Abidjan (Editorial / Agencies) - The president recognized in Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara called for peace after his rival was arrested with the help of French troops, but ahead is an enormous task to reunite a country ravaged by civil war. Ouattara, who won in November's presidential election results as certified by the UN, can finally begin to assert their authority over the West African country after his predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo, was captured on Monday, ending more four months of deadlock that led to a full-scale armed conflict, reports Reuters.
Gbagbo, who had refused to resign from a post he was ten years old, was arrested after troops in the former French colony tighten the noose around the bunker where he had been confined for the last week, after being put under control forces Ouattara. Ouattara That leaves as the only leader in charge of the country, although many analysts say that may not be enough to end the conflict that has bloodied the world's leading producer of cocoa in recent weeks.
"I ask my compatriots to refrain from any form of retaliation and violence," Ouattara said in a speech on your television, TCI, on Monday, calling for a "new era of hope." "Our country has been a painful chapter in the story," he said, urging young people to disarm militants and promised to restore security to this battered nation.
Ethnic violence has been raging during the long struggle with Gbagbo, Ouattara, particularly in the west, where hundreds of people have died since both factions have committed atrocities against civilians, an aid group said. Ouattara said Gbagbo, his wife and aides who were arrested will face justice.
But he also promised a Truth and Reconciliation Commission South African style to shed light on all crimes and human rights abuses. The end of the standoff could clear the way for immediate resumption of exports of cocoa world's largest producer, and raises hopes that the country can meet its commitments for a Eurobond in a state of default, analysts said.
Cocoa prices in London remained virtually unchanged on Tuesday after heavy losses since mid-March, while the quoted Eurobond something down. Security vacuum in the country's commercial capital, Abidjan, where the population has remained trapped in their homes with little food and water while the fighting lasted for ten days, Ouattara faces an immediate challenge.
The few supplies, as well as frequent power cuts and shortages of medicines, have fed the fear that there is a humanitarian crisis unless the authorities act quickly. Ouattara called for calm and said he had asked his police force and gendarmerie, in addition to UN troops and France, to help restore security.
Gbagbo, looking subdued and off, spoke briefly on television TCI and demanded an end to the fighting after his arrest. But it's unclear whether militia proGbagbo, who promised to fight to the end and still control part of Abidjan, react to requests for surrender its weapons. Nor was it clear whether the 46 percent of Ivorians who voted for Gbagbo to accept election defeat.
In a sign of increasing tensions, residents Yopoygon district, north of Abidjan, said the armed militias still roaming the streets. "Last night there was shooting around 11 at night," said Jacques Kouakou, a resident told Reuters by telephone. "When we woke up this morning, we find that 14 young people from the neighborhood had been found shot dead," he added.
"Ouattara has to be very careful to control tensions in his country and appease the supporters of Gbagbo and resolve not only the election dispute, but a civil war that has been producing for ten years," said Mark Schroeder, Stratfor political consultant. The November elections intended to draw a line against the 2002-03 civil war that left the country divided in two.
Instead, ignited the conflict, killing more than 1,000 people and displacing one million. The final death toll likely to rise to thousands. Ouattara's legitimacy may be tainted by allegations that its troops killed hundreds of people making their way to Abidjan, which his aides deny. Participation of France also faces questions about the role played by the French Army to secure the arrest of its rival.
A column of more than 300 armored Frenchmen moved on Monday to Gbagbo's residence in Abidjan after French helicopters and attacked the UN compound during the night. Gbagbo was taken to the Golf Hotel in Abidjan, where his opponent has his headquarters. Ouattara television showed Gbagbo in a hotel room with Ouattara soldiers with him.
With a white vest, appeared to be healthy, but subject. He was given a towel and a clean green shirt, who stepped in front of the camera. His wife Simone, the qualities attributed many Ivorians of witchcraft, was with him at the hotel, looking disheveled. UN officials said that Gbagbo would be moved to a safe location on the outskirts of Abidjan, in the north.
"Do not spend the night in the hotel Golf," said UN envoy Youssoufou Bamba, told Reuters. Ouattara said he had taken all measures to ensure their safety, and to respect their rights. 
Gbagbo, who had refused to resign from a post he was ten years old, was arrested after troops in the former French colony tighten the noose around the bunker where he had been confined for the last week, after being put under control forces Ouattara. Ouattara That leaves as the only leader in charge of the country, although many analysts say that may not be enough to end the conflict that has bloodied the world's leading producer of cocoa in recent weeks.
"I ask my compatriots to refrain from any form of retaliation and violence," Ouattara said in a speech on your television, TCI, on Monday, calling for a "new era of hope." "Our country has been a painful chapter in the story," he said, urging young people to disarm militants and promised to restore security to this battered nation.
Ethnic violence has been raging during the long struggle with Gbagbo, Ouattara, particularly in the west, where hundreds of people have died since both factions have committed atrocities against civilians, an aid group said. Ouattara said Gbagbo, his wife and aides who were arrested will face justice.
But he also promised a Truth and Reconciliation Commission South African style to shed light on all crimes and human rights abuses. The end of the standoff could clear the way for immediate resumption of exports of cocoa world's largest producer, and raises hopes that the country can meet its commitments for a Eurobond in a state of default, analysts said.
Cocoa prices in London remained virtually unchanged on Tuesday after heavy losses since mid-March, while the quoted Eurobond something down. Security vacuum in the country's commercial capital, Abidjan, where the population has remained trapped in their homes with little food and water while the fighting lasted for ten days, Ouattara faces an immediate challenge.
The few supplies, as well as frequent power cuts and shortages of medicines, have fed the fear that there is a humanitarian crisis unless the authorities act quickly. Ouattara called for calm and said he had asked his police force and gendarmerie, in addition to UN troops and France, to help restore security.
Gbagbo, looking subdued and off, spoke briefly on television TCI and demanded an end to the fighting after his arrest. But it's unclear whether militia proGbagbo, who promised to fight to the end and still control part of Abidjan, react to requests for surrender its weapons. Nor was it clear whether the 46 percent of Ivorians who voted for Gbagbo to accept election defeat.
In a sign of increasing tensions, residents Yopoygon district, north of Abidjan, said the armed militias still roaming the streets. "Last night there was shooting around 11 at night," said Jacques Kouakou, a resident told Reuters by telephone. "When we woke up this morning, we find that 14 young people from the neighborhood had been found shot dead," he added.
"Ouattara has to be very careful to control tensions in his country and appease the supporters of Gbagbo and resolve not only the election dispute, but a civil war that has been producing for ten years," said Mark Schroeder, Stratfor political consultant. The November elections intended to draw a line against the 2002-03 civil war that left the country divided in two.
Instead, ignited the conflict, killing more than 1,000 people and displacing one million. The final death toll likely to rise to thousands. Ouattara's legitimacy may be tainted by allegations that its troops killed hundreds of people making their way to Abidjan, which his aides deny. Participation of France also faces questions about the role played by the French Army to secure the arrest of its rival.
A column of more than 300 armored Frenchmen moved on Monday to Gbagbo's residence in Abidjan after French helicopters and attacked the UN compound during the night. Gbagbo was taken to the Golf Hotel in Abidjan, where his opponent has his headquarters. Ouattara television showed Gbagbo in a hotel room with Ouattara soldiers with him.
With a white vest, appeared to be healthy, but subject. He was given a towel and a clean green shirt, who stepped in front of the camera. His wife Simone, the qualities attributed many Ivorians of witchcraft, was with him at the hotel, looking disheveled. UN officials said that Gbagbo would be moved to a safe location on the outskirts of Abidjan, in the north.
"Do not spend the night in the hotel Golf," said UN envoy Youssoufou Bamba, told Reuters. Ouattara said he had taken all measures to ensure their safety, and to respect their rights.
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