Cote d'Ivoire: Warning Over Rampaging Youth Gangs in Abidjan

Abidjan — Children and teenagers who were drawn into Côte d'Ivoire's 2010-2011 post-election conflict are joining armed gangs in the commercial capital Abidjan after being abandoned by politicians and others who exploited them at the time, according to local officials who blame the government for not taking action.

Aged 10-20, the youngsters roam Abidjan districts, robbing residents and stall-owners using firearms and other weapons, and in some cases killing those who try to resist. The gang refer to themselves as "microbes" - slang for "cold-blood murder".

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