Ivory Coast rebel troops end mutiny after deal

REBEL soldiers in Ivory Coast said yesterday that they were ending a four-day mutiny which drew in troops from across the country after reaching agreement with the government over a wages dispute.

News of the deal was confirmed by a spokesman for the disgruntled troops, who said their financial demands had been met, ending a dispute which began in January.

Gunfire erupted on Monday at the country’s largest military barracks in eastern Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s economic capital, as well as in Gallieni camp in the city centre where banks, offices and department stores were closed.

Troops also seized control of Bouake, the country’s second city, where sustained gunfire rang out. And border posts were closed, halting traffic to neighbouring Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

The mutiny was the latest in a series of armed protests which began in January, with troops angered by a wage dispute with President Alassane Ouattara’s government.

That uprising ended when the government agreed to pay the soldiers bonuses of 12 million CFA francs ($20,200) each. At the time, they were given a partial payment of 5 million francs with the remainder due to be paid this month. But the last payment never materialised, prompting the latest round of unrest.

According to sources among the rebel soldiers, the government has now agreed to give them an immediate payment of 5 million CFA francs with the remaining 2 million to be paid next month.