Reprisal killings reported in Ivory Coast

Life in Ivory Coast's main city Abidjan was slowly returning to normal today, despite continued violence in some neighbourhoods two days after the capture of former leader Laurent Gbagbo.

Following a drawn out conflict that has killed scores of people and left Ivory Coast’s once thriving economy in tatters, shop owners and taxi drivers ventured out on Wednesday in a bid to get back to normal and get back to business.

But although services such as electricity and running water have been restored in most of the main city of Abidjan after 10 ten days of fierce fighting, there is still a lack of security.

Since the arrest of Laurent Gbagbo on Monday which ended the power struggle with presidential rival Alassane Ouattara violence has continued in some neighbourhoods.

Bishop George Biguzzi from the neighbouring country of Sierra Leone has been monitoring events in Ivory Coast. He says there still appears to be a lack of control.

There have also been reports of reprisal killings and it’s suspected that Gbagbo supporters are still being rounded up in cities and villages, especially in the west of the country.

Bishop Biguzzi says there needs to be accountability on both sides.

As uncertainty for the people of Ivory Coast remains, the EU, France and the World Bank are pledging financial aid to restore stability, rebuild a shattered economy and repair badly damaged infrastructure.
Listen