Violence spreads in Ivory Coast

Fighting between gunmen seeking to oust Ivory Coast incumbent Laurent Gbagbo and security troops has spread to new areas of Abidjan.

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Abidjan - Explosions rocked a southern Abidjan suburb overnight and on Wednesday, as fighting between insurgents seeking to oust Ivory Coast's Laurent Gbagbo and security forces spread to new areas of the main city.

Residents of Koumassi said the gunfire had stopped by early afternoon and some people were venturing outside their houses but at least two people had been killed in the shooting.

Security in the country is deteriorating, with gun battles between rival forces most of last week and hostilities resuming across a north-south ceasefire line that had been largely quiet since a 2002-2003 war ended in stalemate.

Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa grower, has been in turmoil since a disputed November election between Gbagbo and his rival Alassane Ouattara, who won the poll according to UN-certified results that Gbagbo has refused to accept.

“It was hot this morning between the soldiers and the youths of the “Campement” neighbourhood who were armed,” said Martin Kolia, a telephone seller in Koumassi.

“But things have got quieter this afternoon. We are not hearing any more shooting and people are starting to come out of their houses to move around the neighbourhood,” he added.

Abou Traore, a Koumassi resident, said he saw two bodies of civilians who had killed by stray bullets.

As with other clashes, it was not possible to get a toll for the fighting.

Aside from some clashes in Adjame, which is closer to the central business district, most of the clashes have been restricted to northern pro-Ouattara suburb of Abobo.

An insurgent force calling itself the invisible commandos has seized control of most of Abobo and forced out pro-Gbagbo security forces.

On Tuesday, youth supporters of Gbagbo's rampaged through the business district of Abidjan, pillaging shops owned by foreigners.

The supporters, who are known as “Young Patriots” and have frequently targeted foreigners over the years, have also stepped up attacks UN peacekeepers since a call by their leader at the weekend to stop UN forces from moving around the country. - Reuters

Source: http://www.iol.co.za/violence-spreads-in-ivory-coast-1.1035210

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