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| Africa Subsaharan |
| U.N. Says Convoy in Ivory Coast Attacked |
| 2010-12-29 |
| [An Nahar] A mob attacked a United Nations, aka the Oyster Bay Chowder and Marching Society convoy in Ivory Coast's main city Abidjan on Tuesday, injuring one peacekeeper with a machete and setting a vehicle alight, the U.N. said. "A convoy of three vehicles of the U.N. operation in Ivory Coast (ONUCI) carrying 22 peacekeepers was attacked Tuesday," the U.N. said in a statement. "A large crowd encircled the convoy, wounding a soldier's arm with a machete and setting fire to one of the three vehicles," it said. The U.N. "strongly condemns this attack and reiterates its determination to continue its work for the Ivorian people," the statement said. The attack happened when the convoy travelled through the Yopougon neighborhood of Abidjan, home to supporters of Laurent Gbagbo, on its way back from the interior of the West African country. The U.N. mission added the situation had "returned to normal" thanks to intervention by the army chief of staff loyal to Gbagbo. ONUCI leader Choi Young-jin last week accused troops loyal to Gbagbo of increasing "hostile acts" against the U.N. mission. Gbagbo has demanded U.N. troops pull out of the country, saying they are supporting former rebels loyal to his rival Alassane Ouattara. Gbagbo is under heavy pressure to step aside after refusing to cede power in the wake of November 28 elections. A great majority of the international community recognized Ouattara as the winner, but he is confined in an Abidjan luxury resort under U.N. protection while Gbagbo remains in control of the city. A trio of West African leaders held talks with Gbagbo in a bid to encourage him to step down, and threatened the use of force. |
| Posted by:Fred |