One Killed in Attack on Ivorian Coast Rally

At least one person was killed and dozens injured during an attack Saturday in Abidjan on a meeting of during a meeting of the former ruling party, the Ivorian Popular Front.

The former ruling party are composed of supporters of Ivory Coast’s ex-president Laurent Gbagbo.

The rally ended in disarray after opponents began throwing stones.

UNOCI
An officer with the UN Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) is shown on patrol in the district of Abobo, Abidjan. Less than one week ago former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo surrendered to the internationally recognized new president, Alassane Ouattara, ending a monthslong stand-off in which UNOCI staff had also been targeted. UN Photo/Basile Zoma

According to media reports, Gbagbo loyalists tried to fight back. Police fired tear gas to break up the confrontation. United Nations troops were called in to secure the area.

The United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) strongly condemned today the incidents in Abidjan. The UNOCI launched an appeal for calm and restraint. It both parties and general population to be calm and to avoid taking actions that would further deteriorate the situation in Vavoua and elsewhere.

UNOCI reiterated its “attachment to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, which are indispensable to democratic life.” It and encouraged the Government to take appropriate measures to determine the circumstances surrounding the incidents, as well as identify and arrest those responsible.

United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI), with the support of French forces, undertook a military operation to protect innocent civilians from escalating violence in the city of Abidjan.

The UN Security Council Resolution 1975 was adopted unanimously. It clearly reaffirms UNOCI’s mandate to use all necessary measures to protect civilians.

Mina Fabulous follows the news, especially what is going on in the US State Department. Mina turns State Department waffle into plain English. Mina Fabulous is the pen name of Carmen Avalino, the NewsBlaze production editor. When she isn’t preparing stories for NewsBlaze writers, she writes stories, but to separate her editing and writing identities, she uses the name given by her family and friends.