THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE PERSON ABOUT AFRICA SPEAKS

Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo lost re-election but has retained his office by the simple expedient of refusing to admit defeat. So far his strategy is working, although it's led to hundreds of deaths and possibly a civil war.

The United Nations says the election was fair; Gbagbo lost and must step down.

The African Union says the election was fair; Gbagbo lost and must step down.

The U.S. State Department says the election was fair; Gbagbo lost and must step down.

Oklahoman U.S. Senator James Inhofe disagrees.

Inhofe, who has visited Ivory Coast and knows Gbagbo personally, says the president didn't lose the election. Inhofe says the election was fraudulent and should be done over. Inhofe says, "I am probably the most knowledgeable person about Africa in the U.S. Senate."

And he should know. He's James Inhofe.