A flash of light and we were caught in the crossfire

MY BOYFRIEND, Bruno, a French television reporter, had left home at 3am to make a film upcountry about an order of French nuns who made perfect camembert cheese.
An hour later the pre-dawn silence of Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s biggest city, was broken by mortars and machinegun fire near my house. Thus began a day of African-style chaos, terror and bloodshed.

By the time that it ended last night the country’s former military ruler and its present Interior Minister, Emile Boga Doudou, were among more than 100 dead, bodies lay in the deserted streets, and the city’s residents were cowering behind locked doors.

At least 80 government troops were killed and 150 wounded, a military source said. Government officials identified at least 25 bodies as mutineers.

State television claimed that the apparent coup attempt had been quashed, but rebel troops were said to be marching on Abidjan from the north.

Fighting was reported in several other cities. From Rome, where he was on a state visit and due to have an audience with the Pope today, President Gbagbo discussed with the Government of France, his country’s former colonial master, the possible use of French troops.