Dozens die in clashes between protesters and presidential guards in Côte d'Ivoire

Dozens die in clashes between protesters and presidential guards in Côte d'Ivoire

2010-12-17 04:50:42 GMT+7 (ICT)

ABIDJAN, COTE D'IVOIRE (BNO NEWS) -- At least 30 people were killed on Thursday during violent clashes between protesters and presidential guards in Côte d'Ivoire, amidst the turmoil caused by the controversial elections.

According to France24 Television, the clashes began as supporters of Alassane Ouattara, the president-elect backed by the United Nations and the international community, gathered outside the state television (RTI) headquarters.

The Ouattara supporters intended to storm the state television headquarters but troops loyal to Gbagbo opposed them and deadly confrontations began. Soldiers deployed by Laurent Gbagbo's regime set up a cordon of armored cars around RTI headquarters.

The supporters were backed by forces loyal to Soro, the former leader of the New Forces rebel group and now Ouattara's designated prime minister. They set up barricades in several areas of the city and Soro's forces were armed with assault rifles and armored cars.

Ouattara, Soro and their supporters have been using the Hotel Golf as temporary headquarters. They are protected by their supporters and UN troops. On the other hand, Gbagbo has maintained control of the military, the state media and government buildings.

Ouattara has the support of the international community, the African Union and the United Nations, which certified and ratified the former Prime Minister's victory. But Gbagbo still has the support of the Côte d'Ivoire army and the ports which are fundamental for cocoa exports, the main income of the nation.

RTI has been openly supporting the alleged victory of incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo who, after being defeated in the run-off, directed the Constitutional Council to annul votes in various regions. Gbagbo has ignored repeated calls from many countries and international agencies to admit and respect the voting results.

The UN mission in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) said there is no doubt that the opposition leader won the presidential elections. Y.J. Choi, the Special Representative for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, on Wednesday detailed the methods used to certify and ratify the polls.

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