Tensions ease in latest Côte d’Ivoire violence, some refugees return – UN

The situation in Côte d’Ivoire was reported calm and small numbers of Ivorian refugees have been returning home from neighbouring Liberia as tensions eased in the West African country following an upsurge in fighting between the rebels and the Government earlier this month, the United Nations mission said today.

While the influx into Liberia has ground to a halt, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partners continue to monitor and to provide assistance in the border areas. Last week the agency estimated that 19,000 Ivorians had fled the recent violence into Liberia, itself recovering from 14 years of civil war and violent anarchy.

In the western part of the country, UN peacekeepers recovered and then destroyed a cache of arms and ammunition in a church at Danane.

The latest crisis began on 4 November when Government forces bombed rebel positions in the in the UN-patrolled Zone of Confidence (ZOC) separating the combatants. Two days later Government forces bombed French peacekeepers there, killing nine, and French troops destroyed the Government’s air force in retaliation, leading to widespread rioting, looting and harassment of foreigners.

The UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) was set up in April to help implement peace accords between the Government and rebels signed in January 2003.