Secretary-General Ban concerned over attacks on UN vehicles in Côte d'Ivoire

13 Jan 2011

Secretary-General Ban concerned over attacks on UN vehicles in Côte d'Ivoire

13 January 2011 -- "The Secretary-General is deeply concerned that regular and irregular forces loyal to Mr. Gbagbo have begun to attack and burn United Nations' vehicles. Beginning this morning, there have been a total of six incidents involving such attacks in Abidjan where a UNOCI military vehicle was burned. A doctor and the driver of an ambulance targeted in one of the attacks were injured," according to a statement attributable to his spokesperson.

"The Secretary-General strongly condemns these attacks, as well as the armed attack by regular FDS forces on a UNOCI convoy in Abobo yesterday. He condemns the continuing use of the State broadcasting corporation, RTI to instigate violence against the United Nations peacekeeping mission, including false information alleging that United Nations peacekeepers are extending active support to Forces Nouvelles soldiers," the statement continued.

"The Secretary-General once again warns those responsible for organizing and carrying out such attacks that they will be held accountable. He stresses that both attacks on peacekeepers and destruction of assets deployed for purposes of protecting civilians constitute crimes under international law," the statement concluded.