Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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Peacekeepers Struggle to Stem Abidjan Violence
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=B62367:2AB91D3

Residents in some areas of capital say peacekeepers have been
ineffective in stopping militia activity





French soldier stands guardThe United Nations peacekeeping mission is
having difficulty helping maintain security in Ivory Coast's southern
commercial capital Abidjan, despite patrol from both government forces
and peacekeepers. In the volatile suburb of Adjame, the patrols were
unable to prevent clashes Thursday between police and local militias
which killed at least two people.

Patrols of U.N. peacekeepers and government security forces were set
up after rampant looting took place in Abidjan in November, but
residents in some areas of the city say they have been ineffective in
putting a stop to militia activity.

In the district of Adjame, people in the market showed VOA the body of
a 21-year-old man lying in a pile of trash. The man had been killed in
clashes between militias who support Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo
and local police.

U.N mission spokesman Amadou Toure says that often the patrols arrive
too late in an area to prevent disturbances, but that their presence
is still a deterrent against perpetration of crimes.

"Well, you see, this thing usually happens when the patrols are not
there of course," he said. "The bandits don't call you before
perpetrating their things. So, usually we come after the things have
been almost over. So the problem is we can't be everywhere at the same
time. That's the problem. But I am sure the presence of these mixed
patrols is a deterrent."



Crowds in the market place were angry that nothing had been done to
stop militias who have taken over a local primary school in Adjame
since last year to use as a training ground.



One man standing over the body of his friend shouted he was tired of
incidents like these happening in his neighborhood.

Along with about 6,000 U.N. peacekeepers there are also around 4,000
French troops in divided Ivory Coast, monitoring a cease-fire between
the army and rebel forces.

The U.N. mission is also trying to help prepare 2005 elections and
disarm both rebels in the north and militias in the south.