A leading Ivorian rebel spokesman accused the government of Ghana of providing military support to the Ivory Coast government and of allowing its northwest border territory to be used by loyalist troops. These would become rear area bases for launching attacks on rebel positions across the frontier. The rebel Ivory Coast Patriotic Movement (MPCI) accusations were immediately rejected by both Ghanaian and Ivorian authorities.
President Laurent Gbagbo also has to worry about the situation unraveling inside the Ivory Coast still under his control. The resignation of Transport Minister Marcel Amon Tanoh on 25 November was a blow for Gbagbo's efforts to present a united front against the rebels. Tanoh, an opposition party member, resigned because of the inability of the government to end the abuses, rapes, disappearances and murders committed by the death squads. Security forces have denied any responsibility and suggested the rebels might be murdering people in order to discredit Gbagbo. Human rights groups are investigating at least 50 suspected death squad killings in the city of Abidjan, since the failed coup - cum - war started on 19 September. - Adam Geibel