Leading cocoa exporters in Ivory Coast's main city Abidjan were closed on Monday as mob violence erupted after France destroyed most of the country's air force in retaliation for the killing of nine French peacekeepers. "Nobody has come in today," said a security guard at the offices of one leading exporter. "There's nobody here. The building is empty and shut," said a guard at another top exporter in the port city.
France deployed troops on the streets of Abidjan on Sunday, took control of the airport and flew in hundreds of extra soldiers to contain the backlash of looting and rioting.
French helicopters evacuated French nationals and other foreigners from the rooftops of houses and hotels as youths wielding machetes and sticks attacked foreigners and foreign-owned businesses.