ABIDJAN – Ivory Coast’s Alassane Ouattara said forces under his command were “at the gates” of Abidjan on Thursday and called on the remaining loyalists of his rival Laurent Gbagbo to switch sides to prevent further suffering.
“I call on you to serve your country … It is time to join your brothers in the Republican Forces,” Ouattara said in a statement on his television station, soon after South Africa said Gbagbo’s army chief had sought refuge in its embassy in the country.
Ouattara’s forces took several towns near the main city of Abidjan, including the cocoa port of San Pedro, overnight, tightening the noose around Gbagbo, who has resisted previous call to step down.
Ivory Coast’s army chief seeks refuge
JOHANNESBURG – Ivory Coast’s army chief of staff, General Philippe Mangou, has sought refuge at the official residence of the South African ambassador, the foreign ministry in Pretoria said Thursday.
Mangou, a key ally of outgoing president Laurent Gbagbo, arrived late Wednesday with his wife and five children at the Abidjan home of Zodwa Lallie, South Africa’s ambassador to Ivory Coast, the ministry said in a statement. “The South African government is in consultation with the relevant parties in the Ivory Coast, Economic Community of West African States, the African Union and the United Nations regarding this matter,” it said.
Foreign ministry spokesman Clayson Monyela said he could provide no further details on the general. The announcement came as forces backing Ivory Coast’s internationally president Alassane Ouattara moved swiftly towards the economic capital Abidjan in a bid to oust strongman Gbagbo, who has refused to cede power. AFP
