Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abidjan (Agenzia Fides) - "Although the fighting ceased days ago in Abidjan, the population still live in a climate of insecurity. Despite this, life is returning back to normality" Church sources told Fides from Abidjan, the economic and administrative capital of Côte d'Ivoire, which for security reasons cannot be mentioned. The country is trying to overcome the crisis and violence arising from the clash between the forces of former President Laurent Gbagbo and the current Head of State, Alassane Ouattara. The clash broke out when Gbagbo had not recognized the victory of Ouattara in the presidential ballot last November. "It is in the evening when people are afraid to leave the house - refer our sources -. The trauma of recent fighting is still alive and so the climate of insecurity felt by the population is understandable, even when there are no events that nourish it. "
The Ivorian government reported that 220 civilians have been killed in the south-west of the country, by militias and mercenaries from Gbagbo fleeing from their strongholds in some districts of Abidjan. Previously mass graves in western Ivory Coast had been discovered, with the bodies of hundreds of civilians. These massacres were instead blamed, by several parties, on the pro Ouattara forces. These crimes will be investigated by a Commission for Truth and Reconciliation, whose creation was recently announced by President Ouattara.
"As regards to the humanitarian situation there are still some IDPs hosted in a parish in Yopougon (a district of Abidjan), but the most serious situation is to Duékué (in the west) where the displaced are 10-15 thousand. These people have lost everything: their homes and their villages were burned, " recall sources of Fides.
Last week, from Thursday 12 to Saturday, May 14, three days of national mourning to remember the victims of the massacres were proclaimed. On this occasion, Archbishop Jean-Pierre Kutwa, Archbishop of Abidjan, during an ecumenical ceremony, condemned the violence and especially called on all Ivorians to reconciliation and peace. "All the Bishops in the Sunday homilies recalled the victims and appealed for harmony," say sources of Fides.
In June, the Plenary Assembly will meet at the annual Ivorian Episcopal Conference: It will be the first opportunity for the Bishops of Côte d'Ivoire to be together after the violence of recent months, and an official stance on these events is likely to be released. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 16/05/2011)
