ABIDJAN (AFP) - Ivory Coast's internationally recognised president Alassane Ouattara returned to Abidjan Sunday to the aftermath of a crackdown by his rival on his stronghold in which some 10 people were killed. Violence in parts of the capital escalated in his absence in what Ouattara's camp says is a show of force by strongman Laurent Gbagbo who has "his back to the wall" after the African Union endorsed Ouattara's presidency. "He has returned to the Abidjan Golf Hotel," said a member of Ouattara's entourage, referring to the hotel where the leader had been holed up under UN protection since being declared the winner of the November 28 presidential runoff election. A statement issued by the "Ouattara presidency" confirmed his return after a brief visit to the Ethiopian capital Addis-Ababa to attend an AU mediation summit followed by a 48-hour trip to Nigeria for talks with President Goodluck Jonathan.