Update: Mutinying soldiers holding defence minister in Ivory Coast, rejecting deal

Update: Mutinying soldiers holding defence minister in Ivory Coast, rejecting deal

A deal has been reached between the Ivory Coast government and soldiers to end the two-day revolt in the West African country.

President Alassane Ouattara confirmed an agreement was made to taking into consideration the officers’ grievances over bonus payments as well as living and working conditions.

As news of the agreement broke there were reports that mutinying soldiers opened fire on a local official’s house in Bouake, where the defence minister, who had helped broker the deal, was apparently located. AFP news agency reported that the Defence Minister was being held by soldiers who rejected the terms of the deal.

Another source from the uprising had earlier told Reuters news agency that soldiers were preparing to leave the streets and return to their barracks.

The unrest began early on Friday when soldiers, demanding wage increases and bonuses, seized the city of Bouake. They were quickly joined by soldiers in other towns and cities, including the commercial capital of Abidjan.

 

-- © Copyright Euronews 2017-01-08