IVORY COAST: Pro-Alassane Ouattara forces supported by French troops conduct security patrols along streets of the capital Abidjan as the UN provides much-needed medical supplies

Record ID: 181634

  • Title: IVORY COAST: Pro-Alassane Ouattara forces supported by French troops conduct security patrols along streets of the capital Abidjan as the UN provides much-needed medical supplies
  • Date: 17th April 2011
  • Summary: ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST (APRIL 16, 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF IVORY COAST'S REPUBLICAN FORCES (FRCI) AND FRENCH MILITARY PATROL IN ABIDJAN VARIOUS FRCI SOLDIERS IN A MILITARY TRUCK STREET LINED WITH CLOSED SHOPS VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS SPEAKING TO SHOPKEEPER ONLOOKERS (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRCI SOLDIER OUMAR BA, SAYING "There are people who came to threaten these shopkeepers, demanding that they pay 15 thousand CFA francs (33 U.S. dollars). So, we left them our contact numbers and in case any problems arise, they will call us. We are on patrol today until night. If anyone comes to annoy you, you have our number." VARIOUS FRCI SOLDIERS ON PATROL SOLDIERS LETTING VEHICLES THROUGH GUN FRENCH SOLDIERS ON PATROL UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND (UNICEF) AIRCRAFT ON ABIDJAN AIRPORT TARMAC BEING UNLOADED (SOUNDBITE) (French) LUDOVIC DELYS, UNICEF SENIOR EMERGENCY COORDINATOR IN IVORY COAST, SAYING "This operation is an emergency operation in order to quickly supply Abidjan with medicine, water supplies and supplies related to water sanitation, and also supplies to help revive health centres and schools." VARIOUS OF UNICEF PERSONNEL INSPECTING SUPPLIES VARIOUS OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES (SOUNDBITE) (French) LUDOVIC DELYS, UNICEF SENIOR EMERGENCY COORDINATOR IN IVORY COAST, SAYING "Today there are numerous problems with medical stockpiles. The public health pharmacy is restarting the supply of medicine to different health facilities and we are helping them with this distribution. There are numerous boxes containing medication for malaria, diarrhoea, and antibiotics. In fact, there are all kinds of medicines, a large spectrum of medical supplies to heal the population." VARIOUS OF SUPPLIES PUT ONTO TRUCK
  • Embargoed: 2nd May 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Cote d'Ivoire
  • Country: Ivory Coast
  • Topics: International Relations,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA2SDTTZOA9S7909WYGNY1MX8CG
  • Story Text: Ivory Coast's Republican Forces (FRCI) supported by French troops on Saturday (April 16) patrolled the streets of Abidjan where relative calm returned following the arrest of former President Laurent Gbagbo.
    The West African nation endured an eight-month stand-off that escalated into civil war and claimed the lives of at least 800, according to figures from the United Nations (UN). It followed the refusal from the former President to cede power after his opponent Alassane Ouattara was recognised internationally as having won the election.
    French troops, who came to the aid of pro-Ouattara forces, enabling them to capture the capital and depose Gbagbo on Monday (April 11), joined in on the security patrols during which shopkeepers were given reassurances against thuggery.
    "There are people who came to threaten these shopkeepers, demanding they pay 15 thousand CFA francs (33 U.S. dollars). So, we left them our contact numbers and in case any problems arise, they will call us. We are on patrol today until night," said Oumar Ba, an FRCI soldier.
    Gbagbo's army chiefs immediately swore allegiance to Ouattara a day after the capture of the former president, alleviating fears of post civil-war skirmishes .
    In a televised speech late on Monday (April 11), Ouattara called on Ivorians to refrain from reprisals and violence, calling for "a new era of hope."
    However, Amnesty International said in a statement on Tuesday (April 12) that despite Ouattara's call, people perceived as being Gbagbo supporters were at risk of violent reprisals.
    For weeks, Gbagbo allies had armed youth gangs with Kalashnikov rifles and urged them to defend their country. After terrorizing whole neighbourhoods, those youths are now on the losing side -- leaderless, angry and just as dangerous.
    A Gbagbo aide said only negotiations with Gbagbo's camp would spare further turmoil.
    Meanwhile, essential medical supplies landed in Ivory Coast's capital on Saturday (April 16) which the United Nations' Children's Fund (UNICEF) said will help Abidjan avert a medical crisis following weeks of heavy fighting resulting in the overthrow of strongman Laurent Gbagbo.
    "This operation is an emergency operation in order to quickly supply Abidjan with medicine, water supplies and supplies related to water sanitation, and also supplies to help revive health centres and schools," said UNCEF's Ivory Coast Emergency Coordinator, Ludivic Delys.
    Last week, relief agency Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) had warned that Abidjan's four million residents were being pushed towards a medical catastrophe and said that lack of security was the greatest threat.
    Now, as relative calm returns to the capital's streets, relief agencies can begin to disseminate the much-needed supplies to treat diseases and ailments such as malaria, diarrhoea and others.
    UNICEF said that two other aircraft laden with similar medical supplies had been dispatched to the west and centre of the country.
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