2008 Ivorian New Forces unrest: Difference between revisions

Content deleted Content added
Everyking (talk | contribs)
No edit summary
Everyking (talk | contribs)
No edit summary
Line 5:
New Forces fighters loyal to [[Zacharia Koné]], a New Forces commander who was dismissed from his command in May 2008 for indiscipline, reportedly mutinied in [[Vavoua]] and [[Seguela]] on [[June 28]]. The unrest was said to have begun in Vavoua and then spread to Seguela. Three civilians were reportedly killed, along with one of the fighters involved in the unrest; another of the fighters was reportedly wounded. The unrest quickly ended on the same day; according to official sources, the soldiers surrendered on the condition that they would be protected by French peacekeeping forces.<ref name=Short>[http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gncUB-e7QbwEZaZlJ0flU_Xo350A "Former ICoast rebels in short-lived mutiny"], AFP, June 28, 2008.</ref>
 
New Forces officials differed on whether this unrest was caused by an issue with the disarmament payments or whether it was a result of Koné's dismissal;<ref name=Short/> the soldiers involved in the unrest said that they wanted payment of the disarmament money, although Koné's dismissal also appeared to be a factor.<ref name=Break>[http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hlYdepLexZpqaGdSXCfSgSZFwLqg "Ivory Coast: talks with rebel soldiers break up"], AFP, July 2, 2008.</ref> An aide to Soro, [[Alain Lobognon]], said that Soro had forbidden the use of force in dealing with the unrest. Lobognon also disputed the widespread characterization of the unrest as a mutiny.<ref>[http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5h_1331zlj7TYhnkfaGenn2V-sBEA "Ivory Coast PM rules out force against rebel soldiers"], AFP, July 29, 2008.</ref> New Forces spokesman [[Sidiki Konate]] said that the problems that caused the unrest would be addressed and that the soldiers would be pardoned. An aide to Soro, [[Alain Lobognon]], subsequently said on [[June 30]] that the government did not have enough money to complete the disarmament and implementation of the peace agreement, complaining that the international community was not sending aid. According to Lobognon, "the peace process is in danger because the prime minister does not have the means to implement his policies", and he described the situation as a "crisis".<ref>[http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gXneFfEo66zKwIKqGQpXGu4YLKlA "ICoast peace process in jeopardy: senior official"], AFP, June 30, 2008.</ref>
 
About 300 people in Seguela protested on [[July 2]], calling for resolution of the situation and for the mutineers to be quickly disarmed. The New Forces Chief of Staff, General [[Soumaila Bakayoko]], met with the restive fighters, who numbered about 320, at a camp near Seguela later on [[July 2]]. Although a spokesman for the soldiers acknowledged the authority of Soro and Bakayoko, some of them shouted demands for Koné to be restored to his command, expressing dissatisfaction with his replacement, [[Issiaka Ouattara]]. Bakayoko left the meeting as a result.<ref name=Break/>