20110304
Xinhua
ABIDJAN, March 3 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed in clashes in Cote d'Ivoire's economic capital Abidjan on Thursday, local sources reported.

A resident of the troubled Abobo district told Xinhua on telephone that security forces shot and killed some of the hundreds of women demonstrating against the "grabbing" of power by incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo.

"A Republican Guard tanker shot at a crowd of youths who had tried to erect barricades in Abobo district and killed five of them," a senior police officer told Xinhua.

He denied reports that some of the women were killed and insisted that a group of about 200 women who had tried to demonstrate in support of Gbagbo's presidential rival Alassane Ouattara were only dispersed by the security forces.

Demonstrations in support of Ouattara broke out across the country on Thursday after being called by an NGO, the network for democracy and development in Africa (Redda), which is headed by a Ouattara supporter, Kone Mamery.

Supporters of Ouattara told reporters security forces loyal to Gbagbo opened fire at what they called "women march" at Anador in the neighborhood of Abobo, which is known as Ouattara's stronghold.

Machine gun fire was heard in the random shooting, in which six to 10 people were killed and dozens of others wounded, according to pro-Ouattara witnesses.

Clashes have erupted frequently since the Nov. 28 presidential run-off, especially Abidjan's Abobo district, where many residents have fled elsewhere.

More than 300 people have died ever since with both men claiming the presidency. The international community recognizes Ouattara as the president-elect, while Gbagbo has repeatedly rejected calls to cede power to his rival.

The crisis has deteriorated with many fearing a comeback of civil war, which divided the West African country following an attempted coup against Gbagbo in 2002. The ex-rebel New Forces (FN) has since taken control of the north while the south including Abidjan remains in the hands of Gbagbo.

With the crisis dragging on, the FN, which backs Ouattara, has taken military steps toward the south. Fighting reportedly erupted in the past week over control of a town between the rival sides.