Situation remains tense in Ivory Coast

The head of the army in Ivory Coast is warning that his troops reserve the right to retaliate following two days of deadly clashes in an opposition stronghold neighbourhood. Many residents of the Abobo area in Abidjan voted for opposition leader Alassane Ouattara, whose victory in presidential election has been recognized by the international community.

Incumbent Laurent Gbagbo, who refuses to cede power, still controls the military.

Authorities have imposed a curfew in Abobo and sent in a convoy of military trucks following the clashes that began Tuesday after a police raid.

At least four civilians and as many as seven police officers have been killed in the
unrest.

Lydia O’Kane spoke to Alex Vine, the Head of the Africa Programme at research institute Chatham House in London about the current situation.

“There’s great uncertainty and I don’t think we’ll see any quick solutions, so this is a protracted power struggle.”

He adds, … I can’t see how Mr Gbagbo will accept that he is not president of Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), this is the difficulty.” Listen