Ivory Coast: President's allies charged over post-election violence, activist says

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast – A human rights activist says Ivory Coast has indicted about 20 members of the army that helped bring President Alassane Ouattara to power during a post-election conflict in 2011, the first time justice officials have moved against the president's military allies.

Florent Geel, Africa director for the International Federation for Human Rights, said among those indicted are Cherif Ousmane and Fofana Losseni, commanders accused of involvement in some of the worst episodes of violence during five months of fighting that killed at least 3,000 people.

Ouattara's government has long been accused of engaging in "victor's justice" because only allies of former President Laurent Gbagbo had previously been charged. Gbagbo's refusal to cede office after losing the 2010 election sparked the conflict.

Ivorian officials declined to confirm the charges this week.