AFRICA/IVORY COAST - Bloody suppression of an opposition rally; "The population is suffering, but no agreement has been reached to end the country's political stalemate," say local sources

Gagnoa (Agenzia Fides) – "Police and civil guard forces are controlling the city and the situation is calm," Fides was told by local sources from Gagnoa, in southwestern Ivory Coast, where yesterday, 19 February, an opposition rally ended with bloodshed. "The demonstration had not been authorized by the authorities and the police dispersed them by force, even with the use of firearms. There are at least 5 dead," said sources of Fides, which for security reasons do not wish to be named.
The tension in Ivory Coast has arisen since, February 12, when President Laurent Gbagbo fired the government of national unity and the Independent Electoral Commission. Gbagbo has commissioned the incumbent Prime Minister Guillaume Soro (leader of the New Forces, former guerrillas who control the north of the country) to form a new government.
Yesterday, the coalition of major opposition parties, RHDP (Rassemblement des Houphouétistes pour la Démocratie et la Paix), in a statement called for "Gbagbo's resignation from his duties as Head of State of Ivory Coast and immediate restoration of the Independent Electoral Commission with all its rights."
Gbagbo has dismissed the Independent Electoral Commission for contrasts on the formation of electoral lists. One of the main reasons for the Ivorian political crisis concerning the status of millions of people who have lived for years in the country, or were born there, but who are of foreign origin. Are they Ivorians? And therefore, must they be included on the list of voters or not? It is clear that the inclusion in the lists of hundreds of thousands if not millions, may determine the outcome of elections.
"We are very concerned about the political stalemate that has lasted too long. The population is suffering, because the economy is in serious trouble. Unfortunately, politicians do not listen to the calls that come from many quarters, including from the Church, they may find a solution to the crisis," conclude Fides sources. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 20/2/2010)