Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abidjan (Fides Service) - There is rising tension in Ivory Coast where rumours of possible military coups and attacks on public officials make it difficult to imagine how the situation will evolve in the next few days. “The withdrawal from the interim national unity government of ministers members of the Democratic Party PDCI, triggered a series of reciprocal suspicion fanned by voices in the street ”, local Church sources Abidjan told Fides. In this context, tension increased after President Laurent Gbagbo’s party accused the PDCI of plotting a military coup with New Forces rebels. New Forces comprises the different rebel movements which took control of the north and east of the country in September 2002. The PDCI is the Party of the “father of the fatherland” Félix Houphouët-Boigny which opposes President Gbagbo but accepted to be part of the interim national unity government stipulated by the peace agreement signed in France which an end to civil war.
“For the moment there is no confirmation of the rumoured coup” local sources told Fides, “but the apparent situation of calm is charged with tension”. “The PDCI explained the withdrawal of its ministers from the government as a form of protest against the President” our sources said. “The Party leaders accuse the President of failing to respect decisions reached by the government. The rebels the north back this charge launched by the PDCI, and this may have led the President’s Party to suspect that the rebels and the Opposition plan to take power with force”.
Tension was also sparked by public demonstrations. Last week a large group of university students attacked newly appointed magistrates who had just taken part in the swearing in ceremony at the Palace of Justice in Abidjan while others staged a demonstration in front of the hotel in Abidjan where the New Forces government ministers reside”. “In the face of these episodes there is growing fear among the ordinary people that the rule of law is being eroded” local sources told Fides.
The country is awaiting the arrival of a continent of UN peacekeepers contingent sent by the United Nations Security Council. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 15/3/2004, righe 31 parole 401)
