vory Coast: Fierce Clashes In Abidjan
7:05pm UK, Friday April 01, 2011
Fierce fighting has turned Ivory Coast's largest city into a war zone, as the country's president refuses to step down after losing an election.
Troops loyal to Laurent Gbagbo have clashed with forces seeking to install presidential rival Alassane Ouattara - the man named by UN-certified results as the rightful winner of the November 28 election.
The heaviest clashes have centred around the state television station in Abidjan, which went off the air after it was attacked by pro-Ouattara forces. They now claim to have seized control of the building.
Heavy weapons fire could also be heard from near Mr Gbagbo's residence and presidential palace, both of which have come under attack, as well as two military bases.
Threats from looters have seen hundreds of foreigners taken to a French military camp, amid reports of massive looting sprees in Abidjan's leafy Deux Plateau suburb.
Mr Gbagbo has refused to step down after losing November's election
United Nations helicopters have also been seen circling above the the city, but have so far not intervened.
However, the peacekeeping mission has confirmed its headquarters were fired on by Gbagbo's special forces on Thursday, and that they returned fire in an exchange lasting about three hours.
French officials have also said a French language teacher has been found shot dead in a hotel room in the city of Yamoussoukro. It is not known whether the teacher was targeted for his nationality, or whether the death was as a result of the ongoing violence.
Hundreds of people have been killed in violence since the election, reigniting the civil war of 2002-3.
Earlier this week, Mr Ouattara's forces advanced from several directions, taking the capital, Yamoussoukro, and the cocoa port of San Pedro with little resistance.
Pro-Ouattara forces on patrol
They are now in charge of an estimated 80% of the troubled West African country.
Journalist Monica Mark, in Abidjan, told Sky News: "The chief of the army has defected and the regime is crumbling.
"Mr Gbagbo has adopted a scorched earth policy and handed out weapons to thousands of young followers so his successor will have to deal with that security issue."
In power since 2000, Mr Gbagbo's mandate ran out in 2005, but the presidential election was delayed until 2010 because of instability in the country.
A Sorbonne-educated history professor, he rose to prominence as firebrand lecturer who challenged the autocratic rule of Ivory Coast's first post-independence president.
The conflict has forced around a million people to flee Abidjan and some 112,000 others have crossed into Liberia, to the west, according to the UN.
Former northern rebels from the civil war now back Mr Ouattara
Residents across the city said the state broadcaster stopped transmitting at 10.45pm on Thursday after repeatedly showing images of Mr Gbagbo and his close entourage. Mr Gbagbo has been due to speak on state media for days.
Fears remain for ongoing instability as opposing forces seek to control Abidjan in the coming days.
"Although Mr Ouattara has tried to distance himself from insurgents they have contributed with his rise to power and he has to grapple with those factions who want a slice of the pie for helping bringing him into power," Miss Mark said.
A Foreign Office spokesperson condemned the clashes.
"We are gravely concerned by the violence that continues to occur in Abidjan and deplore any loss of life. We call on all sides to exercise restraint. Reports of human rights violations must be investigated and those responsible held to account."
:: Save the Children have evacuated three members of their international staff from Abidjan, amid escalating violence.
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Friday, April 1, 2011
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