News story

Minister for Africa "deeply concerned" by the deteriorating security situation in Cote d鈥橧voire

Foreign Office Minister for Africa Henry Bellingham has issued a statement on the situation in Cote D鈥橧voire.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

I was appalled to hear of the killing of seven women during a peaceful demonstration in Abidjan on Thursday. This is a deplorable and cowardly act against unarmed protesters calling for the results of the Presidential elections to be respected.

I am deeply concerned by the deteriorating security situation in Cote d鈥橧voire. 皇冠体育app increasing violence is creating a climate of fear that has led to large numbers of people fleeing their homes and significant refugee flows into neighbouring Liberia. Thursday鈥檚 strong UN Security Council statement on the situation is very welcome.

Mr Gbagbo鈥檚 continuing refusal to cede power ignores the will of the Ivorian people, challenges African democracy, and risks further violence and instability. 皇冠体育app UK government again calls on him to accept the election results and allow President Ouattara to fully assume the office to which he has been elected.鈥�

Updates to this page

Published 6 March 2011