2004 French–Ivorian clashes

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict= Ivorian-French clashes of 2004
partof=the Ivorian Civil War and Opération Licorne


caption=Map (click to enlarge)
date=November 6, 2004
place=Côte d'Ivoire
casus=
result=Destruction of the Ivorian Air Force
combatant1=flagicon|Cote d'Ivoire Cote d'Ivoire
combatant2=flagicon|France French contingent
commander1=flagicon|Cote d'Ivoire Laurent Gbagbo
commander2=flagicon|France Jacques Chirac
strength1=Unknown
strength2=4,000
casualties1=Unknown
casualties2=9 killed
37 wounded
casualties3=Civilian casualties:
20 Ivorians killed (French claim)
60 Ivorians killed (Ivorian claim)
1 US citizen killed

A clash between the armed forces of Côte d'Ivoire and French peacekeepers took place on November 6, 2004. This involved an Ivorian air attack on French soldiers in the north of Côte d'Ivoire, after which the French military responded swiftly by destroying the entire Ivorian Air Force, that is two airplanes and five helicopters. Those incidents were followed by massive anti-French protests in Côte d'Ivoire. It was the most serious crisis between France and its former colony since independence in 1960. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3989127.stm "Ivory Coast seethes after attack"] , BBC News, November 7, 2004.]

Timeline

On November 6 2004, at least one Ivorian Sukhoi Su-25 bomber attacked a position of France's Unicorn peacekeeping force in the rebel stronghold of Bouaké at 1 pm local time, killing nine French soldiersAnn Talbot, [http://www.wsws.org/articles/2004/nov2004/ivor-n09.shtml "Ivory Coast: protests erupt vs. French military strikes"] , World Socialist Web Site, November 9, 2004.] and wounding another 31. A US development worker, reported to have been a missionary, was also killed. According to the Ivorian government, the attack on the French was unintentional.

Within hours, French President Jacques Chirac personally ordered the destruction of the tiny Ivorian air force and the seizure of Yamoussoukro airport. The French military attacked the airport, destroying two Sukhoi Su-25 ground attack aircraft and three helicopter gunships. Two more military helicopters were destroyed in fighting over Abidjan.

France then flew in 300 reinforcements and put three Dassault Mirage F.1 jet fighters based in nearby Gabon on standby.

On November 7, armed mobs of government loyalists took to the streets of Abidjan, in anger against France. Rioters attacked a French school and army base. At Abidjan's airport, French and Ivorian forces exchanged shots and a French military plane was reportedly damaged. President Laurent Gbagbo appealed through a spokesman for an end to attacks on French interests pending an investigation into the events. French peacekeepers opened fire on thousands of demonstrators, killing 20 people, according to French figures, and 60, according to Ivorian authorities. [ [http://www.france24.com/en/20080614-ivory-coast-bernard-kouchner-gbabgo-france&navi=AFRIQUE France 24 | French foreign minister's visit is first since 2003 | France 24 ] ]

Reactions

French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier stated President Gbagbo was "personally responsible for what has happened," and declared that the violence was "unexplainable, unjustifiable." Ivorian National Assembly President Mamadou Koulibaly told state television: "Ivory Coast has become an overseas territory in Jacques Chirac’s head."

References

External links

* [http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A31795-2004Nov7?language=printer French Unleash Force Against Chaos in Ivory Coast] (Washington Post)
* [http://counterpunch.org/leupp11132004.html Bloody Intervention in Côte d'Ivoire]
* [http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_463.shtml Cote d'Ivoire since 2002]
* Sow, Adama: [http://www.aspr.ac.at/epu/research/Sow.pdf Ethnozentrismus als Katalysator bestehender Konflikte in Afrika südlich der Sahara, am Beispiel der Unruhen in Côte d`Ivoire] at: European University Center for Peace Studies (EPU), Stadtschleining 2005