Military

11 November 2004 – United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan issued a new call today to all parties in Côte d'Ivoire to end violence and do everything possible to prevent "the devastating resurgence of ethnic conflict" after a government breach of the ceasefire with rebels last week led to a fresh outbreak of turmoil in the West African country.

While the situation on the ground was reported to have improved somewhat, Mr. Annan condemned the use of hate media "which is fuelling the tensions, xenophobia and inciting violent acts," and reminded "all concerned that they may be held accountable for their acts, in conformity with international criminal, human rights and humanitarian law."

Mr. Annan's call came as UN humanitarian agencies and their partners worked to deliver as much assistance as possible in an environment rendered precarious following the violence which began last Thursday when the Government violated the nearly two-year-old ceasefire by launching an attack in the UN-patrolled Zone of Confidence (ZOC) separating the combatants.

On Saturday Government aircraft bombed French peacekeepers in the area, killing nine people and leading to French reprisals which destroyed the tiny Ivorian air force. This in turn led to anti-foreigner rioting in Abidjan, the country's largest city, followed by inter-ethnic violence in President Laurent Gbagbo's hometown of Gagnoa in the Government-held south, and a deteriorating situation in Bouaké in the rebel-held north due to the lack of water and electricity.

Today the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations reported that government troops continued to withdraw to their positions south of the ZOC and that the situation was "relatively calm."

The UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) reported that electricity in some districts in Bouaké had just been restored thanks to collaboration between UN engineers and the state-run technicians. The engineers said they hoped that electricity could be restored all over the town as early as tomorrow.

The situation in Abidjan remains volatile, the mission added, but businesses are reopening and more traffic was seen on the roads.

UN peacekeepers, who yesterday assisted in the evacuation of hundreds of foreigners, have been monitoring borders, mainly with Liberia, to check on cross border movements. They reported seeing only a few Liberian refugees leaving Côte d'Ivoire.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that UN agencies had mobilized to bring medical and food assistance to various areas.

Throughout the week, schools have been closed in Abidjan and other parts of the country. The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) called on all parties to ensure that public services such as health centres and schools continue to function properly, and that the rights of children and women be fully respected.

"If this insecurity continues, we risk losing two years of steady progress made by the national reconciliation government, most importantly in terms of getting schools and health care services open again in the north," warned UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Rima Salah.