News / Africa

More Mass Graves Found in Ivory Coast

Local residents look on as republican forces soldiers visit the site of an alleged mass grave in a recently pacified area of the Yopougon district, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, May 5, 2011
Local residents look on as republican forces soldiers visit the site of an alleged mass grave in a recently pacified area of the Yopougon district, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, May 5, 2011
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United Nations investigators say they have found mass graves in Ivory Coast containing the bodies of more than 50 people.

Officials with the U.N. human rights office said Monday that the graves were found in the Yopougon district of Abidjan, the country's commercial capital.

Local residents say the victims were killed April 12 when gunmen loyal to former president Laurent Gbagbo attacked supporters of the country's new president, Alassane Ouattara.

Pro-Ouattara forces had captured Mr. Gbagbo the day before, ending a political crisis sparked when Mr. Gbagbo refused to concede defeat in last November's presidential election.

The U.N. human rights office announced last week that it was investigating reports of mass graves in Yopougon and the possible killing of civilians by both sides.

Hundreds of people were killed during four months of political unrest in Ivory Coast.  The U.N. says about 1 million were displaced from their homes.

President Ouattara has vowed to form a truth and reconciliation commission and hold accountable those responsible for criminal acts during the political crisis.

Mr. Ouattara's office says the president will have a formal inauguration in the political capital Yamoussoukro on May 21.

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