Ivorian security sector remains weak

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ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- While Ivory Coast has recovered economically from the brink of civil war, the security sector is still in need of work, an analyst said.

President Alassane Ouattara's administration blamed supporters of former President Laurent Ggabgo for launching attacks on military installations in Abidjan this month.

The United Nations' humanitarian news agency IRIN quotes Ggabgo's party as rejecting the allegations.

Fighters loyal to either camp pushed the country to the brink of civil war following contested presidential elections in 2010. Violence decreased after Gbagbo was arrested with the help of French peacekeepers last year. He's awaiting trial at the International Criminal Court, though human rights groups suspect both sides likely committed atrocities during the conflict.

Merchants in Abidjan told IRIN that commercial life was moderately normal there, though security was still a concern.

Kevin Adou, secretary-general of the Ivorian Center for Research Action for Peace, told the U.N. news agency that the government should get to the bottom of the latest attacks.

"Efforts have been made on the economic front, but security is still weak," he said. "It is difficult to know who is behind this series of attacks. An investigation should be carried out to identify the perpetrators and what they want."