Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abidjan (Fides Service) - A clash between factions of the same rebel group which controls the northern part of Ivory Coast is at the basis of the death of Adam Couliby, one of the main leaders of the Ivorian militia killed 8 February at Korhogo in the far north of Ivory Coast. Local Church sources report that a mission, the name we will not disclose for security reasons, was attacked during the night of February 9 by a gang of armed men. “We are all well. The attacker came during the night, breaking down the door. They threatened and beat us and forced us to give them the little money we had at the mission. Then they closed us in a room and left. Fifteen minutes later we were rescued by French soldiers present in the city to monitor the cease-fire agreement. After the attack at the mission the French troops decided to take over security for the city. In fact the rebels now divided among themselves, can no longer guarantee order in the city. The men who attacked the mission were members of the faction led by Adam Couliby. Having lost their leader the men wanted to get out of Korhogo and they were looking for money” the Missionary told Fides.
At the political level, Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo has voiced satisfaction with regard to talks with France during his recent visit to Paris. Local sources in Abidjan, told Fides that President Gbagbo said divergences between the two countries had been overcome and that now they must look to the future to restore lasting peace in Ivory Coast.
Paris has assured Ivory Coast that it will support requests for economic help presented by the African country to international financial institutions, World Bank, International Monetary Fund. The French government also promised the sustain the disarmament of the Ivorian factions, and to pressure the UN Security Council to send peace keepers to Ivory Coast to monitor the disarmament operations.
“Disarmament is an essential condition for brining the country out of the crisis which broke in September 2002” Fides sources say. “Unless the factions are disarmed there can be no elections, scheduled for 2005, not even an electoral campaign. In fact the Constitution prohibits elections when the country is divided or in a state of public disorder ”.
A detailed plan for disarmament has been elaborated, with times and manner of consignment of light and heavy weapons but until the United Nations Peacekeepers are deployed the operation cannot start. The various factions in Ivory Coast have said they will hand in weapons only to a neutral party. (L.M.) )( Fides Service 10/2/2004 lines 41 words 520)
