Nigeria , France Evacuate Diplomats From Cote D'ivoire

Nigeria , France Evacuate Diplomats From Cote D'ivoire

Nigeria has evacuated diplomats at its embassy in Cote D'ivoire after a gun duel at the building.

Foreign Minister, Odein Ajumogobia said the evacuation was to safeguard the lives of Nigerians in the troubled West African country, following a political crisis emanating from a November 28 polls.

The November 28 presidential election has triggered a violent standoff between incumbent Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara, recognised as victor by the international community.

Gbagbo has refused to step down despite international pressure and sanctions backed by world leaders.

Call for recount of votes

Meanwhile, the incumbent Gbagbo has invited an international committee to re-examine the results of the disputed election.

He said on national broadcast that the committee could be headed by the African Union and involving the West African organisation, ECOWAS, the United Nations, the United States , the European Union, Russia and China .

In his first TV address since the poll, Mr. Gbagbo stressed his legitimacy and said he did not want another civil war for the country.

In his words, “I don't want another war; I don't want any more Ivorian blood to be spilled.”

Mr. Gbagbo said Mr. Ouattara could leave the Golf Hotel in Abidjan , where he has set up his headquarters.

UN Warns of risks

Despite this assurance, UN Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, has warned there is a ‘real risk' of a return to civil war in Cote D'Ivoire after the disputed presidential election.

According to Mr. Ban, Gbagbo was illegally trying to expel the UN's peacekeeping force after it recognised Alassane Ouattara as victor.

Earlier, an ally of Mr. Gbagbo warned the peacekeepers that they could be treated as rebels if they did not go.

Economic misery

Prices of items are shooting up, transport is choked by strikes or fears of civil war and a cocoa industry that is still the life blood of the once affluent West African economy is increasingly in disarray.

The standoff between Gbagbo and Ouattara has shut down businesses and disrupted transport activities.

A freight transporters' union has announced a strike in support of Ouattara. Other transporters have stayed indoors out of fear.

Meanwhile, the army has announced the lifting of a nightly curfew, so families could enjoy the end of year holidays and the New Year.

REUTERS/Dare/Qasim/Yinka