'Worrying' humanitarian situation in northern Cote d'Ivoire after clashes

Recent inter-ethnic clashes that broke out in Bouna locality in northeast Cote d'Ivoire have caused massive displacement of the local population, eyewitnesses told Xinhua on Monday, indicating further that the humanitarian situation was "worrying."

Fleeing from violence and fearing for a new wave of violence, thousands of men, women and children have taken refuge at the local base of the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire and at the regional administrator's home.

Other residents who fear for the escalation of the conflict have decided to flee to more secure regions.

A local official at one of the host sites told Xinhua the numbers of the displaced persons is high, while basic needs such as food and medication are in short supply.

"The violence has ceased but the problem today is the situation of promiscuity and its consequences that the people are living under," the official said.

Due to the situation, military authorities have found an interim solution that consists of escorting the displaced persons.

"Instead of them staying at different sites, we shall return them to their homes and guarantee their security," the commander of Cote d'Ivoire's land forces Gen. Soumahoro Gaoussou said.

Gaoussou further announced the launch of "systematic" disarmament of all people who are illegally holding weapons.

According to an official source, at least 22 people died in inter-ethnic clashes that broke out in Bouna, northeast of Cote d'Ivoire.

Some of those killed included Cote d'Ivoire army officers who had come to create a buffer between the belligerent sides.

Conflicts between farmers and herders are common in northern Cote d'Ivoire. The destruction caused on farms by animals is always the main cause of the disputes.

Source: XINHUA