The United Nations mission in Côte d’Ivoire (Unoci) and French military forces fired on strongman Laurent Gbagbo’s bastions in Abidjan on Monday as his rival waged an all-out offensive to unseat him, a UN spokesman said on Monday evening.
As internationally recognised president Alassane Ouattara’s troops marched on the economic capital Monday afternoon, the Unoci mission and French Licorne (Unicorn) forces helicopters fired on military barracks, Gbagbo’s home and the presidential palace.
“Unoci helicopters fired on the Agban and Akuedo military camps as well as the palace and presidential residence,” said UN spokesman Hamadoun Toure.
“We are working with the French force Licorne, in line with our mandate and the UN resolution 1975,” he added.
An Agence France-Presse (AFP) journalist witnessed four Licorne helicopters firing on the Agban military camp while other witnesses reported UN helicopters shooting on the Akouedo barracks.
The French government confirmed French and UN soldiers were engaged in operations to “neutralise” weapons used against civilians by Gbagbo fighters under UN Security Council resolution 1975.
The objectives of the military action were not outlined in further detail.
“The secretary general of the United Nations [Ban Ki-moon] requested the support of French forces in these operations,” said the statement.
“The president of the republic [Nicolas Sarkozy] responded positively to this request, and authorised French forces … to participate in operations conducted by Onuci, aimed at protecting civilians.”
“France calls for the immediate cessation of all violence against civilians. The perpetrators of these crimes must be brought to justice,” said the presidency.
Meanwhile, two French nationals and several other people were abducted in Abidjan on Monday as fierce fighting spread across the city, the French Foreign Ministry said.
“We confirm the abduction by armed men of several people including two French nationals,” a ministry spokesman said. “We are mobilised and our embassy is doing everything it can to find the people who have been seized.”
Earlier, Europe 1 radio reported five people had been abducted, including at least two French citizens.
The men were taken from a hotel in the city’s business district as troops loyal to presidential Laurent Gbagbo fought forces supporting Alassane Ouattara’s rival claim to the presidency. – AFP