According to that source, Nkoana-Mashabane called on all Ivorians to put the interests of civilians first, and recalled that the African Union had asked for a cessation of hostilities.
As the foreign minister was speaking, military forces supporting Outtara were trying to take major positions in Abidjan such as the Presidential Palace, Gbagbo government headquarters.
This crisis began after Gbagbo and Outtara each proclaimed himself president after Cote d’Ivoire held its presidential election run-off in November 2010.
