Cote d'Ivoire Live Updates

3:51pm +07, 6 Apr

Diplomats worked to end the bloody stalemate gripping the West African nation of Ivory Coast after months of political unrest. Ray Suarez discusses the situation with the National Endowment for Democracy's Dominique Dieudonne, who was in Ivory Coast for the elections, and Peter Pham of the Atlantic Council's Africa Center. read more

What's Next for Ivory Coast's Gbagbo, Government, People?

Video by PBSNewsHour

3:40am +07, 6 Apr

The fighting in the streets of Abidjan has slowed Tuesday evening, and there is confusion about whether embattled Ivorian head of state Laurent Gbagbo is finally surrendering. read more

11:23pm +07, 5 Apr

AUDIO: Children and families flee violence in Ivory Coast read more

9:19pm +07, 5 Apr

Cote d'Ivoire's incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo's foreign minister said he is negotiating the terms of a ceasefire after several days of heavy fighting in Abidjan between his forces and those loyal to rival Alassane Ouattara. read more

Interview - YJ Choi: War in Cote d'Ivoire 'is over'

Video by AlJazeeraEnglish

8:25pm +07, 5 Apr

Gbagbo has sent Alcide Djédjé, his minister of foreign affairs and one of his closest advisors, to the French Embassy with orders to negotiate a cease-fire. Asked by RFI if Gbagbo is negotiating his departure, he said "that's a step I haven't been charged with. We'll have to attend to that issue in the coming hours." read more

8:00pm +07, 5 Apr

The humanitarian community online has been active Tuesday, continuing to send bulletins of emergency situations and connecting those in need to those who can help, using the twitter hashtag #civsocial. read more

7:33pm +07, 5 Apr

Eye witness report of the bombing of Akouedo, a military barrack under the control of pro-Gbagbo forces, on the outskirts of Abidjan, Ivory Coast. These recordings are made on 4 April 2011 read more

Bombing of Akouedo military base in Abidjan, Ivory Coast - Eyewitness report - Africanews.com

Video by Africanews

5:00pm +07, 5 Apr

VIdeo footage shows the fiercest fighting yet in the battle for Abidjan. read more

Ivory Coast: Gbagbo's palace comes under heavy attack

Video by Euronews

4:06pm +07, 5 Apr

Laurent Gbagbo is reportedly cornered in a bunker under his residence and negotiating a possible surrender with the French Ambassador. The conflict seems to have taken a decisive turn since late Monday when French and UN troops joined the firefight in Abidjan, destroying Gbagbo's heavy artillery, in what they said was a bid to protect civilians and UN troops who had both been targeted by Gbagbo's weaponry in recent days. read more

10:39am +07, 5 Apr

The U.N. says international forces have targeted areas around Ivory Coast's presidential palace where Laurent Gbagbo's forces were using heavy weaponry against civilians. read more

UN Forces Target Ivory Coast's Pres. Palace

Video by AssociatedPress

5:20am +07, 5 Apr

French military forces have been stepping up their action in Ivory Coast where a conflict between two claimants to the Presidency is becoming increasingly bitter. read more

Increased French military action in Ivory Coast

Video by Euronews

11:08pm +07, 4 Apr

Reuters reported mid-afternoon Monday that the promised "rapid assault" on Abidjan by Ouattara's forces has now begun. The commanding officer said he thought it could take up to 48 hours "to properly clean (the city)." read more

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Cote d'Ivoire Conflict - Live Updates

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After a military sweep through the country by the forces of Alassane Ouattara, the internationally recognized president of the country since elections in November, Cote d'Ivoire's violent political standoff - which has spawned over a million refugees - may finally be near its end. OneWorld's editors are following events from various online sources and bringing you all the key updates.

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View Abidjan Crisis Map in a larger map

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BACKGROUND

Challenger Allasane Ouattara has been recognized as the rightful president of Cote d'Ivoire by most of the international community since November 2008 elections in which he was judged to be the victor. Gbagbo has since refused to hand over power. A months-long power struggle ensued -- sometimes breaking out into violence -- splitting the country between the two camps.

Last Monday, Ouattara's forces began a dramatic 4-day military sweep of the country. Most of the pro-Gbagbo forces laid down their arms or actively joined the Ouattara camp. By Thursday evening, 31 March, Ouattara's forces had taken control of most of the country and stood on the edge of Abidjan, the country's largest city (population 5 million) and Gbagbo's stronghold.

As Ouattara's forces entered the city, gunfire and heavy arms explosions blanketed the city, trapping the 4 million remaining inhabitants in their homes (1 million had already fled before the fighting broke out). For several days, Ouattara's forces were unable to overcome Gbagbo's, and Gbagbo's were unable to repel Ouattara's. A humanitarian crisis brewed as injured and sick residents were unable to secure medicines or reach help. Food and water started to run short.

Over the weekend, UN and French troops who had been patrolling the city to protect civilians agreed to actively enter the fight, destroying the tanks and other heavy arms that Gbagbo's dwindling forces needed to maintain their strength. Once done, Gbagbo and his team were quickly surrounded in his residence, where he was reportedly negotiating his surrender by Tuesday evening, 5 April.

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