Ivorian women ‘shot during march’

Security forces in Ivory Coast have shot dead at least five women marching in support of Alassane Ouattara in the main city of Abidjan, witnesses say.

Mr Ouattara is recognised by the UN as the winner of November’s election, but incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo has refused to concede that he lost.

The shooting took place in Abobo, a pro-Ouattara stronghold which has seen violent clashes for more than a week.

It comes amid escalating tension between the two sides.

“Men in uniform drove up and started shooting randomly,” Idrissa Diarrassouba, a resident in Abobo, told Reuters news agency.

The women belonged to Mr Ouattara’s political alliance, the RHDP.

The BBC’s John James, in Abidjan, says the country has come to a standstill more than three months after the election.

International sanctions aimed at forcing President Gbagbo to hand over power have heavily reduced economic activity, while armed youths have set up road blocks around the main cities, he says.