Abidjan (Agenzia Fides) - “The situation in Abidjan is rapidly evolving. We don't know what could happen in the next few hours,” say sources from the local Church in Abidjan to Fides, in Côte d'Ivoire, where yesterday, March 30, the Republican forces loyal to President-elect, Alassane Ouattara, won Yamoussoukro, the political capital of the Country. The Republican Forces (former rebels who support Ouattara) have been on the offensive for days against the security forces who remained loyal to outgoing President Laurant Gbagbo. The Republican Forces also won San Pedro, a strategic port for the export of cocoa, the duties of which had been collected by Gbagbo to finance his war effort.
“In Yamoussoukro, the situation is calm. We have no news of violence. Many of Gbagbo's men have deserted, allowing us to capture the city” continue Fides' sources who for security reasons wish to remain anonymous. In Abidjan, however, where there are real centres of power, such as the Presidential Palace and the national radio and television headquarters, yesterday there were violent clashes, say our sources. “Today we hear the echo of gunfire in several districts of the city, but the district of Cocody, where the Presidential Palace is situated, is quiet although heavily guarded by the Gbagbo's forces. Movement on the streets of the neighbourhood is almost nonexistent.”
“The call for peace and reconciliation launched by Benedict XVI has been widely echoed in the Ivorian newspapers and was very appreciated,” say our sources. “We look forward to the arrival of the Pope's envoy, Cardinal Peter Turkson Kodwo, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, who should arrive in the Country over the weekend.” (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 31/3/2011)
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