Friday, November 12, 2004
The airport hall at times looked like an army bivouac with camp beds.
Some two thousand were also put up at the French 43rd BIMA base nearby.
Many were without food for several days
and even some UN personnel spent sleepness nights,
leaning against the walls.
Some two thousand were also put up at the French 43rd BIMA base nearby.
Many were without food for several days
and even some UN personnel spent sleepness nights,
leaning against the walls.
With French troops securing the bridges, the airport and its access route,
over several troubled days some 9000 expatriates fled or were evacuated,
often by military and charter flights, including UN and embassy personnel.
over several troubled days some 9000 expatriates fled or were evacuated,
often by military and charter flights, including UN and embassy personnel.
The British Embassy and several others closed.
Stores and offices in Yamoussoukro, the Ivorian political capital,
were also looted and destroyed by the mobs called out into the streets
by hate sessions on the national TV and radio, as happened in Abidjan.
Afterwards the empty wide boulevards were carpeted with paper.
were also looted and destroyed by the mobs called out into the streets
by hate sessions on the national TV and radio, as happened in Abidjan.
Afterwards the empty wide boulevards were carpeted with paper.
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Apart from taking all they could carry, the young people
stripped and destroyed vehicles. Not all led to rejoicing.
An enthusiastic Patriot in the street learned by cell phone
he was now out of work as the shop he previously managed
at the Plateau (downtown) had been looted and burned.
This burning of shops will be disastrous for the economy
as for superstitious reasons, Ivorians will refuse
to rebuild a business or home when a place has been burnt.
With places closing for good, tens of thousands of jobs were lost in all.
stripped and destroyed vehicles. Not all led to rejoicing.
An enthusiastic Patriot in the street learned by cell phone
he was now out of work as the shop he previously managed
at the Plateau (downtown) had been looted and burned.
This burning of shops will be disastrous for the economy
as for superstitious reasons, Ivorians will refuse
to rebuild a business or home when a place has been burnt.
With places closing for good, tens of thousands of jobs were lost in all.
The looting of homes and stores was thorough, often nothing being left.
Some expatriates were not even allowed to keep their passports
-- which were later being sold in the streets for $US400 for forging purposes.
In one case, an Ivorian woman demonstrator near her home
saw her easily distinguishable television set passing her
on a young man's head.
Some expatriates were not even allowed to keep their passports
-- which were later being sold in the streets for $US400 for forging purposes.
In one case, an Ivorian woman demonstrator near her home
saw her easily distinguishable television set passing her
on a young man's head.
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Others had to be evacuated by French military helicopter.
Some people had had to take refuge on hotel roofs.
Others were picked up from gardens or school grounds.
Some European diplomats were threatened and even injured.
Some people had had to take refuge on hotel roofs.
Others were picked up from gardens or school grounds.
Some European diplomats were threatened and even injured.
Some expatriates in danger had to be evacuated by barge
under French protection.
Once the thugs were on the loose, sometimes accompanied by police
or soliders going from door to door looking for "French",
they were not particular about their targets,
even attacking Mauritians and some Ivorian homes.
under French protection.
Once the thugs were on the loose, sometimes accompanied by police
or soliders going from door to door looking for "French",
they were not particular about their targets,
even attacking Mauritians and some Ivorian homes.
Saturday, November 06, 2004
Among French-related institutions and companies targetted,
the Collège Mermoz offering first-class schooling to French and Ivorian children
was attacked and destroyed by a pro-régime mob.
What is said to be Mrs Gbagbo's school, also in Cocody, and near
the destroyed opposition RDR headquarters, was fortunately not attacked.
the Collège Mermoz offering first-class schooling to French and Ivorian children
was attacked and destroyed by a pro-régime mob.
What is said to be Mrs Gbagbo's school, also in Cocody, and near
the destroyed opposition RDR headquarters, was fortunately not attacked.
French and other expatriate residences were attacked and ransacked,
with several cases of rape reported.
Some of the demonstrators were naked, others armed.
On the roads pro-régime Young Patriots manned road blocks,
checking taxis and other vehicles for Whites,
often accompanied by members of the armed forces.
with several cases of rape reported.
Some of the demonstrators were naked, others armed.
On the roads pro-régime Young Patriots manned road blocks,
checking taxis and other vehicles for Whites,
often accompanied by members of the armed forces.
But a violent reaction in the streets of Abidjan and Yamoussoukro was prompt,
leading many to believe that it was already planned and coordinated.
President Gbagbo even questioned whether the deaths had occurred,
and regretted what was depicted as a French punitive action
(even though it was later supported by the USA and the UN)
without an enquiry first being held into the bombing incident at Bouaké.
Subsequently the Government has been making its own detailed enquiry.
leading many to believe that it was already planned and coordinated.
President Gbagbo even questioned whether the deaths had occurred,
and regretted what was depicted as a French punitive action
(even though it was later supported by the USA and the UN)
without an enquiry first being held into the bombing incident at Bouaké.
Subsequently the Government has been making its own detailed enquiry.
Four months later, the results have not been announced.
Some may have considered my October opinion of things too apocalyptic.
But during a Government army violation of the cease-fire agreed with the rebel forces,
supervised by the French and UNOCI, and after a bombing of a French military base
on 6th November, 2004, in Bouaké, incurring 10 deaths,
no doubt by the Présidence's mercenary pilots,
the French President ordered that the Ivorian attack aircraft be destroyed.
The Ivorian forces had proved to be a menace to civilians in Bouaké and Korhogo,
and now to the peace-keepers. This bombing was the last straw for Chicac.
The French made no mistake with their targets in Yamoussoukro and Abidjan.
But during a Government army violation of the cease-fire agreed with the rebel forces,
supervised by the French and UNOCI, and after a bombing of a French military base
on 6th November, 2004, in Bouaké, incurring 10 deaths,
no doubt by the Présidence's mercenary pilots,
the French President ordered that the Ivorian attack aircraft be destroyed.
The Ivorian forces had proved to be a menace to civilians in Bouaké and Korhogo,
and now to the peace-keepers. This bombing was the last straw for Chicac.
The French made no mistake with their targets in Yamoussoukro and Abidjan.
