Korhogo (Cote d’Ivoire) Over 4,500 soldiers from the UN and French missions in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI and Licorne), the Ivorian defence and security forces (FDS) and the armed forces of the New Forces (FAFN, former rebels) were deployed to ensure the security of President Laurent Gbagbo during his visit on Wednesday to the north of the country, APA has noted.
The leaders of these four forces met on Tuesday to put the final touches to the security operation.
The UN and French peacekeeping forces are jointly taking part in the security services of President Gbagbo’s visit to the north of the country on request of the Ivorian authorities, Lt-Colonel Jacques Combalieu of the French forces explained.
“The mission of the French forces in Cote d’Ivoire is to be ready to help the UNOCI which, in turn, backs the local forces,” the French senior officer said.
“We come as third cordon because President Gbagbo’s security is first ensured by the Defence and Security Forces (FDS), the Armed forces of the New Forces (FAFN) and then UNOCI troops”, Lt-Colonel Combalieu said.
According to him, “the French troops have mobilised technical communication facilities between the units and we pre-positioned certain facilities in Korhogo, particularly a transmission system which would enable us to back the UN soldiers, if necessary”.
For the accommodation, there are no more rooms in the hotels, the private homes and other houses were rented out on the occasion at inflated prices.
The enthusiasm has reached the bars, the restaurants, and the markets on the occasion of President Gbagbo’s visit to the country’s northern region, the stronghold of the former rebellion which is now committed to the peace process after five years of a fratricide and divisive war.
Published by Korir, API/APN africanpress@chello.no source.apa
