Côte D'ivoire: UN Finds No Evidence Of Combat In Reported Town Attacks
The commander of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Côte d'Ivoire has found no evidence of significant combat
operations between Ivorian security forces and alleged assailants in two towns that reportedly came under attack on
Saturday, potentially jeopardizing nascent peace prospects in the strife-torn West African country.
There was also no evidence of large-scale killings or illegal detentions of the civilian population, the UN Operation in
Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), set up last year to help maintain a ceasefire between government and rebel forces, said in a news
release today on the reported attacks that occurred barely three months before elections are to be held to end the
conflict.
During his visit to Anyama and Agboville, north of Abidjan, the country's major city, Force Commander Maj. Gen.
Abdoulaye Fall, accompanied by the Chief of Staff of Côte d'Ivoire's armed forces, Gen. Philippe Mangou, met with local
military and civilian authorities, including religious leaders and youth groups. UNOCI has noted a progressive return to
calm, the statement said.
Fighting first erupted in Côte d'Ivoire in 2002 when rebels seeking to oust President Laurent Gbagbo seized the north,
splitting the world's largest cocoa producer in two. UNOCI has been concerned that this latest reported attack could
jeopardize important progress made in the peace process, particularly an agreement establishing a new timeline for
disarmament and the elections, now scheduled for October.
Immediately after reports of the attacks came, UNOCI deployed troops to the area, but numerous blockades by the local
population prevented them from entering Agboville for 48 hours.