Former Ivory Coast President Hides in Basement

Ivory Coast president, Laurent Gbagbo is sheltering with his family in the basement bunker of his home in Abidjan. Gbagbo’s Foreign Minister, Alcide Djedje indicated that a ceasefire has been ordered, but Ouattara supporting forces have not confirmed this.

The United Nations confirmed that many of Gbagbo officials are abandoning him. The stubborn president refuses to leave his charge even after the Ivorian election commission declared him the loser of November’s of run-off vote, and the UN certified the result. Recently the French Foreign Minister, Alain Jupper, informed that Gbagbo’s is in negotiations over his departure.

Meanwhile Gbagbo’s army chief, Gen. Jean Philippe Mangou informed AFP that his troops have stopped the shooting. Mangou had deserted last week, but returned after Djedje told the BBC the “war is over.” While giving this statement the shooting could be heard in the background. Patrick Achi, spokesman of president Ouattara informed that if Gbagbo is captured, he would be arrested and brought to justice.

Last week the forces loyal to Ouattara, a former International Monetary Fund economist, began a drastic military offensive that swept the city from north to west. Many civilians remain prisoners in their homes. Food, water and electricity are scarce in the city of almost four million people.

Source: BBC News