By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, April 4 -- As forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara moved south in Cote d'Ivoire late last month, Inner City Press on March 28 asked UN spokesman Martin Nesirky about their victims in Duekoue, whether the UN was asking for restraint.
After the pro-Ouattara RFCI took Duekoue, there came reports of hundreds of civilians slaughtered. Caritas put the death toll at 1000, and the Red Cross at 800. The UN, which did little as the pro-Ouattara forces moved in, had a lower figure: 330.
On April 4, Inner City Press asked both top UN Peacekeeper Alain Le Roy and Ouattara's Ambassador to the UN Yousoufou Bamba about the killings at Duekoue and who will be held accountable.
Le Roy recited the varying death numbers, leaving out Caritas' and adding Ouattara's: 158. He said he spoke with Bamba, who said a prosecutor is being sent to Duekoue.
But Ouattara, like Gbagbo, had asked for the International Criminal Court and its prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo to take up the case of Cote d'Ivoire. Inner City Press on Monday asked Bamba if Ouattara wants the ICC and Ocampo to investigate Duekoue. Bamba answered about an “international investigation.”
Inner City Press asked Bamba about the killings and the numbers. Bamba immediately attacked Caritas, calling it “close to Gbagbo.”
Afterward, an NGO representative to the side of the Security Council stakeout suggested this was an ugly comment. It is, in fact, reminiscent of Sudan Omar al Bashir, or Libya's Gaddafi.
Bamba also chided the International Committee for the Red Cross for not identifying the victims. But their bodies were loaded onto trucks: it was not possible.
But it is inconvenient for the UN, and for France with its Force Licorne engaged in shooting at Gbagbo's palace to deal with mass killing by Ouattara. This is a test for the UN and certain members, particularly Permanent, of the UN Security Council. Watch this site.
From the UN's March 28, 2011 transcript:
Inner City Press: claims by the pro-Ouattara forces that they have taken the town of Duékoué and Guiglo, and so I just wonder, what’s… first of all, can you confirm this change of control of these towns, and two, what’s UNOCI… I guess it’s similar to the Libya question, is UNOCI calling for the, quote, rebel forces to not be, quote, taking towns or is this something that, in the UN view, is okay, not to be reported here?
Spokesperson: Well, the mission reports fresh fighting in Duékoué today, where the FRCI [Republican Forces of Côte d'Ivoire] forces continue to push east. I understand from the mission that local people have gathered at the mission premises there, seeking protection. That’s what I have for you on that.
