AFRICA/IVORY COAST - REBELS REJECT 15 DECEMBER DISARMAMENT DATE PROPOSED BY PRESIDENT GBAGBO. MISSIONARIES ASK FOR PRAYERS THAT CHRISTMAS MAY BRING PEACE AT LAST

Friday, 5 December 2003

Abidjan (Fides Service)- “Listening to recent declarations by President Laurent Gbagbo, peace would appear to be within reach. But the rebels are still diffident and in my opinion the situation will not be settled immediately” a missionary in Bouake, main city in Ivory Coast and headquarters of the New Forces rebels, told Fides. On December 4 President Gbagbo officially announced the end of the civil war which started in September 2002. The President was meeting in Yamoussoukro with army leaders and leaders of the New Forces and the French peacekeeping. At the end of the meeting the President said, for the first time, that he would fully implement the peace agreement signed in France in January 2003. Gbagbo also announced that all the different armed groups in the country would start disarming and demobilising on December 15. But on December 5, the rebels denied that they had agreed to the date set by the President. The New Forces leaders said that the delegates sent to talk at Yamoussoukro were not delegated to make a decision of this kind.
“The rebels say the date is too close” the missionary told Fides. “A major problem now, is how to rehabilitate thousands of young military who will have no jobs when they return to civilian life.”
“The rebels still do not trust the President. They say that in the past there were too many broken promises. This is why they prefer to take an attitude of prudence” the missionary told Fides. “Another element which increase diffidence on the part of the rebel leaders, is the fact that Gbagbo’s statements come on the eve of his visit to France. Many fear this is only a make-up operation so he can present himself in Paris with his papers in order.”
“With regard to the actual situation, Bouake is quiet, but we have lost contact with a few villages in the de-militarised zone occupied recently by ‘young patriots’ (militia of the president’s party) with the support of the regular army which intervened with armoured” the missionary told Fides. The demilitarised zone separates the government forces from the rebels forces and it is under the control of the French army contingent. “I know some of the soldiers which have occupied the zone. They are sure they can take back Bouake with force. Here we call ‘go to war’, those who want war at all costs without thinking of the consequences” the missionary told Fides. “The military say the only obstacle to taking the occupied zones back from the rebels are the French troops. The latter, they say, supports the rebels. Whereas the reason they are here is to prevent a new outbreak of hostilities and more victims, nearly always civilians ”.
“Nevertheless we still believe in peace. We hope that promises made will be kept and that a date for disarmament will be agreed on. I would ask for prayers from everyone that Christmas 2003 will bring peace at last back to Ivory Coast”. (L.M.) (Fides Service 5/12/2003 lines 42 words 542)


Share: