Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abidjan (Fides Service) - There is a blackout of information in Ivory Coast. “People in government controlled areas have little chance of finding out what is happening in northern part of the country where New Forces rebel positions are being bombed by the national airforce” a local source in the economic capital Abidjan, told Fides. “National television, in the hands of President Gbagbo’s party, is silent with regard to military operations. Opposition newspapers have disappeared and FM transmission of BBC and Radio France International radio broadcasts has been suspended and can only be heard on short wave radios”. A few days ago “young patriots” supporters of President Gbagbo, raided newspaper stands and shops confiscating Opposition newspapers. Yesterday, 5 November, the headquarters of the main Opposition Party led by Alassane Ouattara was attacked.
Fides tried repeatedly to contact sources in rebel-controlled areas but telephone lines have been cut. “In rebel areas besides telephone lines, also water and electricity supplies which come from government controlled areas have been cut and supplies of fuel and basic necessities have been stopped. The situation is ever more critical especially for hospitals” sources in Abidjan told Fides. “This is obviously all part of a plan to isolate rebel areas in view of a final attack on the New Forces,” our source said. “The military operation was prepared in broad daylight. The international community saw the government army rearming, despite the presence of 4,000 French troops and thousands more sent by the United Nations”.
“Although at the moment it would seem that there are no fighter helicopters taking off to strike the north, the situation is tense and there are rebel and government infiltrators in the no man’s land controlled by international peacekeepers which lies between the warring parties” the source told Fides.
Yesterday government forces launched air strikes on several rebel held towns (see Fides 5 November 2004). A rebel spokesman said that at least 11 people were killed. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 6/11/2004 righe 33 parole 412)
