ABIDJAN, (Reuters) – U.N. and French helicopters attacked Laurent Gbagbo’s last strongholds in Abidjan yesterday as forces loyal to Ivory Coast presidential claimant Alassane Ouattara streamed into the city in a “final assault”.
Explosions and gunfire rang out from the direction of the Presidential Palace, the state broadcaster RTI, and one of two bridges connecting the lagoon-side city to the airport — among the last strategic footholds held by the incumbent leader who has refused to step down since a November election.
Attack helicopters commanded by the United Nations mission in the West African country fired missiles at Gbagbo’s military bases, and near his official residence, causing huge explosions that shook nearby homes and smashed windows, witnesses said.
A spokesman for Ouattara’s government later said pro-Ouattara forces seized Gbagbo’s residence, situated in the leafy Cocody neighbourhood, but the information could not independently confirmed and a pro-Gbagbo military source who asked not to be named denied it.
“They are in control. But if (Gbagbo’s) there or not I don’t know,” spokesman Patrick Achi told Reuters by phone.
France said its military was supporting the U.N. peacekeeping force at U.N. request, targeting Gbagbo’s heavy weapons stockpiles and armoured vehicles equipped with heavy guns and rocket launchers.
Several thousand pro-Ouattara fighters entered Abidjan from the north in a convoy of transporters, pick-ups mounted with heavy machineguns, and 4x4s loaded with fighters bearing Kalashnikovs and rocket launchers.
Their commanding officer, Issiaka “Wattao” Ouattara, told Reuters he had 4,000 men with him plus another 5,000 already in the city. Asked how long he would need to take Abidjan, Wattao said: “It could take 48 hours to properly clear (the city).”
DISPUTED VOTE
Gbagbo has refused to cede power after an election last November that U.N.-certified results showed Ouattara won. Gbagbo rejected the results and accused the United Nations of bias. The standoff has now revived the civil war of 2002-3.
