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UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs |
COTE D'IVOIRE: Optimism for reconciliation despite attack on ECOMICI forces
ABIDJAN, 5 April 2003 (IRIN) - Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ivorian conflict, armed fighters clashed with the West African and government troops in the western area of Daloa on Wednesday, the army reported in a communiqué. The fighters who attacked the soldiers of the ECOWAS mission in Cote d'Ivoire (ECOMICI) were of the Mouvement Patriotique de Cote d'Ivoire (MPCI), army spokesman Lt-Col Aka N'goran said.
The fighters who struck at around 1:00 GMT in the town of Bediala however met heavy resistance from the ECOMICI troops, forcing the rebels to retreat. However while retreating, they fell upon a contingent of the Ivorian national army. According to N'goran, the rebels lost 10 men while the army only recorded three wounded, one critically. The West African troops were also attacked on 30 March by the rebels, he added.
Measured optimism
There was however measured optimism that Thursday's attendance of a cabinet meeting by rebels in Yamoussoukro, signaled a positive step towards reconciliation in Cote d'Ivoire. Various individuals told IRIN, the move by the rebels was positive but obstacles still remained.
The special representative of the UN Secretary General, Albert Tevoedjre, told the pro-state daily Fraternite-Matin that he was happy the government had come together and shown the way towards national reconciliation. He was optimistic that all remaining obstacles would be ironed in due time.
President Laurent Gbagbo's spokesman, Alain Toussaint told IRIN on Friday: "We are optimistic but prudent". Outstanding obstacles, he added, still needed to be addressed. These included the disarmament of the rebels as demanded by Gbagbo's government, restoration of the authority of the government over the whole country, the free movement of goods and persons and peace and security of all those living in the country.
Attention, Toussaint said, also needed to be paid to all international actors who had directly or indirectly played a role in the conflict.
The leader of Ivorian Islamic community, Imam Idriss Koudouss said: "We are praying that the entry of rebels into the government will appease all the problems. What took place yesterday is one of the ways, and not the only way I insist, that we need to achieve peace."
A Catholic Church representative told IRIN that at this point it was "observing" things. The Church, in a letter on 21 February 2003, had vehemently criticized the entire political class accusing politicians of sacrificing the country for their own personal interests. It had also faulted the international community for partially fuelling the conflict.
RDR ministers live in a hotel
Other analysts said it was also important to consider whether the rebels could come to Abidjan where they have said they fear for their lives. Members of the main opposition party, Rassemblement des Republicains (RDR), who returned to Abidjan three weeks ago to take up cabinet posts, so far occupy entire floors in a hotel under extremely tight security, rather than living in their homes.
The new cabinet which includes the rebels, that met on Thursday was formed in early March after weeks of national and international negotiation. It is headed by Prime Minister Seydou Diarra and has 41 ministers. The rebels hold nine posts.
Themes: (IRIN) Conflict
[ENDS]
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