31 March 2011
Forces loyal to Cote d’Ivoire’s internationally recognized president, Alassane Ouattara, have surrounded the commercial capital Abidjan while troops relied on by incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo have withdrawn their blockade of the hotel housing Ouattara and his cabinet, news reports said Thursday.
In a lightning advance across the country that has met little resistance from Cote d’Ivoire’s military, the Republican Forces captured several key towns, including the capital, Yamoussoukro, and the port of San Pedro before reaching the outskirts of Abidjan on Thursday. Small arms and heavy weapons fire could be heard in central Abidjan near the presidential palace and the national television offices, news reports said.
The whereabouts of Gbagbo were unknown on Thursday night, although state television announced that he was to address the nation. Earlier on Thursday, the army chief of staff, his wife and five children sought refuge at the residence of the South African envoy to Cote d’Ivoire.
The BBC reported that the head of the military police had defected and gone to Ouattara’s headquarters at the Golf Hotel.
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Cote d’Ivoire: Abidjan Surrounded, Arms Fire in Town