The United States condemns the renewed assault by forces loyal to former President Gbagbo against the Republican Forces of Cote d’Ivoire. It is clear that Gbagbo’s attempts at negotiation this week were nothing more than a ruse to regroup and rearm. Gbagbo’s continued attempt to force a result that he could not obtain at the ballot box reveals his callous disregard for the welfare of the Ivoirian people, who will again suffer amid renewed heavy fighting in Abidjan.
We call on Gbagbo to cease these hostilities, direct his supporters to stand down, and surrender to President Ouattara’s legitimately-elected government. We reiterate to all forces the urgent need to respect the rights of civilians and to fulfill United Nations Security Council Resolution obligations and requirements of the international community. We salute President Ouattara’s affirmation of the need for credible investigations of abuses perpetrated by any party, and welcome his commitment to govern for all Ivoirians.
