Côte d'Ivoire
International concern over Ivorian death squads

afrol News, 25 February - The international critiques against Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo is sharpened after his administration has been set in relation to death squads, killing the Muslim opposition. Both the French and the US government now warn against possible consequences for Mr Gbagbo.

There are increasing doubts about the reality of President Gbagbo's peaceful ambitions after a recent UN report discovered the existence of death squads killing opposition representatives in the country. The report claims these death squads can be put in contact with persons close to the Ivorian President. 

During the weekend, French President Jacques Chirac - who had been central to the conclusion of the Marcoussis peace deal between the government and rebels of Côte d'Ivoire - warned that those responsible of the death squads could have to defend themselves in an international war crimes court. 

Mr Chirac thus indirectly repeats the warnings from Côte d'Ivoire's northern neighbour Burkina Faso. The Burkinabe President several months ago claimed President Gbagbo was personally responsible of massacres of Burkinabe and Malian citizens, in addition to Ivorian citizens of the Muslim dominated north. The Burkinabe President threatened to bring action against Mr Gbagbo in an international court.

Now, also the American government voices sharp critiques against the Ivorian President. "The United States condemns in the strongest terms recent murders and disappearances in Côte d'Ivoire," says US government spokesman Richard Boucher. The US government in particular had noted the UN report associating the Ivorian government to death squad activities. 

Washington also emphasised on the recent murder on the famous opposition actor Yerefe Camara. Mr Camara, according to his family, was taken into custody by government security forces seven hours before his body was found. His murder took place on 2 February in Abidjan. 

The US government further warned Ivorian authorities against hindering investigations into these murders and disappearances. "A culture of impunity must not be allowed to take root in Côte d'Ivoire," warned Mr Boucher. 

According to the UN report published in the last week of January, one had registered a large number of "murders of politicians, businessmen and others" in the economic capital, Abidjan. "According to testimony that was received, these murders are organised by death squads and private militias." 

The UN report further said the UN mission had "compiled information to the effect that the death squads are made up of elements close to the government, the presidential guard, and a tribal militia of the president's ethnic group."

Meanwhile, the fragile ceasefire in Côte d'Ivoire is generally observed. Nonetheless, rebels are getting impatient after repeated postponements in the implementation of the peace treaty and say they are ready to take to weapons again. 

One of the most crucial aspects of the peace agreement, the creation of a national unity government, is far from being implemented. Although northerner Seydou Diarra has been appointed Prime Minister, he is failing to agree with President Gbagbo on the composition of the new government. Mr Gbagbo seems to have stepped back on promises given in France about the power sharing.

The rebel group MPCI, which controls the entire northern half of Côte d'Ivoire, is reported to lose confidence in President Gbagbo. "Realise the whole of [the peace treaty of] Marcoussis, or Gbagbo must step down," is the new slogan among rebels.