News / Africa

3 UN Vehicles Burned in Ivory Coast

Ivorian students protest near a burnt U.N. vehicle during a demonstration at the junction of Riviera 2 in Abidjan, 13 Jan 2011
Ivorian students protest near a burnt U.N. vehicle during a demonstration at the junction of Riviera 2 in Abidjan, 13 Jan 2011
TEXT SIZE - +

The United Nations says three U.N. vehicles in Ivory Coast have been attacked and burned by youths loyal to incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo.

A spokesman for the U.N. mission in Ivory Coast, Kenneth Blackman, says the attack occurred Thursday in the Riviera district of the main city, Abidjan.  There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The U.N. and other international bodies want Mr. Gbagbo to cede power to rival Alassane Ouattara, who most countries recognize as the winner of November's presidential election.

Mr. Gbagbo has refused and ordered U.N. peacekeepers to leave the country -- an order the U.N. has rejected, saying Mr. Gbagbo is no longer Ivory Coast's president.

Fighting between pro-Gbagbo security forces and armed Ouattara supporters in Abidjan Tuesday and Wednesday killed 11 people, including several policemen.

The city was calm overnight Wednesday after the army imposed a curfew on the Abobo district, where the fighting had taken place.

Earlier, the U.N. said three of its peacekeepers were wounded late Tuesday in an ambush by Gbagbo forces.  In a statement, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said any attacks on U.N. peacekeepers are unacceptable.

Mr. Ban also accused pro-Gbagbo forces of trying to force U.N. troops out of the Abobo district.  He said U.N. forces "are determined" to stay in the area and will carry out their mandate to protect civilians.

The West African bloc ECOWAS and the African Union have tried to persuade Mr. Gbagbo to give up power, so far without success.

He maintains control of the army and other state institutions, although the U.N. is no longer recognizing his diplomats.

Mr. Ouattara remains confined to Abidjan's Golf Hotel.  He has been in the hotel for more than a month, protected by U.N. peacekeepers but surrounded by pro-Gbagbo soldiers.

You May Like

Russia Cracks Down on Gay Activism

Arrest of 30 activists coincided with first-ever gay rights rally in neighboring Ukraine, which was allowed by authorities, protected by police More

In Hong Kong, Beef Over Sammy Kitchen's 3D Cow

Much to the dismay of restaurant owner Sammy Yip, authorities have turned an inhospitable eye toward his giant cow looming over Queen's Road West More

Cambodian Documentary Wins Cannes Prize for Innovative Cinema

In 'The Missing Picture', Rithy Panh uses clay figurines to tell story of Khmer Rouge brutality More

This forum has been closed.
Comments
     
There are no comments in this forum. Be first and add one

Featured Videos

Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Video

Video Volunteers Help Revive LA's Concrete River

The Los Angeles River is a concrete drainage channel through much of its 80-kilometer length. It channels waste-water from storm drains and has become a receptacle for much of the city's trash. But as Mike O'Sullivan reports, the river is slowly being restored with the help of volunteers, who take part in an annual clean-up.