Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abidjan (Agenzia Fides) - “Some damage has been done to the Nunciature. All the windows have been blown to bits from the explosions. However we are all well and we have not thought to move from here,” says Archbishop Ambrose Madtha, Apostolic Nuncio in Abidjan to Fides. Yesterday, 7 April, the Republican Forces that support President-elect Alassane Ouattara, assaulted the residence of former Presidente, Laurent Gbagbo, who refuses to recognise the electoral results from 28 November. The assualt came after violent battles. After the address by President Ouattara last night (who announced a siege on Gbagbo's residence, halting direct assault) only sporadic shots can be heard. “The Nunciature is about 200-300 meters from Gbagbo's residence. We can not move about easily, because all around there are armed men. We have water and electricity but the phone lines are cut,” says Archbishop Madtha, reached via mobile phone by Fides. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 8/4/2011)
