Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abidjan (Fides Service)-“Compared with a few days ago the situation seems to be calm , but tension is still high” local sources in the economic capital of Ivory Coast Abidjan, told Fides over the phone with the noise of French helicopters flying over the city in the background. “Europeans in Abidjan and elsewhere are being evacuated. At the moment we can see French helicopters flying over Abidjan at a height of no more than 100 metres, on the way to pick up foreign nationals stranded in various parts of the city”.
“Something seems to have changed in relations between Ivorians and the French. Even usually peaceful people are saying: ‘We and the French have eaten out of the same plate for years and now they open fire on us’. No one says anything about the Ivorian air force attack on the French peacekeepers which provoked this reaction” our sources said. The atmosphere of insecurity is affecting all Europeans and other countries are taking steps to evacuate their nationals from Ivory Coast.
“There would seem to be no quick way to overcome the crisis. A definitive break with France would trigger economic chaos. Ivorian economy has a tight bond with Paris which cannot be severed at a moment’s notice. There could be a gradual detachment and research for new economic partners but this would take time and would require political stability” our sources say.
Fides sources say that in Korhogo, in the northern region controlled by the New Forces rebels, the situation at the moment is calm although the rebels are on the alert in case of a government attack any moment. In that area water and electricity supplies and telephone connections are still cut off. There is no news of the front line town of Bouake from where French peacekeepers withdrew after the Ivorian airforce strike.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers has voiced serious concern with regard to the deterioration of the situation in Ivory Coast from where at least three thousand people have fled to neighbouring Liberia. Lubbers warned that escalating violence could have an impact on neighbouring countries, particularly Liberia, struggling to recover from 14 years of civil war. Only last month the UN High Commission for Refugees UNHCR started an impressive programme to repatriate about 340,000 Liberian refugees from various west African countries, including 70,000 in Ivory Coast mainly sheltered by local people and about 8,000 in two refugee camps. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 11/11/2004 righe 39 parole 475)
