Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abidjan (Fides Service)- “We hope this Christmas will be different from the last when because of the curfew we had to celebrate midnight Mass at three in the afternoon” a local Church source in Abidjan told Fides. In 2002 following an attempted military coup Ivory Coast was plunged into a bloody civil war which led to the division of the country in two parts: the north–west controlled by the rebels and the south controlled by troops faithful to President Laurent Gbagbo.
“This year there is cautious optimism. After an agreement signed in France in January 2003 put an end to hostilities and established a national unity government, the peace process stalled when rebel ministers refused to attend government meetings to protest against President Gbagbo’s decision to appoint Home and Defence ministers without consulting other parties. Lately however the President made conciliatory statements saying he is confident that there will be a rapid conclusion of final negotiations with the rebels” the source told Fides.
But the local source advises prudence: “they must be prudent. Last year the rebels’ military leaders were ready to sign an agreement to end the war when suddenly a new ‘political wing’ of the rebels appeared laying down more conditions which stalled the talks.”. To understand better we should recall the sequence of events which led to the present situation in Ivory Coast. In September 2002 discharged soldiers failed in an attempted a coup thwarted by troops loyal to President Gbagbo. But the rebels managed to take control of the north west of the country. At first it seemed that most of the rebels were former army members anxious to be reintegrated in the regular army. Later a political leadership advanced more inclusive requests, in particular a revision of citizenship laws which discriminate against Ivorians of foreign origin. “The problem is that everyone realises that behind the so-called ‘political wing’ of the rebellion, there are non Ivorians in the shadows with their own political agenda. So the crisis is complex and calls for prudence ” the local source told Fides. “However the military leaders on both sides have almost completed a plan for disarmament and removal of road blocks between zones controlled by government troops and those in the hands of the rebels”.
There is tension also among President Gbagbo’s supporters. Local press reported on 17 December that about 250 “young patriots” (militia close to the head of state) gathered in Abidjan to march on rebel zones and take them back. The young warriors were prevented only because promised transport vehicles failed to arrive. The President has said he will make a televised speech to his supporters to calm their anger. “Besides the ‘young patriots’, there are also government army elements who advocate a military solution. Therefore the international community must remain on the alert to ensure that peace prevails” the source concluded.
(L.M.) (Fides Service 18/12/2003, lines 45 words 601 )
