Global General

Tensions mount in Cote d'Ivoire amid int'l concern

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-04-03 17:06

ABIDJAN - Tensions has gripped Cote d'Ivoire in the last few days despite a UN resolution demanding an end to violence against civilians and imposing sanctions on Laurent Gbagbo.

Artillery fire was heard around the presidential palace in Cote d'Ivoire's economic capital Abidjan at midday Saturday in the fiercest fighting over control of the world's top cocoa producer in West Africa.

Fighting entered the second day on Saturday, centering on the presidential palace in Abidjan's administrative district of Plateau and the presidential residence in the posh district of Cocody.

While Cote d'Ivoire's incumbent Laurent Gbagbo vows to fight a final battle in his last bastions, his presidential rival Alassane Ouattara expects the duel to end in the coming days.

A spokesman for Gbagbo made his first appearance on state TV on Saturday after the resumption of its broadcasts, calling on troops loyal to Gbagbo to resist the military offensive in Abidjan.

In a televised address, military spokesman Lt. Col. Alphonse Guano asked security forces to rally behind Gbagbo to repel the advancing Republican Forces backing the internationally recognized president Ouattara.

The state TV station controlled by Gbagbo suspended broadcasts amid fighting on Friday, with Ouattara's men declaring control and sources close to Gbagbo denying it.

Despite the blitz by Republican Forces since Monday, some observers say Gbagbo still enjoys the loyalty of thousands of elite troops, including the Republican Guard. The well-equipped troops vow to win the final victory in the Abidjan battle.

The ongoing war between the rival forces broke out in December amid the political standoff following the November 28 presidential run-off. Gbagbo rejected calls for handing over power to Ouattara.

The UN mission in Cote d'Ivoire (ONUCI) said on Saturday 330 people were killed in the western town of Duekoue, mostly by the forces backing Ouattara.

The reports came one day after the United Nations human rights office urged Ouattara, the internationally recognized winner of the November 28 presidential run-off election, to rein in his forces. ONUCI also reported that more than 100 victims died at the hands of mercenaries of Gbagbo.

The deaths add to the toll of about 500 reported by the UN in the post-election violence in Cote d'Ivoire.

Earlier Saturday, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that "at least 800 persons were killed on March 29 in Duekoue in intercommunal violence."

Duekoue is the gateway to almost all of the southern regions under Gbagbo's control, especially to the political capital Yamoussoukro and the town of San Pedro, the main cocoa-exporting port.

Supporters of Ouattara said in a statement that mass graves were found in the west of the country, especially in Toulepleu, Blolequin and Guiglo.

Ouattara's Republican Forces have been getting the upper hand since they launched a military blitz on Monday, with his generals expecting an end to the war within days.

Abidjan, the largest city in the country, has become the main battleground in the past two days, with rival forces fighting around the presidential palace and presidential residence, the last stronghold for Gbagbo.

The country last witnessed a civil war between 2002 and 2003, which divided the territory in two with the pro-Gbagbo forces controlling the south and the ex-rebel New Forces now allied with Ouattara holding the north.

ONUCI said in a statement on Friday that at least five soldiers loyal to Gbagbo died after attacking the UN peacekeepers in Abidjan near the South African embassy, where the head of the pro-Gbagbo Defense and Security Forces (FDS), Gen. Philippe Mangou, took refuge on Wednesday.

ONUCI has reported several attacks on its forces from Gbagbo's camp, which accuses the UN mission of colluding with Ouattara.

Gbagbo, who also claims to have won the November 28 election, has demanded the departure of the UN and French forces from Cote d'Ivoire.

China has expressed concerns about the current security situation in Cote d'Ivoire and called on all parties in the country to act on a recent U.N. resolution.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in a statement on Friday that China has always advocated a peaceful solution to Cote d'Ivoire's post-election crisis, while urging the country to take concrete measures to protect its civilians and foreign nationals.

Since February, the Chinese embassy in Cote d'Ivoire has issued a number of alerts for Chinese nationals and companies in the country, suggesting they leave on regular flights or by using other means of transport.

Currently, the number of Chinese in Cote d'Ivoire, has dropped to around 600 from 1,300, and the Chinese embassy said it would continue to provide necessary assistance to Chinese citizens there.

The UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution on Wednesday demanding an end to violence against civilians in Cote d'Ivoire. It also decided to adopt targeted sanctions against Gbagbo, his wife and three of his associates.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Friday repeated his calls for Cote d'Ivoire incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo to step down and hand over power to Ouattara.

Ban told a press conference in Nairobi on Friday night that only Gbagbo's removal will end the violence that cost the life of a UN civilian staff member Zahra Abidi, who was killed by a stray bullet while at her home on Thursday.