Minister of Foreign Affairs Uri Rosenthal is deeply concerned about the approximately 50 Dutch nationals in Ivory Coast. They have been repeatedly advised to leave the West African country, but the minister says they want to stay.

“We cannot force them to leave,” Rosenthal said during a debate in parliament. Ivory Coast is in the midst of a deteriorating power struggle for the presidency, according to the minister. Armed supporters of rival Ivorian leaders Alassane Ouattara and Laurent Gbagbo have been fighting for weeks. 

The violence recently escalated with estimates of more than 350 deaths. More than 450,000 Ivorian people have been displaced and 72,000 have fled to neighbouring Liberia.

The Foreign Ministry has insisted that Dutch nationals leave, said a spokesperson. Their decision to stay varies individually, ranging from business interests to close ties with the country.

At the moment, it is still possible to leave Ivory Coast, the spokesperson said. Earlier in the week, the ministry warned that a time may come when national borders and airports close.

(lo/rk/nc)

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