Abidjan (Fides Service) - "Unfortunately the political situation in Ivory Coast is still at a standstill" missionaries in Abidjan tell Fides Service. " Rebel representatives refused to attend a second cabinet meeting on March 20 (see Fides 20 March 2003) under the pretext that there was no guarantee of security. This meant that the nine ministerial positions reserved for the rebels were not assigned and, what is more serious, this has led to a situation of impasse which could lead to new hostilities. The impression we have is that the rebels do not seriously intend to be part of this government".
The civil conflict in Ivory Coast broke out in September 2002 when a military led coup was put down by force faithful to president Laurent Gbago. However the rebels took control of most of the northern region of country and formed the Ivory Coast Patriotic Movement which was joined by two other groups operating in the west of the country Movement for Justice and Peace and Ivory Peoples Movement of the Great West.
It is in the west that the situation is most serious. Local missionaries contacted by Fides Service say "unfortunately we see something we all feared: ethnic clashes. Yacouba and Guerer tribes are fighting each other with all the consequences of violence of all sorts on civilians. Moreover Liberian mercenaries are flanking both rebels and regular army. Civilians say the mercenaries are mainly responsible for violence and sacking."
A positive fact was a visit to Bouake by Bishop Paul Simeon Ahouanan Djoro of Yamoussoukro. Bouake is the main city of the rebel controlled north. The Bishop said Mass in the cathedral and met the local Catholics. He also had a meeting with rebel leaders who asked the Church to continue to work for national reconciliation. LM (Fides Service 27/3/2003 EM lines 27 Words: 321)