THE SIEGE OF ABIDJAN
The siege of Abidjan refers to the clashes, which took place in the Ivorian capital in 2011, between the forces of the outgoing president, Laurent Gbagbo and the forces of the elected president, Alassane Ouattara.
During the night of 30 to 31 March, Ouattara declared a three-day curfew and UNOCI took control of the airport following the departure of the Ivorian security forces.
As a result of existing international agreements, the UN force, UNOCI, as well as the “Licorne force” of the French army in Côte d'Ivoire, fired on pro-Gbagbo positions, with the aim of neutralizing their heavy weapons to protect the civilian population and the UN force.
Clashes in neighbourhoods in Abidjan and in the west of the country threw thousands of people out onto the streets as the fighting rapidly escalated.
In Abidjan, according to health authorities, six hospitals saw almost all health staff leaving because of insecurity. Only one hospital was functional: Abobo Sud, where, since the end of February 2011, Médecins Sans Frontières was treating medical and surgical emergencies in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
In April 2011, after the military defeat of Laurent Gbagbo, the Ivorian Constitutional Council proclaimed Alassane Ouattara President of the Republic.
Read MoreDuring the night of 30 to 31 March, Ouattara declared a three-day curfew and UNOCI took control of the airport following the departure of the Ivorian security forces.
As a result of existing international agreements, the UN force, UNOCI, as well as the “Licorne force” of the French army in Côte d'Ivoire, fired on pro-Gbagbo positions, with the aim of neutralizing their heavy weapons to protect the civilian population and the UN force.
Clashes in neighbourhoods in Abidjan and in the west of the country threw thousands of people out onto the streets as the fighting rapidly escalated.
In Abidjan, according to health authorities, six hospitals saw almost all health staff leaving because of insecurity. Only one hospital was functional: Abobo Sud, where, since the end of February 2011, Médecins Sans Frontières was treating medical and surgical emergencies in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
In April 2011, after the military defeat of Laurent Gbagbo, the Ivorian Constitutional Council proclaimed Alassane Ouattara President of the Republic.
