Reports of a Massacre as the End Nears in Cote d’Ivoire

Heavy fighting continued in Côte d’Ivoire over the weekend, as soldiers backing President Alassane Ouattara clashed with forces loyal to Laurent Gbagbo in the country’s largest city, Abidjan.  As Pro-Ouattara forces continue to consolidate their hold on the country, the International Committee of the Red Cross reported that at least 800 civilians were killed in the western city of Duékoué.

The killings in Duékoué were attributed to “inter-communal violence” in the aftermath of the town’s capture by pro-Ouattara forces.  Many of the victims were members of the local Wobé and Guéré tribes, traditionally landowners in the Duékoué region, who appear to have been targeted due to their status as landowners and their pro-Gbagbo stance.

The Duékoué region saw extensive fighting during the Ivorian civil war.  Since then, the town has been the location of several violent incidents, particularly over customary land arrangements between local tribes. Shortly after the electoral dispute between Ouattara and Gbagbo broke out, the town saw extensive fighting between the Malinké and Guéré communities.  These clashes displaced at least 10,000 people and it appears that the cycle of retaliatory violence continued early last week.

As of this morning, it appears that Laurent Gbagbo is negotiating his exit from the country.  It is important that all belligerents and peacekeepers in Côte d’Ivoire take all necessary steps to protect civilians from all attacks in areas under their control.