UN peacekeeper injured after crowd attack in Côte d’Ivoire

UN peacekeeper injured after crowd attack in Côte d’Ivoire

2010-12-29 07:17:39 GMT+7 (ICT)

ABIDJAN, COTE D’IVOIRE (BNO NEWS) -- A United Nations soldier was injured on Tuesday when a crowd attacked a convoy of the UN peacekeeping force in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The attack took place as a three-vehicle convoy of the UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) was traveling through the Yopougon neighborhood in the commercial capital of Abidjan. The angry mob attacked the convoy, injuring one soldier and setting one vehicle on fire.

The UN peacekeeper was slashed with a machete before the intervention of the defense and security forces chief of staff, General Philippe Mangou, who restored order in the area. The convoy was carrying 22 UNOCI soldiers and was heading to the country's interior.

"UNOCI vigorously condemns this attack and reiterates its determination to pursue its work in the service of the Ivorian people," the UN mission said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the UN envoy in the West African country met with the presidents of Benin, Cape Verde and Sierra Leone who arrived to Côte d'Ivoire to deliver a message on behalf of African leaders urging Laurent Gbagbo to desist power and hand the presidency to Alassana Ouattara, winner of the elections.

Presidents Yayi Boni of Benin, Pedro Pires of Cape Verde and Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone were received by Y.J. Choi, the special representative of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Choi also informed the West African leaders about the electoral process which he observed and ratified.

Incumbent President Gbagbo was defeated during the November presidential polls by former Prime Minister and opposition candidate Ouattara but rejected the results. He directed the Constitutional Council to annul votes in some regions and was declared winner afterwards.

The United Nations and the international community rejected Gbagbo's victory claims and since have repeatedly urged him to step down from the presidency. However, Gbagbo denied and fighting has erupted in the African country.

African leaders met recently in Abuja, Nigeria, during the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) summit. The leaders at the meeting recognized Ouattara as the duly elected president and discussed a possible military intervention to restore constitutional order in Côte d'Ivoire.

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