Latest update: 12/04/2011 

- Alassane Ouattara - Ivory Coast - Laurent Gbagbo


First footage of Gbagbo’s residence after standoff ends

No Flash warning
To take advantage of all the features on FRANCE24.COM, please click here to download the latest version of Flash Player.

These are the first images of the bunker where deposed Ivorian leader Laurent Gbagbo spent his last days directing his doomed resistance against forces loyal to his rival Alassane Ouattara.

By Elena CASAS (video)
FRANCE 24 (text)
 

Deposed Ivorian leader Laurent Gbagbo's residence lay in ruins after forces loyal to his rival Alassane Ouattara had made their arrest.

Buildings were either shattered by the force of explosions or were still burning after the intense 24-hour bombardment that heralded the final assault.

Among the debris of the compound, almost everything of value was taken away by looters, FRANCE 24's correspondents on the ground report.

One fighter told FRANCE 24: "Now we're free, we're going to go safely back to our families, to see our children and put our weapons down."

Out in the street French troops were guarding the building - as well as the surviving prisoners.

One of the French soldiers told FRANCE 24: "The company's mission is to secure the immediate vicinity of the presidential residence, firstly because the French ambassador's residence is next door, and then to make sure there's no return to fighting in this building, which is a symbolic place, and to stop the looting from spreading."

Date created : 12/04/2011 
Read more
React to the article
Comment this article typing your message in the above text zone. Please note that this is limited to 1500 characters or less.
(5) Reactions

We all know that Gbagbo was

by Zumadray (not verified) - 15/04/2011 - 11:29

We all know that Gbagbo was arrested by the French army. This is the real mission of the French soldiers based in the 43rd camp in port buet.This contrat got signed with the late Houphuet , one of the French key slave who sold our nation to the French autorities.
The history of our nation keeps in file that the 11th of APRIL 2011, french army arrested, humiliated, not only the Ivorian Republic but the dignity of our nation.I will not go in vain.
French and their generations will pay the prices by all costs.
The message goes to all those who claim to be free today while their birth rights stronly , wht make them to be Ivorians have been seized by the French neo colonialists.

reconcialiation

by ibrahim (not verified) - 14/04/2011 - 18:35

mr quattara should begin effort that can unite ivory coast in order to allow peace to reach accomodation.

justice should be render gbagbo

by ibrahim (not verified) - 14/04/2011 - 18:30

former president mr gbagbo, should be treated with his dignity and resfect.without vandetter or refrisal.

Gbagdo deserves to be treated with dignity

by patrick mafulu (not verified) - 12/04/2011 - 20:34

Lets treat Gbagbo with dignity as a human being but also as a former president. I supported Ouattara as he won the election but we must not give in to triumphalism but instead be prompted by a sense of responsibility and accountability in all our endeavor

power can kill

by kwame (not verified) - 12/04/2011 - 18:11

sad end of a power-drunk man. l pray for those that have lost their love ones because of gbagbo,

Close