Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abidjan (Agenzia Fides) – “At the moment we are not hearing any more gunshots coming from the districts of Abobo and Adjamé, in Abidjan, where security forces loyal to the outgoing President Laurent Gbagbo and former rebel New Forces close to President-elect, Alassane Ouattara are engaged in battle.” This report to Fides comes from the local Church in Abidjan, the economic capital of Cote d'Ivoire. Other sources indicate, however, there are clashes in the southern district of Koumassi. Abobo, considered the stronghold of Ouattara's supporters, is located in the north.
The fighting has forced most of the inhabitants of the two districts to leave their homes. “At least three other parishes in the districts of Abidjan have welcomed displaced people from districts where the supporters of Gbagbo and those of Ouattara are involved in clashes,” said Fides' sources. “The number of displaced persons varies from a few dozen to about 500 people per parish.”
Meanwhile, our sources say, the situation improves for people welcomed on 16 December at the Parish of St Therese of the Infant Jesus of Duékoué in the Diocese of Man, whose numbers dropped from 15,000 to 6,000. Pope Benedict XVI had sent money to help care for these people (see Fides 5/02/2011).
The institutional and political conflict is having a devastating impact on the national economy. Sources of Fides state: “most banks are closed, preventing citizens to withdraw their savings for ordinary expenses. The embargo on selling cocoa, imposed on Cote d'Ivoire by the European Union as a form of pressure to force Gbagbo to resign, is making its effects felt. Some Ivorian manufacturers are forced to sell their cocoa harvest below cost in Burkina Faso, and from there it is then routed to the ports of Liberia or Ghana to reach international markets.” (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 2/3/2011)
