ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast.– United Nations forensic investigators have discovered at least 68 bodies in a mass grave in a soccer field in the Ivory Coast.
In the Yopougon district near Abidjan, Red Cross found a total of 10 mass graves. In the month of April, U.N. teams found over 200 bodies buried in a mass grave in the western town of Duekoue.
The bodies discovered in Abidjan were probably of those killed last month by forces loyal to the deposed president Laurent Gbagbo.
On April 12, just a day after Gbagdo was arrested by Ouattara followers, Abidjan saw heavy fighting between Alassane Ouattara loyalists and those of Gbagbo.
Gbagbo had refused to hand over power after losing the 2010 elections which resulted in unprecedented violence within the country, during more than 1,000 civilians were killed.
An independent, international commission of inquiry is investigating alleged human rights violations committed by the loyalists of each presidential candidate.
Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the U.N. Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, stated “Some of these crimes may amount to crimes against humanity”.
May 12, 2011
Africa, Ivory Coast