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Ivory Coast: UN goes Off Air

February 10, 2011   ·   0 Comments

By Kwamena JAFFUUL -Ghana

Frequencies assigned to the United Nations in the West African nation Ivory Coast to broadcast her mission via its Onuci-FM radio has been taken off air following an order from strongman Laurent Gbagbo on Wednesday.

In a statement, the National Council of Audiovisual Communication read on public television.

“The frequencies assigned to UNOCI (United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire) have been withdrawn,” said a statement from the National Council of Audiovisual Communication read on public television.
Forces loyal to Gbagbo on Tuesday clashed with supporters of Ouattara in Abidjan, further tumbling the likelihood of a peaceful solution to the West Africa country’s problematic political standoff can be reached in the near future.

UN Security Council last month voted to send an extra 2 000 peacekeepers to Ivory Coast, taking the total there to 11 500 but  Gbagbo, who has refused to stand down as president following November 28 polls, has demanded the departure of UN troops.

The head of West African bloc ECOWAS last week slammed attempts to compromise with Gbagbo, saying international solidarity against him had waned.

Gbagbo has accused UNOCI of supporting his rival Alassane Ouattara, recognised by virtually the entire international community as the winner of the presidential election.
Gbagbo remains in the presidential palace while Ouattara has made his base in an Abidjan hotel, partly protected by international peacekeepers.

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