[ 2012-07-28 ]

Reconciliation needed after Ivory Coast clashes: UN
ABIDJAN (AFP) - The clashes in west Ivory Coast
show a vital need to pursue reconciliation efforts
and restore the rule of law in the west African
country, a United Nations official said Friday.

At least 11 people were killed and dozens of
others injured in the July 20 attacks in Duekoue
in an area long beset by ethnic tensions.

A large crowd from the town raided a camp for
5,000 displaced people on its outskirts, killing
six, in reprisals for the death of five
individuals allegedly killed by people from the
camp.

The events "highlight the need for a solid
reconciliation process, as well as a restoration
of the rule of law and State authority across the
country," Bert Koenders, the UN
secretary-general's special representative in the
Ivory Coast, said at a Friday press conference.

Western Ivory Coast has long been beset by ethnic
tensions fueled by land disputes.

Most camp residents in the latest attack come from
the Guere ethnic group, which has tense relations
with the Malinke people, who made up most of the
attackers, according to witnesses.

The northern Malinke are considered to be
supporters of President Alassane Ouattara, while
the Guere were held to back former president
Laurent Gbagbo, who clung to power for about four
months after losing an election in late 2010.

Koenders said 11 people had died and 56 were
injured in the attacks, though the UN's
peacekeeping force in the country -- known by its
acronym UNOCI -- had earlier reported 12 deaths.

On Thursday, the UN Security Council renewed
UNOCI's mandate but reduced its size in response
to recommendations by the UN secretariat, which
has been cutting spending on peacekeeping missions
around the world.

But the council also said the operation should
reinforce their field presence in parts of the
country where civilians are at a greater risk,
notably in the west.

Koenders said the identity of the attackers from
the group of between 500 to 1,000 people raiding
the camp was still under investigation.

Source - AFP

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