UN: 330 killed in Cote d'Ivoire town
0 
The UN mission in Cote d'Ivoire (ONUCI) said on Saturday 330 people were killed in the western town Duekoue, mostly by the forces backing presidency claimant Alassane Ouattara.
The report came one day after the United Nations human rights office urged Ouattara to rein in his forces. "There should be no revenge acts taking place. The forces should show restraint," the UN office said.
ONUCI also reported that more than 100 victims died at the hand of mercenaries of Ouattara's presidential rival Laurent Gbagbo.
The deaths add to the toll of about 500 reported by the United Nations in the post-election violence in Cote d'Ivoire.
Earlier in the day, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said in a report that "at least 800 persons were killed on March 29 in Duekoue in intercommunal violence."
Duekoue is the gateway to almost all of the southern regions under Gbagbo's control, especially to the political capital Yamoussoukro and to the town of San Pedro, which has the main port for cocoa export.
Widespread looting was reported on March 29 in Duekoue, 500 km west of the economic capital Abidjan, after the strategic town was taken by the pro-Ouattara Republican Forces the previous day.
The looting was reported against the backdrop of conflicts between the Malinke ethnic group originated from the north and the Guere natives. They were engaged in violent clashes on the eve of the Nov. 28 presidential run-off.
On a separate occasion, the government of Ouattara, who is internationally recognized as the presidential-elect, said mass graves were found in the west of the country, linking the killing to fighters loyal to Gbagbo.
The statement located the graves "especially in Toulepleu, Blolequin and Guiglo," holding responsible for the killing the forces loyal to Gbagbo, mercenaries and his militiamen.
Ouattara's Republican Forces are getting the upper hand since launching a military blitz on Monday, with his generals expecting an end to the war within days over the control of the world's top cocoa producer in West Africa.
The country's largest city Abidjan has become the main battleground in the past two days, during which the rival forces have been fighting around the presidential palace and presidential residence, the last bastions for Gbagbo.
The country last witnessed a civil war between 2002 and 2003, which divided the territory in two with the pro-Gbagbo forces controlling the south and the ex-rebel New Forces now allied with Ouattara holding the north.
The presidential elections, which were postponed several times amid differences and tensions, were expected to end the war- induced division in the country, but eventually turned out another all-out armed conflict, which has caused new bloodshed and the displacement of at least 1 million people.
Go to Forum >>0 Comments