AFRICA/IVORY COAST - Who wants to increase tension in Ivory Coast and why?

Abidjan (Fides Service)- In Ivory Coast people are wondering who wants to increase tension and why after an incident during the night of 6 June when armed men attacked regular troops and French peacekeepers in Gohitafla (central-west), killing at least 5 government soldiers. “The army and the New Forces rebels are accusing each other of organising the attack ” local sources in Abidjan told Fides. “The rebels say it was a provocation on the part of troops loyal to President Laurent Gbagbo to justify a fresh outbreak of hostilities”. In response to the attack army helicopters shelled some areas controlled by the New Forces rebels. Since September 2002, the rebels hold the north and the west of Ivory Coast. Agreements for disarmament and reunification of the country have not been applied despite the deployment of a UN peace force of 6,000 men.
“A poisoned climate has been created in which it is difficult to say what is true and what is false” the sources told Fides. Tension is also rising in Abidjan where over recent days supporters of, President Gbagbo staged anti-France demonstrations in front of the French embassy. As a result Europeans have been advised not to leave their residence. “Today, 9 June, the situation in Abidjan is calm, but there may be new clashes any time” the sources told Fides.
At the political level, the interim government of national unity has been unable to meet for the last three months since Opposition members walked out accusing President Gbagbo of failing to implement conditions of peace a agreement signed in France in January 2003. “The opposition parties formed a united block against the President” the sources told Fides. “Some members of these parties are representatives of the rebellion pushing for a hard position with regard to the President”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 9/6/2004 righe 27 parole 335)