Côte d’Ivoire / UNOCI chief visits Gagnoa a day after violent demonstrations
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire, February 23, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d’Ivoire, Y.J. Choi went to Gagnoa, 258 km from Abidjan, on Saturday, a day after demonstrations by the opposition to protest against the dissolution of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the government.
The demonstrations, on Friday, resulted in five deaths and 11 people being injured, comprising nine civilians and two elements from the Forces de Défense et de Sécurité.
On his arrival, the Special Representative went to the morgue in Gagnoa where he presented his condolences to the victims’ families. He later met with the Prefect of Gagnoa, Réné Nioulé Mohiro, to whom he expressed his compassion for the victims. He told him that he had come to inquire about the situation and provide UNOCI’s support to overcome the situation and avoid a repetition of such events.
The Prefect welcomed the prompt initiative of UNOCI’s Chief before explaining the reasons which led to the event. Mr. Choi stressed the need to quickly find a solution to the current political tension so that the country concentrates on organizing the elections. In this regard he reiterated his appeal for calm and serenity.
UNOCI’s Chief of mission, along with the Prefect and the director of the hospital also visited the injured in the regional hospital in Gagnoa and wished them a speedy recovery.
SOURCE
Mission of UN in Côte d’Ivoire
