- Title: FRANCE: Worried Ivorian community in France watches events unfold in Ivory Coast
- Date: 18th December 2010
- Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (DECEMBER 17, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CHATEAU D'EAU AREA, NORTH OF PARIS, HOME TO A SUBSTANTIAL IVORIAN COMMUNITY (SOUNDBITE) (French) OUARME ALI, IVORIAN STUDENT RECENTLY EXILED FROM ABIDJAN SAYING: "It's terrible, we are worried, and it's a shame for Africa again. This time, we thought we were at last able to get a democratic system going again, everyone was seeing these first elections in ten years as a real hope, as a way to exit the crisis, and here we are, now Gbagbo refuses to leave despite the fact that he has lost. It's a shame, we are very worried for our relatives and friends over there, we don't know who is dead, we are really extremely worried." (SOUNDBITE) (French) OUARME ALI, IVORIAN STUDENT RECENTLY EXILED FROM ABIDJAN SAYING: "The UN peacekeepers and France have to act now and not only diplomatically, they have to act to stop this situation that suits no one there." PEOPLE WALKING ON PARIS STREET IN THE CHATEAU D'EAU AREA (SOUNDBITE) (French) FLORE, WOMAN FROM CAMEROON, SAYING: "We will find a way out if neither France nor the international community will interfere. Let Africans deal with their own affairs. We are not kids who have to be told what they have to do." PEOPLE WALKING IN CHATEAU D'EAU AREA POLICE CAR PARKED IN FRONT OF IVORY COAST EMBASSY IN 16TH DISTRICT OF PARIS SIGN SAYING EMBASSY IS CLOSED FOR TWO DAYS BECAUSE OF POST-ELECTORAL DISRUPTIONS SIGN SAYING "EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF IVORY COAST" OTHER SIGN SAYING EMBASSY IS CLOSED DUE TO POST-ELECTORAL DISRUPTIONS FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER MICHELE ALLIOT-MARIE WALKING UP TO MICROPHONE CAMERAWOMAN FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (French) MICHELE ALLIOT-MARIE, FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER, SAYING: "It's now necessary that Mr Gbagbo gives the power to Mr Ouattara. We are watching very carefully what is going on. I have already mentioned my fear of seeing blood running in the streets. I think Ivorians have to be reunited, to be united, to be able to relaunch the economy of their country. That's the reason why it's necessary now, without delay, that all the legitimate elements are given to Mr Ouattara." FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER MICHELE ALLIOT-MARIE AND SPANISH COUNTERPART TRINIDAD JIMENEZ LEAVING ROOM
- Embargoed: 2nd January 2011 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: France, France
- Country: France
- Topics: Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA6T29DCFLMXZUGNLE1D04J143O
- Story Text: A day after partisans of both political leaders fought in the streets of Abidjan leaving at least 10 dead and at the eve of new demonstrations, the exiled Ivorian community in Paris was watching latest developments unfold with increased anxiety on Friday (December 17), amid worries about how long political turmoil in the African nation would last.
Some people said that for them it was a sign that Africa was unable to deal with its domestic affairs.
"It's terrible, we are worried, and it's a shame on Africa again. This time we thought we were at last able to reset a democratic system, everyone was seeing these first elections in ten years as a real hope, as a way to exit the crisis, and here we are, now Gbagbo refuses to leave despite the fact that he has lost. It's a shame, we are very worried for our relatives and friends over there, we don't know who is dead, we are really extremely worried," said Ouarme Ali, an Ivorian studying in Paris. He left Abidjan less than a year ago, fearful of the violence in the country.
The UN, many neighbouring African countries and France, Ivory Coast's former colonial ruler, have been increasingly focused on the situation in the country, fearing more disruption each day.
"The UN peace-keepers and France have to act now and not only diplomatically, they have to act to stop this situation that suits no one there," Ali added.
Others felt the best thing the international community could do was to mind its own business.
"We will find a way out if nor France nor the international community interfere. Let Africans deal with their own affairs! We are not kids who have to be told what they have to do," says Flore, a woman from Cameroon.
In Paris, the Ivory Coast embassy has closed its doors for 48 hours due to the post-electoral disruptions.
Welcoming her Spanish counterpart at the French Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Michele Alliot-Marie expressed her concern about the situation in Ivory Coast and reiterated her will to see Mr Gbagbo hand power to Mr Ouattara.
"It's now necessary that Mr Gbagbo hands power to Mr Ouattara. We are watching very carefully what is going on. I have already mentioned my fear of seeing blood running in the streets. I think Ivorians have to be reunited, to be united, to be able to relaunch the economy of their country. That's the reason why it's necessary now, without delay, that all the legitimate elements are given to Mr Ouattara," Alliot-Marie said. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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