Abidjan (Editorial / Agencies) - Thousands of women marched on Tuesday in the capital of Ivory Coast calling for the resignation of President Laurent Gbagbo, but witnesses said security forces shot dead four people near a protest and another was dispersed by armed youths. Shootings occurred in several other places where protests took place during the afternoon and at least four deaths occurred in the peaceful demonstration of women.
Meanwhile, The United Nations says some 450,000 people have fled their homes as a result of post-electoral crisis that African leaders will discuss again on Wednesday at African Union headquarters in Ethiopia, reports Reuters. The demonstrations were conducted in several areas of Abidjan, Ivory Coast's main city, a week after Gbagbo's forces shot dead seven women in a march for gender in Abobo, a district that has supported Alassane Ouattara, Gbagbo's rival for the presidency.
Since Gbagbo rejected the UN-certified results that showed his defeat in the November election against Ouattara supporters of the latter have seen their protest attempts have met with violent repression. The marches on Tuesday initially seemed to be peaceful, but continued firing. In the commercial district of Treichville, witnesses said security forces opened fire on young supporters of Ouattara near a church, killing three men and a woman of 21 years.
There was no immediate comment from Gbagbo's military. Fears that violence will disrupt supplies have driven the price of cocoa to their highest in 32 years. Cocoa exports have been halted because of European Union sanctions. Gbagbo's officials announced Monday a plan to nationalize the cocoa industry, raising fears that can take over their reservations.
In Port Bouet, near Abidjan airport, witnesses said about 50 supporters of Gbagbo youths armed with machetes and assault rifles AK-47 dispersed at 200 women who tried to march in place. 
Meanwhile, The United Nations says some 450,000 people have fled their homes as a result of post-electoral crisis that African leaders will discuss again on Wednesday at African Union headquarters in Ethiopia, reports Reuters. The demonstrations were conducted in several areas of Abidjan, Ivory Coast's main city, a week after Gbagbo's forces shot dead seven women in a march for gender in Abobo, a district that has supported Alassane Ouattara, Gbagbo's rival for the presidency.
Since Gbagbo rejected the UN-certified results that showed his defeat in the November election against Ouattara supporters of the latter have seen their protest attempts have met with violent repression. The marches on Tuesday initially seemed to be peaceful, but continued firing. In the commercial district of Treichville, witnesses said security forces opened fire on young supporters of Ouattara near a church, killing three men and a woman of 21 years.
There was no immediate comment from Gbagbo's military. Fears that violence will disrupt supplies have driven the price of cocoa to their highest in 32 years. Cocoa exports have been halted because of European Union sanctions. Gbagbo's officials announced Monday a plan to nationalize the cocoa industry, raising fears that can take over their reservations.
In Port Bouet, near Abidjan airport, witnesses said about 50 supporters of Gbagbo youths armed with machetes and assault rifles AK-47 dispersed at 200 women who tried to march in place.
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