IVORY COAST: The streets of Abidjan fall quiet, as fears grow of further violence in a planned demonstration
Record ID:
1533808
IVORY COAST: The streets of Abidjan fall quiet, as fears grow of further violence in a planned demonstration
- Title: IVORY COAST: The streets of Abidjan fall quiet, as fears grow of further violence in a planned demonstration
- Date: 18th December 2010
- Summary: VARIOUS OF PEOPLE READING NEWSPAPER HEADLINES
- Embargoed: 2nd January 2011 10:42
- Keywords:
- Location: Cote d'Ivoire
- Country: Cote d'Ivoire
- Topics: Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA283ZSHNHVCOCRX2MVSEGF230A
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Supporters of presidential claimant Alassane Ouattara urged Ivorians to come together in a march on Friday (December 17) through Abidjan in a bid to seize the state broadcaster's building.
This raised fears of further violence in the streets of Ivory Coast which have ensued since the aggressively disputed November 28 election.
The streets of Abidjan remained dormant in the early hours of the day apprehensive of potential violence. Shops remained shut and little traffic passed in the streets.
''The activities have completely stopped as no one can call anyone to work, all the clients are hiding at home and you can see that stores are closed. Even if I had work to do I need some equipment but all shops are closed. How can I have a client if I cannot buy the equipment?'' said local resident Euphem Gueyes.
At least 10 protesters were killed on Thursday (December 16) in a similar attempt to occupy the building when Outtara's camp clashed with armed security forces. In central Abidjan pro-Ouattara forces engaged in brief gun battle with Laurent Gbagbo backers.
The success of Gbagbo's forces in repelling the march on state TV and radio on Thursday indicates his influence on key parts of the armed forces is still firm. This includes the presidential guard which witnesses said played a major role in the deadly clashes.
Gbagbo's government spokeswoman said at least 20 people were killed in the incident, 10 of them demonstrators and 10 security forces.
Ouattara's rival government claimed security forces had killed 14 protesters when they opened fire on them.
Gbagbo's camp has alleged that some of the protesters were armed, while Ouattara's allies have cited the presence of armed Liberian militias in Abidjan attacking demonstrators. Both sides deny the allegations of the other camp.
The local U.N. peacekeeping force will be under scrutiny if the situation deteriorates. The United Nations has about 10,000 soldiers and police in the country. The force has a mandate to protect civilians but said its job was not to protect the march.
Separately, a top-level African Union delegation is set to arrive in Abidjan on Friday (December 17) with the aim of holding discussions with both sides on the crisis. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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