Laurent Gbagbo Supporters ‘Join Army’

Thousands of supporters of Ivory Coast’s disputed President Laurent Gbagbo have gathered at an army base to enlist, amid fears the crisis could destabilise West Africa.

The young activists were heeding a call to join the army from a key ally of Mr Gbagbo, Charles Ble Goude. He urged them to fight supporters of Alassane Ouattara, widely recognised as the winner of last year’s elections.

Forces loyal to Mr Ouattara have gained more territory in the west. The New Forces ex-rebels have taken the town of Blolequin, residents say – the fifth they have seized in recent weeks. The fighting has led some 90,000 people to cross into neighbouring Liberia, the UN refugee agency says.

UNHCR head Antonio Guterres said the conflict could affect countries across West Africa. “The risks of destabilising the region are enormous,” he told the BBC’s Network Africa programme.

He pointed out that Liberia was a poor country recovering from its own civil war and said hundreds of other refugees had also crossed into Ghana. Ivory Coast, the world’s largest cocoa producer, used to enjoy the highest living standards in West Africa.

The November election was supposed to reunite it after a 2002-3 civil war but Mr Gbagbo refuses to cede power.