20110331
Xinhua
ABIDJAN, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Forces backing Cote d'Ivoire's presidency claimant Alassane Ouattara announced new gains on Wednesday, saying they have taken the towns of Bouafle and Sinfra.

The announcement marked the acceleration of the military advance by the Republican Forces, which have taken over several towns in the past week including Daloa and Bondoukou they claimed in their possession on Tuesday.

The rival forces loyal to the country's incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo are under increasing military pressure after losing the western town of Duekoue on Monday.

Duekoue is the gateway to almost all of the southern regions under Gbagbo's control, especially to the political capital Yamoussoukro and to the town of San Pedro, which has the main port for exporting the country's cocoa.

Some analysts even expect Gbagbo's departure from power if either of the towns falls in future offensives by the Republican Forces.

Duekoue is the sixth locality to be conquered by pro-Ouattara forces since February after Zouan-Hounien, Bin-Houye, Toulepleu, Doke and Blolequin.

An all-out war is unfolding in Cote d'Ivoire with the southward march of the Republican Forces, which comprise the ex-rebel New Forces (FN) and soldiers defecting from Gbagbo's regular army.

Gbagbo vows to hold on power in defiance of the international recognition of Ouattara as the president-elect after the Nov. 28 run-off.

The standoff has sparked fears of a repetition of the 2002-2003 civil war, which divided Cote d'Ivoire into the FN-controlled north and Gbagbo's south.