Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abidjan (Fides Service)- Thousands of pro-government demonstrators have formed a protective barrier around the Presidential Residence in Abidjan, local Church sources told Fides. “They support President Laurent Gbagbo and want to prevent French troops from taking control of the residence,” the sources told Fides. “Yesterday at about 4pm local time, most of the French armoured vehicles in the area of the Hotel Ivoire, about one kilometre from the President’s Residence, withdrew to barracks and only a small group moved near to the Hotel Gulf”.
The situation remains tense after at least 7 people were killed yesterday, November 9, in clashes with the French troops in front of Hotel Ivoire.
Also yesterday South African president Thabo Mbeki, in Ivory Coast to mediate a peaceful solution to the crisis, had a meeting with President Gbagbo. Mr Mbeki has invited the warring parties, the New Forces rebels which control the north of Ivory Coast since 2002 and government troops loyal President Laurent Gbagbo which control the south, to negotiations which could start this week.
The Catholic Bishops of Ivory Coast issued a statement on the situation in which they expressed sympathy with the families of those killed in the violence of the past few days and called on the country’s political leaders to “make every effort to restore peace for which we all long”. They also appealed to French nationals: “in the name of Jesus Christ, to our French brothers and sisters to urge their national leaders to help Ivory Coast remain a free and sovereign country”.
In the meantime most regions of the country are isolated and communication is impossible. “In this situation we an only admire our missionaries determined not the leave the people at this difficult time” the local Church sources told Fides. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 10/11/2004 righe 31 parole 372)
