Posted on 04/03/2011 10:00:19 PM PDT by robowombat
BBC News, Ivory Coast A spokesman for the Ouattara government said Laurent Gbagbo now only controlled the presidential palace and the presidential residence.
But Abidjan's residents report a more mixed picture with armed groups loyal to the two sides roaming the city. There are formal forces but also the youth militia groups that have been armed as well.
So far, pro-Ouattara forces have been unable to capture any of the key targets they have been fighting for since Thursday - the presidential offices, residence, state television and major barracks.
Several key military leaders, including the head of the army have abandoned Mr Gbagbo, but his forces do still have superior weaponry including several tanks.
There are several sections of the city that are without electricity, and the way the system works means that the electrical pumps are not working either so the water is off as well.
It is very difficult for people to get out of their homes to buy basic supplies, even a bottle of water, just because of the violence going on in the streets.
France has sent an extra 300 soldiers to Ivory Coast, defence ministry spokesman Thierry Burkhard said, taking the total French force to about 1,400.
The airport had been secured by UN troops since Friday, but the French move meant the airport was now able to re-open, Mr Burkhard told the BBC.
The aim of the reinforcement was "to take control over the airport which was also done in co-ordination with the UN mission, to allow the re-opening of this airport to civilian airlines and military flights", he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
The Ivory Coast was one of the most stable, prosperous countries in all of Africa.
It’s all over, now that the Muzzies are going to take over.
Seems to me the French have a post colonial axe to grind and are taking it out on countries that should know better than be successful without them!
Mel
I assume this is a Muslim vs a Christian political struggle.
I don’t know, but in most of these fights, both sides (whatever they call themselves) are thugs. Why is the west so keen on intervening in these perpetual power struggles? Somehow I think France has more of an interest than just helping out an old colonial buddy.
Yes, Ouattara is a Muslim (possibly from Burkina Faso) leading north Ivoirean Muslims, who have already ethnically cleansed the north, killing, expelling and suppressing Christians, and want to do the same to the whole country now.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.