AFP - Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo outgoing announced Thursday his intention to "take control" of Ivorian subsidiaries of French banks BNP Paribas and Societe Generale, while the country's banking system hangs due to post-election crisis.
After the closure of several banks since Monday, Mr. Gbagbo "has issued decrees that the State of Côte d'Ivoire take control by taking a full and complete participation in the capital of some of these banks," said a official statement read on state television RTI.
"These include the SGBCI and Biçici" respectively subsidiaries of Societe Generale and BNP Paribas, he said.
Mr.Gbagbo intended "to preserve jobs and ensure the access of Ivorians and traders to their assets" in "as soon as possible."
At least five international banks, including French and American, had suspended operations Thursday, and whose leaders Biçici SGBCI.
This is the result of the dramatic showdown between Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara, President-elect acknowledged by much of the international community. With its external allies, attempts to asphyxiate Ouattara Gbagbo regime to force it out from.
The origin of these closures in series: the break in January between Abidjan and the Central Bank of African States (BCEAO), which recognizes Mr.Ouattara.
Since then the Gbagbo government, isolated and financially deprived tap CFA, has worked to build a viable banking system across Ivory Coast.Including, according to several banking sources, applying "enormous pressure" on the subsidiaries of large foreign banks.
But with the lack of liquidity, technical difficulties and legal risks, and the threat of sanctions wielded by the BCEAO against banks working with the Gbagbo government, the BICICI SGBCI and gave the signal for withdrawal.
"Other banks will close," predicted one senior industry told AFP.
For the economy, already undermined by the sanctions of the EU imposing such a ban on the two ports, the country's lung, the effect of blocking bank will be "cataclysmic," said a source familiar with the matter.
Contracts canceled social plans draconian layoffs: "all sectors, including transport and industry", are being beaten, says a player in the agro-industry.
If the strategy practiced by choking the camp Ouattara produced its first effects, which the very large crisis that threatens she will benefit?
The wall, the Gbagbo government first wants to ensure payment of officials and soldiers, whose loyalty is vital to him, and overwhelms the former French colonial power through its banks.
France has defended the temporary bank closures, seeing "the consequence of the refusal of Laurent Gbagbo" to leave.
Guillaume Soro, Prime Minister Mr.Ouattara, also ruled out the responsibility of this "chaos" and advocated "revolution" to make him give as Egypt and Tunisia.
However, for bank customers is the time to worry.
The district of Plateau, Abidjan, housing the headquarters of banks, has seen during the week pouring account holders.
Thursday, before the League Ivorian bank (SIB group Moroccan Attijariwafa Bank) of Abidjan had waited in a line in the early hours of the morning to withdraw money.
"The fear is the contagion effect, so we just remove a little about our savings," explained Ms. Koffi, an entrepreneur. "I'd rather have my money on me, it is unclear what will happen," let out a military.
