UN evacuates Ivory Coast staff
The United Nations mission in Ivory Coast has begun evacuating some 200 employees after frequent attacks on its headquarters by forces loyal to the country’s strongman.
A UN employee said they were told today that they were leaving. They were taken by helicopter from the UN base to the airport. Another helicopter will take them to the northern city of Bouake.
The evacuation order is for all “essential employees”. Non-essential employees were evacuated several months ago. The UN’s military personnel is still in Ivory Coast.
The French military force in Ivory Coast secured the airport early on Saturday.
