Ghanaians in La Cote d'Ivoire in danger

Reports reaching the New Statesman from La Cote d'Ivoire indicate that many Ghanaian nationals in the country are living in constant fear of possible attacks from some Ivorians who are said to be angered by reports that the Ghanaian government is harbouring some Ivorian dissidents who are allegedly plotting to overthrow the Ouattara government.

The report was yesterday confirmed by one Ghanaian national who said on Accra based Citi FM that Ghanaians in La Cote d'Ivoire had become targets for possible attack because some Ivorians, mainly from the North of the country, had been threatening to kill them.

“We need to talk to them to let them know that it is not true [that Ghana is harbouring dissidents who are plotting to overthrow the Ouattara government] otherwise they are going to kill the Ghanaians here,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Government has directed its mission in La Cote d'Ivoire to alert all Ghanaian residents to be cautious about their pronouncements and activities in order to avoid any attack from pro-Ouattara supporters.

Deputy Minister of Information Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said on Citi FM the government was monitoring the situation carefully.

He added that despite the disturbing reports, President Mills would still attend the investiture of President Ouattara.

“The invitation to President Mills is still standing. The Ivorian President is in talks with our President and they have assured him that they would do anything possible to guarantee his safety and they really want to see him at the investiture this weekend. We are also asking our mission in Ivory Coast to continue to monitor reports and ask that the Ghanaians who are living in Ivory Coast remain very cautious about their activities and pronouncements so that they do not unnecessarily attract any attack,” he stressed.

In spite of assurances from President Mills that Ghana “will not tolerate any group of persons to use Ghana as a base to create trouble for our neighbours,” les Forces Nouvelles de Côte d'Ivoire (the New Forces), the main military force in the Republican Forces which led the recent military action to overthrow Laurent Gbagbo, has accused Ghana of hosting pro-Gbagbo men who are allegedly planning to destabilize La Cote d'Ivoire.

The Ivorians have hinted of a possible international arrest warrants being issued from La Cote d'Ivoire for the extradition of the alleged coup plotters who are said to be seeking refuge in Ghana in spite of denials from the Ghanaian leader.

The New Forces have named former Defence Ministers and security advisor to deposed leader Gbagbo and a known associate of Capt (Rtd) Kojo Tsikata, Kadet Bertin, former Naval Commander Konan Boniface, and Moussa Toure Zeguen, head of a pro-Gbagbo militia group known as the GPP, as among those hiding in Ghana and plotting to overthrow the legitimately elected leader of Cote d'Ivoire.

According to Soro's army, the Ghanaian-based dissidents “can continue to dream and imagine themselves overthrowing the government of President Alassane Ouattara.”

He warns, “That will become their worse nightmare and suicidal for any nation that supports this path.”