RDR spokesman calls for end to unrest

The spokesman of the opposition Rassemblement des Republicains (RDR), Ali Coulibaly, called on Tuesday for an end to protests in Abidjan in which a number of lives were lost.

In a message on state radio, Coulibaly said the situation was “very preoccupying” and “unfortunate”. He added: “If this situation persists, it may seriously jeopardize social peace in our country. For this reason, in order to put an end to this dangerous escalation of violence, we are immediately making an appeal for calm.”

“We are calling for an immediate end to all demonstrations capable of making the situation get out of control,” he said. “We take this opportunity to express our sincere condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives during these disturbances, whether they are the families of the security forces or those of the demonstrators.”