Ouattara taken to task over hunters

[iolsa]

Abidjan - Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara was taken to task on Monday over the proliferation of traditional "dozo" hunters, who fought alongside his forces during the country's 2010-2011 political crisis and are now accused of threatening the reconciliation process.

In a three-hour meeting with 1 000 people from western Ivory Coast's Cavally and Guemon regions - the scene of the deadliest clashes during the December 2010 to April 2011 post-electoral crisis - Ouattara was told that the traditional hunters must be disarmed.

Numerous dozos, whose charms are believed to protect them from harm, fought alongside pro-Ouattara forces against ex-Ivorian leader Laurent Gbagbo's troops, and have since spread out beyond their home region in the north.

Their numbers have swelled to several thousand, and they help carry out security missions in some areas.

Privat Oula, deputy speaker of the National Assembly, said during the meeting with Ouattara at the presidential palace that the Achilles heel of Ivory Coast "remains fragile peace, with security as the major concern".

"The plethora of dozos, the presence of similar people in their ranks, the lack of respect to administrative and traditional authorities constitute a major threat to the process of reconciliation" and to "peace in our regions", he said.

Felix Tyeoulou, a high-ranking official, complained that some dozos and members of the armed forces have been guilty of abuses.

"We are asking that former fighters be disarmed," he said.

In response, Ouattara said he "agreed entirely" on the issue of dozos, saying that there is a "proliferation of this activity which is completely abnormal".

He promised a clean-up and added that "the priority should be disarming everyone who is holding arms illegally. That's what we are doing."

Gbagbo's refusal to cede power after losing 2010 elections to Ouattara led to a five-month power struggle that killed more than 3 000 people. - AFP



IOLSA