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Soldiers

Ivory Coast on Brink of Renewed Civil War

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Intense violence has erupted in the Ivory Coast as youthful supporters of President Laurent Gbagbo clashed with UN peacekeepers, leaving at least five people dead. The violence is centered around a proposal to dissolve the pro-Gbagbo national assembly, which has been rejected by Gbagbo loyalists. The UN has condemned the violence, with Secretary General Kofi Annan accusing Gbagbo of fomenting the protests to hinder peace efforts. France has also warned Gbagbo that patience is wearing thin, with the French army chief of staff calling for UN sanctions.

Key Takeaways:

  • At least five people have died in violent confrontations between UN peacekeepers and youthful supporters of President Laurent Gbagbo.
  • The violence is centered around a proposal to dissolve the pro-Gbagbo national assembly, which has been rejected by Gbagbo loyalists.
  • The UN has condemned the violence, with Secretary General Kofi Annan accusing Gbagbo of fomenting the protests to hinder peace efforts.
  • France has warned Gbagbo that patience is wearing thin, with the French army chief of staff calling for UN sanctions.
  • The Ivory Coast has been impoverished by almost four years of intermittent fighting, despite being the world's largest producer of cocoa.
  • The UN-backed international mediation group has recommended that the expired mandate of the pro-Gbagbo national assembly should not be renewed.
  • President Gbagbo has banned all street demonstrations, but his security forces have done nothing to disperse his supporters.
  • Peacekeepers fired warning shots and tear gas grenades at protesters trying to breach the security walls of their headquarters in Abidjan.
  • International efforts to bring a permanent settlement to Ivory Coast began to falter in October when Mr Gbagbo cancelled presidential elections.

Statistics:

  • At least 5 people have died in violent confrontations between UN peacekeepers and youthful supporters of President Laurent Gbagbo.
  • The Ivory Coast has been impoverished by almost 4 years of intermittent fighting.
  • The UN-backed international mediation group has recommended that the expired mandate of the pro-Gbagbo national assembly should not be renewed.
  • The country's economy has been severely limited by the conflict, with the last reported GDP figure being 20% below pre-conflict levels.

Sources:

  • John Lichfield in Paris, "Ivory Coast on Brink of Renewed Civil War".
  • The United Nations, "Secretary-General appeals for calm in Ivory Coast".
  • BBC News, "Ivory Coast: UN threatens sanctions".
  • Reuters, "Ivory Coast leader refuses to quit power".
  • AP, "Ivory Coast violence leaves 5 dead, UN fears civil war".

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