AFP> UN peacekeepers secure on January 17, 2011 the convoy of the African Union's mediator in Ivory Coast's presidential stand-off, Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, while other UN troops exchange gunfire with supporters of incumbent Laurent Gbagbo on the road leading to Odinga's hotel in Abidjan
A group of youths claiming to be supporters of Cote d’Ivoire incumbent Laurent Gbagbo on Monday attacked UN peacekeepers providing security for the African Union (AU) mediator, the Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Witnesses said the pro-Gbagbo supporters calling themselves “the youth patriots” lined up the road leading to Pullman Hotel, before Odinga’s arrival from the Abidjan airport.
The demonstrators violently attacked the convoy of UN soldiers who had come at the hotel to wait for Odinga, forcing the peacekeepers to make an about-turn.
Calm was later restored when security forces loyal to Gbagbo guarding the offices of the Central Bank of the West African States (BCEAO), not far from the hotel, started shooting in the air to disperse the demonstrators.
Odinga, the AU mediator in Cote d’Ivoire’s post-election crisis, arrived at the Abidjan airport at around 3 p.m. local time.
Just like during his first visit in early January, he was welcomed at the airport by the prime minister in Gbagbo’s government, Gilbert Ake Ngbo, accompanied by his Foreign Minister Alcide Djedje.
Odinga was expected to stay at the Pullman Hotel from where he would go to meet Gbagbo at the presidential palace under the escort of pro-Gbagbo forces, and then meet with his presidential rival Alassane Ouattara at the Golf Hotel under the escort of the UN peacekeepers.
The United Nations has on several occasions condemned attacks on its forces. Recently, three peacekeepers were slightly injured by pro-Gbagbo forces when they were patrolling Abobo district in the economic capital Abidjan. A UN vehicle was burnt down on a later occasion by pro-Gbagbo youths.
Cote d’Ivoire has been engulfed by deadly violence resulting from the disputed second round of presidential elections held on Nov. 28. Both Gbagbo and Ouattara claimed the presidency after the vote, but the international community recognizes Ouattara, who has been holed up in the Golf Hotel ever since.
Abidjan is in the hands of Gbagbo, who has controlled the country’s southern part since the 2002-2003 civil war. The ex- rebel New Forces, which supports Ouattara, has the northern part. Gbagbo recently suggested Ouattara and his entourage leave Abidjan peacefully, apparently in hopes of clearing the city of Ouattara’s influence.
Source: Xinhua
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