Ivory Coast: Protesting soldiers “seize three cities over unpaid salaries”
A mutiny is in progress in the Ivorian cities of Bouake, Daloa and Korogho.
Demobilised soldiers, Friday, seized strategic points in the cities over unpaid salaries, reports say.
“These are former soldiers that were part of an ECOWAS force trying to maintain peace in Liberia,” Al Jazeera‘s Nicolas Haque, reporting from Dakar in Senegal, said.
“Then they returned back to Ivory Coast where there was also a civil war and played a role to maintain peace and order in the country.
“Now they are saying they weren’t paid for their services.”
Defence minister Alain-Richard Donwahi confirmed the soldiers were demanding salary increases and the payment of bonuses.
It’s unclear if the ex-soldiers have other motives. Reports say serving soldiers have broken ranks to join in the mutiny.
“The city (of Bouake) is under the control of former [soldiers],” an army officer told Reuters.
“There are many of them at the north and south entrances to the city. We are on alert and await instructions from the hierarchy.”
Ivory Coast is Africa’s fastest growing economy.
