Audio By Carbonatix
The head of Ivory Coast's highest court has rejected personal responsibility for the crisis which engulfed the country after last November's election.
Paul Yao N'dre overturned the results of the election, handing victory to Laurent Gbagbo and sparking a dispute which culminated in heavy fighting.
Mr Yao N'dre - speaking after a meeting with new President Alassane Ouattara - said all Ivorians were to blame.
Earlier, forces loyal to Mr Ouattara exchanged gunfire in Abidjan.
The incident took place between the Invisible Commandos group - which controls areas of Ivory Coast's main city - and troops brought from the north of the country.
It was the most public sign yet of splits in the coalition of forces that brought Mr Ouattara to power last week.
Following last November's election, Mr Yao N'dre as head of the Constitutional Court said President Gbagbo had won 51.45% of the vote, invalidating UN-backed results that gave Mr Ouattara 54.1%.
The court backed My Gbagbo's claims that pro-Ouattara forces had rigged the vote in northern areas they controlled and annulled ballots cast in those polling stations.
The dispute plunged the West African country into months of bloody unrest.
'All responsible'
But after meeting Mr Ouattara on Thursday, a visibly tense Mr Yao N'dre rejected any personal responsibility for the crisis.
"We are all responsible for what happened; the current president, the former President Gbagbo, citizens, the media that inflamed it, everybody," he said.
"There is no individual responsibility. It is not about individuals, it is the institutions. We need to rebuild Ivory Coast, everyone, in a spirit of solidarity, love and fraternity."
Mr Ouattara had been receiving pledges of allegiances from senior military officers and the heads of main institutions at Abidjan's Golf Hotel where he has been based since the post-election crisis began.
Stability is slowly returning to the city, says the BBC's John James, although pockets of pro-Gbagbo militia continue to hold out in the western district of Yopougon.
Mr Gbagbo was captured last week by pro-Ouattara forces who laid siege to his presidential residence.
Source: BBC
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
“Ghana has moved from ICU to wellness center” — Finance Minister declares economic recovery
16 minutes -
Ato Forson highlights “turning point” in economic recovery strategy
19 minutes -
NACSA Seminar: Gender Minister demands an increased role for women to end gun violence
24 minutes -
Full text: Statement on Ghana’s new engagement with IMF
31 minutes -
US trade mission to visit Ghana
1 hour -
Tempane: Three suspects arrested over deadly Worinyanga attacksÂ
1 hour -
EU fines Temu €200m for allowing sale of illegal products
1 hour -
Portugal breaks hottest May day record as Europe swelters in heatwave
1 hour -
KetaFC celebrates “vindication” after Volta RFA Middle League controversy
1 hour -
Professor Joseph Ofori-Dankwa receives 2026 Lifetime Leadership Impact Award
1 hour -
United Pension Trustees advocates menstrual hygiene awareness and support for girls in Juaben
1 hour -
The age when the body starts ageing faster
1 hour -
Controversial Volta RFA verdict triggers calls for GFA intervention
1 hour -
AIMS Ghana, University of Waterloo lead push for stronger mathematics education at HTTMC 2026
1 hour -
NADMO dismisses claims residents were not warned before Weija Dam spillage
3 hours