ICC seeks Ivory Coast 'massacres' probe

Backers of Ivory Coast strongman Laurent Gbagbo seized by supporters of Ivory Coast's internationally recognised leader Alassane Ouattara are held on Tuesday at the Golf Hotel, Ouattara's headquarters in Abidjan.Photo: AFP

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, plans to launch a formal probe into alleged mass killings in Ivory Coast, a statement said yesterday.
The statement headed "Widespread or systematic killings in Cote d'Ivoire may trigger ... investigation" said Moreno-Ocampo's office was particularly concerned about reported massacres in the west of the wartorn country.
"The office continues to collect information on alleged crimes committed there by different parties to the conflict," it said.
Several hundred people were reportedly massacred in the western town of Duekoue last week, with forces loyal to rivals Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara blaming each other.
The next step will be for the prosecutor to use his independent power to request authorisation from the court to initiate an investigation, the statement added.
It noted that while Ivory Coast did not sign the Rome Statute setting up the ICC both Gbagbo, whose refusal to step down after presidential elections triggered the current wave of fighting, and Ouattara recognised internationally as his successor, had accepted the court's jurisdiction.
However if a state party of the Rome Statute refers Ivory Coast to the ICC prosecutor "he can proceed faster with an investigation and start to prepare a request for an arrest warrant for those most responsible for crimes in Ivory Coast," it said.
Backers of Ivory Coast strongman Laurent Gbagbo yesterday accused French troops and forces loyal to his rival Alassane Ouattara of staging an assassination attempt by attacking his residence and the presidential palace.
"Heavy weapons fire is targeting his residence with aerial and ground support from Licorne," Gbagbo's spokesman Ahoua Don Mello said, referring to the name of the French forces in the country.
"It is an attempted assassination of president Gbagbo."
Ouattara forces have admitted launching an assault in a bid to force a defiant Gbagbo to surrender.
Licorne (Unicorn) spokesman Frederic Daguillon denied his troops' involvement.
"Licorne is not participating in the assault and is dedicating itself yesterday to the protection of foreign citizens," he said.
"Today the Licorne force will make contact with foreigners north of the bridges (linking the suburbs of Plateau and Treichville) to know if they would like to be placed under French protection."