling. Fearing a violent response, it has cleared all non-essential staff to leave the country. By offering shelter to the evacuated staff, the Gambia has boosted its weak international reputation, profiting from its position as a relatively stable country in an unstable region.