ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Attacks on supporters of former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo in Abidjan undermine efforts at national reconciliation, the U.N. mission there said.
A group of young men armed with sticks attacked demonstrators marching on Abidjan in support of the Ivorian Popular Front party, a party loyal to Gbagbo.
Authorities and the citizens of Ivory Coast said they were encouraged by the U.N. mission, known by its French acronym UNOCI, to honor the spirit of national reconciliation.
Authorities, the mission said in a statement, are called on "to take the appropriate action to find out the truth about the circumstances, nature and extent of the incidents, in order to identify those responsible with a view to taking the required measures in accordance with the law."
Ivory Coast was pushed to the brink of civil war following a political stalemate that lasted from November to April. The international community recognized Alassane Ouattara as the winner of a November election though incumbent President Gbagbo refused to stand down.
The International Criminal Court estimates at least 3,000 people were killed in the ensuing violence. There were also 100 reported cases of rape and 520 people were arbitrarily arrested.
Ouattara requested the investigation in a letter to the ICC. Humanitarian groups and the ICC said there is cause to believe both sides of the conflict committed crimes that fall under the court's jurisdiction.
