Ivory Coast: Gbagbo pendants prevent UN investigation

The Ivorian electoral losers Laurent Gbagbo clings to the presidency and is therefore isolated internationally. But to his supporters he can count on still. They refused the UN human rights experts access to suspected mass graves. Abidjan - followers of unauthorized remaining in office Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo have prevented according to UN figures investigations into alleged mass graves.

A team of human rights experts had wanted to check in several places information about mass graves, a spokesman for the UN mission in Ivory Coast said on Thursday. So far, however, Gbagbo's supporters have denied the UN experts access. Finally, the team had therefore tried on Tuesday to reach Anyama near the capital, Abidjan.

The village will, however, guarded by armed followers of Gbagbo. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, meanwhile, warned against an attack on the headquarters of the internationally recognized election winner Alassane Ouattara. Such an attack threatens to degenerate into massive violence which could "ignite a civil war again," Ban said on Thursday in New York.

The UN had increased its peacekeeping contingent in the country to prevent a civil war. Gbagbo's supporters had on Wednesday threatened to storm the hotel, where Ouattara and his cabinet have entrenched under guard by UN peacekeepers. Gbagbo recognize the victory of his challenger Ouattara not.

The army and security forces stand by Gbagbo and have already delivered sch violent clashes with supporters Ouattaras. About 170 people were killed. The power struggle for the presidency in the Ivory Coast is driving more and more people from the country. Since the presidential election in late November more than 16,000 fled into neighboring Liberia, fearing a resurgence of the civil war in their homeland.

The United Nations fear that the number of refugees in Liberia may soon increase to 30,000. Send food to the land, build houses and try to ensure the drinking water supply to prevent the outbreak of diseases. The Liberians are concerned that the large number of refugees could lead to tensions with the locals.

• West African Leaders To Confront Laurent Gbagbo (28/12/2010)
• Hollywood White Males and the N-Word (02/11/2010)
• West African Leaders Give Gbagbo Ultimatum (28/12/2010)
• Gbagbo is pushing Ivory Coast to the brink of war (22/12/2010)
• Regional delegation demands Gbagbo step down (28/12/2010)