Foreign Office tells Britons to leave Ivory Coast
British citizens are being urged by the Foreign Office to leave the Ivory Coast as the security situation in the country deteriorates.
The warning comes amid news that the British embassy in the west African nation has ceased operations.
“This decision is mainly due to the uncertain security situation and our inability to protect staff or British nationals should there be another outbreak of violence,” said Chris Mullin, FCO minister for Africa.
The Government has warned that it will be unable to evacuate Britons who do not leave immediately and get trapped in any civil unrest in the war-torn country.
“We suggest that our citizens here think very carefully about whether they want to stay in Ivory Coast,” David Coates, the British ambassador to the capital Abidjan, told Reuters.
Mr Mullin said the decision to evacuate the estimated 150 Britons in the country “reflects the lack of progress in the peace process”.
“Until all parties genuinely commit to finding a political solution, there is little point in us remaining. The risk is just too high,” he said.
A UN peacekeeping force of 6,000 is deployed throughout the country and is supported by 4,000 French troops.
