A/HRC/17/48
first time since the elections an armed group engaged in military action against FDS in the
capital. On 22 February, there was a violent fighting between elements of FDS, including
CECOS, and members of the Invisible Commando, in which several people were killed.
51.
On 3 March, seven women and one young man were shot dead by FDS in the
crackdown on the “March of women”, in which nearly 3000 women had gathered at
Carrefour Anador (Abobo) to call for the departure of Mr. Gbagbo and protest against
human rights violations perpetrated in their area.
52.
Between 6 and 7 March, retaliatory action by the Invisible Commando against
members of the Ebrié group considered to be supporting Mr. Gbagbo in the village of
Anonkoua-Kouté in Abobo left 15 dead and forcibly displaced the entire Ebrié population
from the village.
53.
Between 13 and 22 March, the use of heavy weapons by elements of FDS, including
BAE, CECOS, the gendarmerie and the Republican Guard, against districts and populations
accused of being favourable to the candidate Ouattara, particularly in Yopougon,
Williamsville, Attécoubé, Adjamé and Abobo, resulted in the deaths of at least 40 people,
including women, children and older persons. Several hundred people were injured and the
inhabitants of entire neighbourhoods fled the ensuing violence.
54.
From April onwards, and particularly after the arrest of Mr.Gbagbo, the Yopougon
district became a symbol of fighting between the two camps. On 11 April, the great
majority of the militias and mercenaries retreated to this last pro-Gbagbo bastion. It was
also during that time that a large number of mercenaries were involved in attacks against
communities. For example, on 8 April 2011, the Dioula majority village of Locodjro
sustained an attack by several small joint groups of militiamen and mercenaries in which
seven people were killed by shooting or by fire. Between 11 and 22 April, at least 24 were
killed in the district of Yopougon.
55.
On 26 April, FRCI made a violent incursion into the villages of Abobo, PK-18 and
Anyama to crush the rebellion led by Ibrahim Coulibaly, who had appointed himself leader
of the Invisible Commando and who was seen as a threat to the new people in power. This
attack by heavy weapons left several dead and many wounded, including children and older
persons.
56.
On 6 May, Commander Cherif Ousmane declared the city liberated and the fighting
over.
57.
Since 11 April, and more particularly since early May, the city of Abidjan has seen a
violent crackdown by elements of FRCI in search of members of militias. This search has
resulted in abuses being committed against the Ebrié and Guéré populations. The
Commission questioned witnesses and itself noted almost daily cases of arbitrary detention,
torture and inhuman and degrading treatment suffered by individuals suspected of having
been members of militias or informers.
Description of the facts in the western and south-western regions
58.
According to information obtained from a variety of concordant sources,8 the
fighting began in that region with an FDS attack, on 23 February, of an FAFN position in
Bounta, in breach of the curfew. FAFN then launched a counteroffensive, attacking and
taking the western towns one after the other.
8
14
The Commission took cognizance, in particular, of the UNOCI report on violations of human rights
and international law in the western part of Côte d'Ivoire which, corroborating various information
obtained on the ground, offers a detailed analysis of the events in that region.
GE.11-14375 (EXT)
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents