31 March 2011
Last updated at 04:54 ET
Forces loyal to one of Ivory Coast’s rival presidents, Alassane Ouattara, have captured the key cocoa-exporting port of San Pedro, residents say.
The fighters began their advance from the north against incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo on Monday.
A BBC reporter says Mr Gbagbo’s army now only controls about a quarter of the West African nation.
The UN, which recognises Mr Ouattara as winner of November’s poll, has voted to impose sanctions on Mr Gbagbo’s circle.
They add to economic measures already taken by the EU and African groups.
The UN resolution, drafted by France and Nigeria, imposes a travel ban and assets freeze on Mr Gbagbo, his wife Simone and three of his closest associates.
One million people have fled the violence – mostly from the main city Abidjan in the south – and at least 473 people have been killed since December, according to the UN.
‘Shooting’
Analysis
Yamoussoukro is the capital in name only – with all state institutions still in the former capital Abidjan.
But it is still a highly symbolic victory; this is the hometown of Ivory Coast’s first President, Felix Houphouet-Boigny. It is also home to some significant pro-Gbagbo forces, who seem to have put up little resistance to the arrival of pro-Ouattara troops.
The way is now open for forces to Abidjan, less than three hours away along the country’s only major highway. Along the way south, the pro-Ouattara forces that took Yamoussoukro should be joined by colleagues coming through from the west, while the eastern flank may also reach northern Abidjan around the same time.
If President Gbagbo decides to stay on and fight, the battle for Abidjan is likely to be fierce. But before the main body of pro-Ouattara forces arrive, the city is already increasingly insecure and Mr Gbagbo’s hold on power already looks shaky.
The south-western port of San Pedro has been a key objective for Mr Ouattara because it would allow him to export cocoa and lumber, and will allow his supporters to resupply by sea.
Residents told the BBC there was sporadic shooting overnight after pro-Ouattara forces marched into the world’s biggest cocoa-exporting port late on Wednesday.
They said the fighters now control the port area and the town centre.
In a separate advance on Wednesday, pro-Ouattara forces seized the capital, Yamoussoukro, as they moved south on three fronts from their northern bases.
The biggest city Abidjan, 240km (150 miles) south of the capital, remains largely under the control of Mr Gbagbo.
But the BBC’s John James says that Yamoussoukro’s capture is a major symbolic victory for the pro-Ouattara forces.
A Yamoussoukro resident told the BBC’s Newshour programme: “People are in the streets waiting for them, clapping for them.
Ivory Coast: Battle for power
- 473 killed, one million fled since disputed election
- 9,000 UN peacekeepers monitor 2003 ceasefire
- World’s largest cocoa producer
- Once was haven of peace and prosperity in West Africa
- Alassane Ouattara recognised as president-elect
- International sanctions imposed to force Laurent Gbagbo to go
“There are no soldiers for Laurent Gbagbo in the town now,” he said.
The UN said attacks on civilians by pro-Gbagbo youths continued on Wednesday in Abidjan.
The enrolment of these youths into the army was due to start on Wednesday to replace soldiers who are not turning up for work or who have changed sides, our correspondent says.
Following the capture of towns in the west, a spokesman for Mr Gbagbo said the army had adopted a strategy of tactical withdrawal but warned it could use its “legitimate right of defence”.
Mr Gbagbo’s government offered a ceasefire on Tuesday but Mr Ouattara’s fighters dismissed the appeal as a diversion.
The pro-Ouattara forces have controlled the north of the country since a 2002 civil war.
Pro-Gbagbo troops have lost every battle against them since last November’s election, our reporter says.
Continued here:
Ivory Coast ‘cocoa port seized’