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Attacks increase in Ivory Coast Attacks increase in Ivory Coast
(10 minutes later)
There has been a sharp increase in attacks on civilians since a five year old buffer zone dividing Ivory Coast was taken down, an aid group says.There has been a sharp increase in attacks on civilians since a five year old buffer zone dividing Ivory Coast was taken down, an aid group says.
UN and French soldiers who patrolled the zone began withdrawing last week after a peace deal between the president and former rebel leader.UN and French soldiers who patrolled the zone began withdrawing last week after a peace deal between the president and former rebel leader.
Rebel leader Guillaume Soro is now prime minister under the agreement.Rebel leader Guillaume Soro is now prime minister under the agreement.
Medecins San Frontieres (MSF) says there are now almost daily attacks around the western town of Bangolo.Medecins San Frontieres (MSF) says there are now almost daily attacks around the western town of Bangolo.
The region has been the site of several human rights abuses in recent years.The region has been the site of several human rights abuses in recent years.
Danger zoneDanger zone
Bangolo is part of what has been termed the triangle of death.Bangolo is part of what has been termed the triangle of death.
href="/1/hi/world/africa/6569457.stm">IPresident wins the peace href="/1/hi/world/africa/6569457.stm">President wins the peace
It is not far from the border with Liberia and used to be in the confidence zone.It is not far from the border with Liberia and used to be in the confidence zone.
Before the buffer zone was removed, UN and French peacekeepers were unable to stop human rights abuses there.Before the buffer zone was removed, UN and French peacekeepers were unable to stop human rights abuses there.
Now the area they once patrolled is under the control of the loyalist armed forces and the New Forces rebels.Now the area they once patrolled is under the control of the loyalist armed forces and the New Forces rebels.
When the confidence zone was removed, joint brigades of loyalists, rebels and foreign peacekeepers were created.When the confidence zone was removed, joint brigades of loyalists, rebels and foreign peacekeepers were created.
But their exact responsibilities remain unclear.But their exact responsibilities remain unclear.
The UN and French peacekeepers have withdrawn to a number of observation posts and no longer patrol the wide band of territory that was the confidence zone.The UN and French peacekeepers have withdrawn to a number of observation posts and no longer patrol the wide band of territory that was the confidence zone.
According to MSF, armed bandits are multiplying their attacks around Bangolo, and the group says they are imposing a law of fear.According to MSF, armed bandits are multiplying their attacks around Bangolo, and the group says they are imposing a law of fear.
The road between the town of Duekoue, in the government-controlled south, and Man, which is in the hands of the New Forces, is considered to be particularly dangerous.The road between the town of Duekoue, in the government-controlled south, and Man, which is in the hands of the New Forces, is considered to be particularly dangerous.
In recent years there have been clashes over land or ethnic rivalry, while others are simply banditry.In recent years there have been clashes over land or ethnic rivalry, while others are simply banditry.
But the removal of the confidence zone means many people are worried that the problem may worsen considerably.But the removal of the confidence zone means many people are worried that the problem may worsen considerably.
If the loyalist and rebel troops cannot provide security for citizens on their territory, the value of some of the recent steps taken in the peace process will be called into question.If the loyalist and rebel troops cannot provide security for citizens on their territory, the value of some of the recent steps taken in the peace process will be called into question.
But the west of Ivory Coast is such a troubled region that it will almost certainly remain dangerous long after the civil war is over.But the west of Ivory Coast is such a troubled region that it will almost certainly remain dangerous long after the civil war is over.