U.S. condemns violence against civilians in Cote d'Ivoire

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U.S. condemns violence against civilians in Cote d'Ivoire

2011-03-10 06:33:14 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- United States President Barack Obama on Wednesday condemned the recent violence against unarmed civilians in Cote d'Ivoire.

"I am particularly appalled by the indiscriminate killing of unarmed civilians during peaceful rallies, many of them women, including those who were gunned down as they marched in support of the legitimately elected President Alassane Ouattara," Obama said.

On March 3, six women were shot dead by security forces while marching in Abidjan. The women were taking part in a march organized by Ouattara's RHDP political alliance when forces loyal to former President Laurent Gbagbo opened fire in the northern suburb of Abobo.

"All armed parties in Cote d’Ivoire must make every effort to protect civilians from being targeted, harmed, or killed," the U.S. leader added.

Gbagbo continues to deny the results of the presidential elections that took place last year in which opposition candidate Ouattara was elected as president. The polls were ratified and certified by a UN envoy.

"Former President Gbagbo's efforts to hold on to power at the expense of his own country are an assault on the universal rights of his people, and the democracy that the Cote d'Ivoire deserves. It is time for Gbagbo to heed the will of his people, and to complete a peaceful transition of power to Oattara," added Obama.

Ouattara has been recognized by the international community as the duly elected president but Gbagbo refuses to step down. The United Nations mission in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) has also warned that Gbagbo loyalist militias may be preparing for civil war.

"The United States remains deeply concerned about escalating violence, including the deepening humanitarian and economic crisis and its impact in Cote d’Ivoire and neighboring countries," said Obama.

The December 2010 presidential elections were meant to be the culminating point in reunifying a country split by civil war in 2002 into a Government-controlled south and a rebel-held north but instead left it in severe turmoil.

Some 20,000 people have been internally displaced and over 33,000 more have fled to neighboring Liberia due to the violence between both sides. The UN warned that ethnic tensions stemming from national, racial and religious affiliation linked to the opposing camps could lead to genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and ethnic cleansing.

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