Abidjan, April 05: Forces loyal to internationally recognized Ivory Coast president-elect Alassane Ouattara have launched an all-out offensive on the country’s main city, Abidjan.
A spokesman for Ouattara says their forces have targeted the presidential palace where incumbent Laurent Gbagbo has been holed up.
“At 13:00, movements started towards four large corridors. We are securing our passage. The objective is to converge on Plateau (center) and Cocody (north). The offensive has been launched,” Spokesman Sidiki Konate said on Monday.
Ouattara’s Prime Minister Guillaume Soro had earlier said that the time was right for a “rapid offensive” against Abidjan.
Abidjan is the largest city and former capital of Ivory Coast.
Ouattara’s loyalists are battling to forcefully remove Gbagbo who refuses to step down.
They captured most of the country after launching a major offensive one week ago. But the battle for Abidjan has been much harder.
Sporadic gunfire and explosions were heard in the city on Sunday and residents for the most part are staying inside their homes.
The UN mission has begun moving hundreds of its employees out of Abidjan after repeated attacks on its headquarters.
Earlier, the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged Ouattara to investigate hundreds of deaths blamed partly on his forces in Duekoue.
Deadly violence erupted in the West African nation after a disputed presidential election in November. While much of the international community has recognized Ouattara as the winner of the vote, Gbagbo refuses to cede power.
Tensions further escalated after they both claimed victory and appointed separate cabinets.
Months of unrest in the country has left hundreds dead and displaced around one million people.
——–Agencies