Brussels, 04/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - After the massacres around Duékoué in the west of Côte d'Ivoire which claimed between 400 and 1,000 lives, including those of civilians, and with fighting intensifying in Abidjan between the forces of Gbagbo and the Côte d'Ivoire Republican Forces (FRCI) of Outtara, the EU is “extremely concerned by the upsurge in violence. Heavy weapons are being used, civilians are caught up in the fighting and a European citizen with the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) has been killed” high ranking EU officials said on Monday 4 March.
Consultations with member states allow three conclusions to be drawn at this point: 1) Insecurity reigns in Abidjan, but no one is recommending the immediate evacuation of EU nationals as it would be unwise for them to move. Most of these EU nationals are French (some 13,000) with some hundreds of others holding dual nationality or being married to Ivoirians. France has begun gathering its nationals prior to evacuating them when possible. 2) The EU has called on all parties in the conflict to show restraint to avoid loss of life among the civilian population. 3) The EU is very concerned at the humanitarian situation. The targeted sanctions imposed by the EU on the Gbagbo camp will remain in place until a clear signal is given by Alassane Ouattara that they should be lifted. “These sanctions should not prevent humanitarian aid from getting through. We are continuing to work to make sure all the humanitarian aid possible reaches the growing number of refugees”, the sources stated.
Immediately news broke of the massacres in the west of the country, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton again urged self-appointed President Laurent Gbagbo to hand over power to Alassane Ouattara, the only presidential election winner recognised by the international community, and called on both sides to show restraint. Although it is too early to apportion blame, both sides have been accused of indiscriminate killings. The high ranking officials state that the situation remains confused and that one must not overstate the extent of the control the two camps have over the militia.
“I urge Laurent Gbagbo to step down immediately and hand himself over to the legal authorities. Alassane Ouattara is the democratically elected President of Côte d'Ivoire. I call on all sides to show restraint and to protect the civilian population. The UN mission in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) should be allowed to fully implement its mandate to protect the civilian population. Those responsible for human rights violations will be held responsible before international justice”, Ashton said on Friday evening. The task of the 12,000 UNOCI troops is to protect all civilians. The Unicorn Force (Force Licorne) has a specific mandate to protect French citizens in Côte d'Ivoire. (A.N./transl.rt)