New Democrat (Monrovia)
17 May 2011
Ivory Coast is seeking international assistance to reinforce its border with Liberia as means of halting the return and flow of mercenaries, according to AFP.
The move follows reports that Liberian mercenaries allegedly fighting with pro-Gbagbo forces had killed several civilians and looted their properties as they retreated.
Other reports say the mercenaries fought along side both Ouattara and Gbagbo forces.
Security officials told this paper that several mercenaries have been arrested, and the search for their hidden weapons is on. Police said infiltrated weapons from Ivory Coast have led to a rise in armed robberies, particularly in border areas like Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County.
The reports said Ivory Coast plans to reinforce security along the border with neighboring Liberia to prevent the return of Liberian mercenaries to its territory, the government said.
Prime Minister Guillaume Soro invites the international community to help secure the border, according to an e-mailed statement yesterday from government spokesman Patrick Achi.
At least 220 civilians were killed in western Ivory Coast by militias and Liberian mercenaries who had backed former President Laurent Gbagbo as they retreated to Liberia, according to the statement.
The mercenaries fled the country after forces loyal to President Alassane Ouattara captured Gbagbo following a civil war.
The Ivorian Defense Ministry on May 10 put the number of dead at 174.
The government also urged almost 160,000 Ivorian refugees in Liberia to return to Ivory Coast, according to the statement.
AllAfrica – All the Time
Taken from:
‘Mercenaries’ Force Border Beef-Up