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ICoast compensates quarter of victims of post-vote unrest

By AFP
Africa Between 2002 and 2011, Ivory Coast went through a long period of political-military crisis, which culminated in the post-election violence of 2010-2011, born out of Gbagbo's refusal to accept his defeat at the hands of Ouattara.  By Sia Kambou AFPFile
SEP 30, 2015 LISTEN
Between 2002 and 2011, Ivory Coast went through a long period of political-military crisis, which culminated in the post-election violence of 2010-2011, born out of Gbagbo's refusal to accept his defeat at the hands of Ouattara. By Sia Kambou (AFP/File)

Abidjan (AFP) - More than a thousand people who were affected by a wave of post-election violence in Ivory Coast in 2010-11 have received financial compensation from the government, officials said Wednesday.

According to Mariatou Kone, head of the Social Cohesion National Programme (PNCS), some 1,175 out of a total of 4,500 people have been compensated over the past two months.

The programme was launched on August 4 by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara who symbolically handed 50 people each a cheque for 1,500 euros ($1,700), the money coming from a global compensation fund worth 15 million euros.

More than 3,000 people lost their lives and tens of thousands more were forced to flee during months of violence sparked by former president Laurent Gbagbo's refusal to hand over power, claiming electoral fraud in the 2010 presidential vote.

"The operation has become a public craze. Everyone wants to be compensated," said Kone.

"Things are very hectic."

The figures were published just weeks before an October 25 presidential election which is seen as crucial for the stabilisation of the country following the unrest.

Observers and NGOs have said compensation would be a big step on the road towards reconciliation and "essential" for a peaceful election.

"Compensation is not only financial, it is moral, physical and communal," said Kone.

"For those who suffered, receiving compassion from the state when they least expect it is really a relief."

Between 2002 and 2011, Ivory Coast went through a long period of political-military crisis, which culminated in the post-election violence of 2010-2011, born out of Gbagbo's refusal to accept his defeat at the hands of Ouattara.

Ouattara is the favourite to win next month's vote.

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