ICoast accuses ex-rebel of plotting ‘insurrection’

IVORY Coast’s state prosecutor said Thursday that former rebel leader and presidential candidate Guillaume Soro is accused of plotting an anti-government uprising, charges his supporters have dismissed as a political frame-up.

Soro was due to head back to the country on Mon

day after a six-month absence but he diverted his flight when security forces stormed his party headquarters in Abidjan.

Prosecutors then issued an arrest warrant for Soro, whose planned return has raised tensions in the West African nation ahead of a presidential election next year.

Soro, an erstwhile ally of President Alassane Ouattara, is accused of preparing an imminent “civilian military insurrection” to seize power, prosecutor

Richard Adou said at a press conference.

The onetime prime minister -- who is planning to run in 2020 -- also faces allegations that he was launching an operation abroad to try to discredit the current regime in Ivory Coast, Adou said.

The prosecutor said the claims were based in particular on an audio recording which was aired at the press conference and in which two men, one of them purportedly Soro, are heard speaking.