Cote d’Ivoire: Denouement
- April 12th, 2011
- Posted by EUEditor
The former President of Cote d’Ivoire, Laurent Gbagbo, has been captured inside his fortified residence in Abidjan, after French forces moved against him there.
Reports are mixed about whether French commandos made the final raid, or were involved in it with forces aligned with his rival, Alassane Ouattara.
Early in the day French tanks were used in a final push, with UN forces, against the Gbango defences, the arrest then taking place at around mid-day local time.
Overwhelming world opinion determined that Mr Gbagbo lost office to the opposition leader at elections last November, but he refused to stand down.
The situation degenerated into an armed stand-off and became highly dangerous during recent weeks, with opposition forces closing in on Abidjan, and fighting taking place in the city streets.
Hundreds of deaths were recorded in remote areas of the country as the United Nations mounted security patrols and French troops guarded the national airport.
The defeated former President is believed to have been taken to the headquarters of the other side.
See EUAustralia Online, “Tragedy of Cote d’Ivoireâ€, 5.4.11.
Reference
BBC News, London, “Ivory Coast’s Laurent Gbagbo arrestedâ€, 11.4.11. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13039825, (11.4.11).
Xinhua, Beijing, “Cote d’Ivoire’s Gbagbo detained in attack by French forcesâ€, 11.4.11. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-04/11/c_13823965.htm, (11.4.11).