I Coast: Security urged to protect civilians

  1. Posted on Thursday 9 December 2010 - 11:08
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    Purity Mwendwa Ndereva, AfricaNews reporter in Nairobi, Kenya
    Amnesty International has called on the security forces in Côte d'Ivoire to protect civilians, as the number of people shot dead in violent incidents following the country's presidential elections rose to at least 20.
    Ivory Coast: Profiles of principal candidates
    Tension has heighten in Côte d’Ivoire since both presidential candidates in the November 28 run-off election declared themselves the winners on Friday. Both the incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo and his rival Alassane Ouattara have sworn themselves in, prompting increased clashes between supporters of both parties and the security forces.

    The call comes ahead of meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Nigeria.

    "The international community, especially the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and ECOWAS must take steps to prevent further escalation of violence in Côte d’Ivoire," said Salvatore Saguès, Amnesty International's West Africa researcher.

    "It is also essential that the former President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, who is mediating between the two parties, sends a clear message that only a peaceful solution which respects human rights can avoid Côte d’Ivoire being plunged into a crisis with consequences for the whole region."

    On Friday 3 December, the Côte d’Ivoire Constitutional Court rejected a declaration by the electoral commission that Alassane Ouattara, leader of the Rally of Republicans (RDR) party had won the election and declared incumbent President Gbagbo the winner.

    Supporters of President Gbagbo had tried to block the long-delayed result, alleging fraud in the north.

    On Friday the military sealed the country's borders and blocked foreign media following the outcome of the elections.

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