Nigeria moved the families of its diplomats in Ivory Coast’s main city, Abidjan, to neighboring Ghana “following the escalation of tension and clashes” in the country, a spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.
The Nigerian mission in Abidjan is open only for “essential services,” the spokesman, Ozo Nwobu, said in an e- mailed statement today.
Ivory Coast has been left with two governments since incumbent Laurent Gbagbo refused to resign after the country’s electoral commission named Alassane Ouattara the winner of a disputed presidential election on Nov. 28. Ouattara’s win was annulled by Ivory Coast’s Constitutional Council on Dec. 3. The council named incumbent Gbagbo as the victor after canceling ballots from the country’s north, alleging irregularities.
Pro-Gbagbo forces fired on marchers supporting Ouattara last week, killing at least 50 and wounding 240, according to the United Nations, which is protecting Ouattara’s administration at a hotel in Abidjan. The French government advised its citizens yesterday to leave Ivory Coast "temporarily."
Presidents of countries in the Economic Community of West African States will hold talks in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, on Dec. 24 to discuss developments in Ivory Coast, the regional body said.
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