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Soldiers loyal to democratically elected president Alassane Ouattara return from fighting to a checkpoint serving as an operating base. AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell
Live BlogOuattara forces have killed civilians in Ivory Coast: Report
A leading human rights group has claimed that forces loyal to the democratically elected president have killed and raped civilians in the western part of Ivory Coast.
A HUMAN RIGHTS group has said that forces loyal to Ivory Coast’s democratically elected president have killed hundreds of civilians, raped his rival’s supporters and burned villages in the country’s west.
The Human Rights Watch report calls on Alassane Ouattara to investigate and prosecute abuses by his forces and those supporting rival Laurent Gbagbo.
The group also says forces loyal to Gbagbo killed more than 100 civilians to retaliate against pro-Ouattara fighters who launched a major offensive advancing towards the city of Abidjan.
Violence since elections in November has left hundreds dead and has forced up to 1 million people to flee.
The UN this week said it was concerned about violence in the west after more than 100 bodies were found, with some victims burned alive.
- AP
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