Agenzia Fides REPORT - “At the moment the situation is relatively calm. The fighting ceased last night,” Jean Djoman tells Fides, Director of Development and Human Promotion for Caritas Côte d'Ivoire, in Abidjan, the economic and administrative capital of Côte d'Ivoire, devastated by fighting between forces close to President-elect Alassane Ouattara, and those remaining loyal to former President Laurent Gbagbo.
Djoman, the head of Caritas says: “Virtually the entire population of Abidjan, about five million people are affected by the fighting in one way or another. Remember too that even before the battle to take control of the capital, a portion of the people of Abidjan had been forced to flee their homes. The entire population is at risk of food shortages, both the displaced people and those who are confined to their homes.”
Before the offensive launched by Ouattara's troops from the north and west of the Country, the armed clashes began between supporters of the two factions. Asked about the risk of inter-community clashes, Djoman replies: “In recent weeks there have been clashes in some districts of Abidjan between supporters of Gbagbo and those of Ouattara. These clashes are between political parties, not between communities. The tension remains, however, because those in the minority in certain districts were forced to flee for fear of reprisals from those who gained control of the area. The risk of clashes between civilian supporters of the two parties is real,” concludes Djoman.
Djoman, the head of Caritas says: “Virtually the entire population of Abidjan, about five million people are affected by the fighting in one way or another. Remember too that even before the battle to take control of the capital, a portion of the people of Abidjan had been forced to flee their homes. The entire population is at risk of food shortages, both the displaced people and those who are confined to their homes.”
Before the offensive launched by Ouattara's troops from the north and west of the Country, the armed clashes began between supporters of the two factions. Asked about the risk of inter-community clashes, Djoman replies: “In recent weeks there have been clashes in some districts of Abidjan between supporters of Gbagbo and those of Ouattara. These clashes are between political parties, not between communities. The tension remains, however, because those in the minority in certain districts were forced to flee for fear of reprisals from those who gained control of the area. The risk of clashes between civilian supporters of the two parties is real,” concludes Djoman.
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