France urges its citizens to leave Ivory Coast

France said today that its citizens in Ivory Coast should leave, as fears grow that a power struggle over the refusal of the incumbent leader to accept he lost a presidential election could escalate into civil war.

This latest development follows U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon's warning that Ivory Coast faces «a real risk» of return to civil war.

He also said that U.N. peacekeepers will face a critical situation in the coming days unless Laurent Gbagbo removes a blockade around his opponent's headquarters.

The United Nations and other world leaders recognize Alassane Ouattara as the winner of last month's disputed presidential election.

Gbagbo, the incumbent who refuses to acknowledge defeat and leave the presidency, has forces surrounding the building where his rival is based.

Meanwhile, attention is also focusing on the humanitarian situation with the U.N. saying that people inside are not getting needed medication, and that delivery of food and water also has been hampered.

“In general we have been able to proceed in our work”, says Steven Anderson, Media officer for Ivory Coast with the International Committee of the Red Cross.

He also told Lydia O’Kane the fragile security situation has not hampered their efforts to aid those in need.

“For now we can say that we have a good acceptance to be able to work … on medical evacuations and treatment.”
Listen to full interview here