ABIDJAN, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The chief of staff of Cote d'Ivoire's Defense and Security Forces (FDS), general Philippe Mangou, on Tuesday swore allegiance to President Alassane Ouattara at his headquarters in the Golf Hotel.
General Mangou, who had been previously loyal to Ouattara's presidential rival Laurent Gbagbo, used the visit to show the willingness of his soldiers to work under the new authorities.
Before his switch of allegiance, Ouattara had held meetings with other generals of the FDS, especially Tiape Kassarate of gendarmerie, Bredou Mbia of police and Dogbo Ble Brunot of ground forces, who had come to affirm that their forces were available to serve the country.
Incumbent Gbagbo was arrested on Monday by forces backing Ouattara with the help of the French troops deployed in the West African country. The 65-year-old strongman has since appealed for an end to the fighting.
Gbagbo was detained in the culmination of months-long political crisis following the Nov. 28 presidential run-off. Both Gbagbo and Ouattara claimed the victory after the polls, while the international community recognizes Ouattara as the winner.
