Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abidjan (Fides Service)- “It’s like living in a completely different country from the psychological point of view as well” says a local source in Bouaké, main town of northern Côte d'Ivoire since September 2002 in the hands of New Forces rebels. “Things are quiet all over the rebel controlled area, there is hardly any mention of clashes in Abidjan in the media”.
For the fourth day running Abidjan the economic capital of Côte d'Ivoire is paralysed by protest demonstrations organised by supporters of President Laurent Gbagbo despite the latter’s call yesterday 18 January to “withdraw from the streets”.
Young supporters of Gbagbo continue to preside numerous road blocks in the city. The main streets are deserted, empty of traffic: no buses or taxis, only a few cars. Many of them are stopped at the roadblocks. The Plateau the city’s business centre was deserted again this morning and here too there are road blocks manned by Gbagbo’s ‘young patriots’ supporters. About 300 of them continue a sit-in in front of the French Embassy.
Yesterday evening, after a meeting of several hours with Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, African Union president who travelled to Abidjan to try to save the peace process, Gbagbo and prime minister Charles Konan Banny called on the people to “withdraw from the streets” and “go back to work”.
The situation in Côte d'Ivoire, the world’s main producer of cacao, precipitated again after the International Work Group, charged with following the peace process between domestic factions, decided not to prolong the mandate which expired in December of the National Assembly where Gbagbo’s partisans have the majority. “They are trying to reach a compromise to guarantee Assembly members’ salary even though its activity is suspended” say local sources. “The aim is to re-launch the peace process in stages: disarmament of militia, return of state administration in rebel occupied areas, and finally elections to give stability to the country”.
Yesterday at Guiglo in western Côte d'Ivoire hundreds of the president’s supporters assaulted a UN peacekeeper base and at least three Ivorians were killed when Bangladeshi troops responded by opening fire. Later the Asian peacekeepers troops left Guiglo base and Duekué base escorted by Ivorian army soldiers. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 19/1/2006 righe 36 parole 436)
