The government of Alassane Ouattara on Thursday ordered the closure of all of Ivory Coast's borders "until further notice". A few hours before this order, Ouattara had declared a three-day night curfew in Abidjan, from 21:00 GMT to 06:00 GMT, and later on, a statement from Ahmed Bakayoko, Ouattara’s Interior Ministry said "all terrestrial, maritime and aerial borders have been closed until further notice."

Some days ago, Ouattara forces have seized major Gbagbo-controlled cities throughout the country and they have seized the cocoa-exporting port of San Pedro; the world’s biggest cocoa-exporting port, while moving south. Another sign of rapid progress by Ouattara's forces is the seizure of the RTI -the state television in Abidjan.

"RTI is taken, it's off air. It is under control”. Achi Patrick, the spokesman of Ouattara government confirmed the seizure of the RTI and said President Alassane Ouattara would make a statement on that TV station later.

Before the seizure of the RTI premises by Ouattara forces, the state broadcaster stopped transmitting at 22:45 GMT on Thursday after repeatedly showing images of Gbagbo and his close collaborators. Gbagbo who was expected to speak to Ivorians some days ago did not show up.

Residents in Cocody confirmed the attack on the strongman’s residence but they say his militiamen were still resisting the assault of the pro-Ouattara forces.

At the time being, Gbagbo hasn’t showed any sign of presence. And when asked if he still is in Abidjan, many Ouattara followers think that he is barricading himself in his house. Patrick Achi is one of these people. "(Gbagbo) hasn't shown any signs of giving up. I don't think he will see the game is up, because he really believes God will save him […] Gbagbo is in his house. I'm certain. He hasn't gone anywhere," acknowledged Patrick Achi.

U.N. military staff are in control of Abidjan airport after pro-Gbagbo forces abandoned it. They abandoned the blockade of Golf hotel, a lagoon-side hotel Ouattara and his government had been restricted to.

Gbagbo has been abandoned by many of his closed collaborators who have sought refuge in foreign embassies in Abidjan. General Philippe Mangou Gbagbo’s army Chief of Staff is staying at the South African embassy with his family now. In the meantime, many army generals have joined the Ouattara camp. 

Defections have significantly weakened Gbagbo’s army. Mangou and army generals, it seems, heeded Ouattara’s call on supporters of his opponent to lay down their arms. "To those of you who are still hesitating - whether you are generals, officers or soldiers, I ask you to rejoin lawfulness, there is still time to join your brothers in arms, your country calls you." Mr Ouattara said.

A military source, who asked not to be named, said “the gendarmerie and estimated number of 50.000 soldiers had abandoned their positions, only pro-Gbagbo Republican Guard and armed students, around 2.000 combatants are still fighting to defend the Gbagbo’s residence”.

The populations in Abidjan hold their breath as the four-month crisis appears to be entering its final days and hours.