A ceasefire between rebels and government forces in Ivory Coast has come into effect, aiming to halt eight months of civil war. All sides in the conflict vowed to respect the truce in a war that has seen thousands killed and more than a million people displaced from their homes. But as the deadline for the end of hostilities passed at midnight local time (0000 GMT), there was confusion over whether fighting was still under way in some areas of the West African country. Rebels said forces loyal to President Laurent Gbagbo had attacked their positions in Danane region, near the border with Liberia. The president’s spokesman Toussaint Alain said, however, he was unaware of any fighting, adding: “We hope the ceasefire will be respected by everyone.” The war in the former French colony – the world’s leading cocoa producer – began last September with a failed attempt to oust president Gbagbo. Rebel groups seized the northern half of the country, and occupied much of the west. Full Story
About OODA Analyst
OODA is comprised of a unique team of international experts capable of providing advanced intelligence and analysis, strategy and planning support, risk and threat management, training, decision support, crisis response, and security services to global corporations and governments.