Deal agreed to end military mutiny in Ivory Coast

Kieron Monks and Eric Agnero, CNN

Updated 1745 GMT (0145 HKT) January 2, 2018

A mutinous soldier poses with a weapon in the streets of Ivory Coast's central second city Bouake during a four day uprising over unpaid bonus payments. <br /><br />Gunfire has been reported in several major cities after soldiers took to the streets.
Photos: Dispute over bonus payments leads to violent mutiny
Rebel takeover – A mutinous soldier poses with a weapon in the streets of Ivory Coast's central second city Bouake during a four day uprising over unpaid bonus payments.

Gunfire has been reported in several major cities after soldiers took to the streets.
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A rebel presents weapons recovered from an inhabitant in Bouake.<br /><br />The mutineers are from the faction of the army that fought against the former regime led by Laurent Gbagbo in the bloody conflict that followed the 2010 election, which ended with President Alassane Ouattara taking power. <br /><br />They claim Outtara's regime promised them bonuses for their part in his victory.
Photos: Dispute over bonus payments leads to violent mutiny
Show of force – A rebel presents weapons recovered from an inhabitant in Bouake.

The mutineers are from the faction of the army that fought against the former regime led by Laurent Gbagbo in the bloody conflict that followed the 2010 election, which ended with President Alassane Ouattara taking power.

They claim Outtara's regime promised them bonuses for their part in his victory.
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A woman walks past Ivorian soldiers patrolling by Ivory Coast's army headquarters, the Gallieni military camp, in Abidjan.<br />Banks, school and international institutions have closed during the uprising, leaving usually busy streets deserted.
Photos: Dispute over bonus payments leads to violent mutiny
Ghost town – A woman walks past Ivorian soldiers patrolling by Ivory Coast's army headquarters, the Gallieni military camp, in Abidjan.
Banks, school and international institutions have closed during the uprising, leaving usually busy streets deserted.
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Mutinous soldiers pose with their weapons in Bouake.
Photos: Dispute over bonus payments leads to violent mutiny
In control – Mutinous soldiers pose with their weapons in Bouake.
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A rebel soldier directs traffic in Bouake. The mutineers took control of the main routes into the city.
Photos: Dispute over bonus payments leads to violent mutiny
Run the road – A rebel soldier directs traffic in Bouake. The mutineers took control of the main routes into the city.
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A mutinous soldier holds a RPG rocket launcher inside a military camp in Bouake. <br /><br />This is the rebels' second major uprising in the Ivory Coast this year. The previous dispute ended with a compromise payment. Rebels say they will continue this uprising until they are paid seven million CFA ($11,720).
Photos: Dispute over bonus payments leads to violent mutiny
No compromise – A mutinous soldier holds a RPG rocket launcher inside a military camp in Bouake.

This is the rebels' second major uprising in the Ivory Coast this year. The previous dispute ended with a compromise payment. Rebels say they will continue this uprising until they are paid seven million CFA ($11,720).
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The Ivory Coast has enjoyed a period of prosperity and stability following a 10-year civil war that ended in 2011. But the current violence threatens a return to the bad old days.
Photos: Dispute over bonus payments leads to violent mutiny
War or peace – The Ivory Coast has enjoyed a period of prosperity and stability following a 10-year civil war that ended in 2011. But the current violence threatens a return to the bad old days.
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Story highlights

  • Deal agreed between government and rebel soldiers
  • Soldiers had seized areas of major cities, causing severe disruption
  • Soldiers demand bonus payments linked to civil war support for President Ouattara

(CNN)The fourth day of a violent mutiny that has paralyzed Ivory Coast's largest cities ended in confusion with the announcement of a deal between the government and rebel soldiers, that was subsequently denied by rebel sources.

Defense Minister Alain-Richard Donwahi claimed a deal had been struck that would bring an immediate end to a crisis that had caused "substantial material damage, injuries and loss of human lives."
    "An agreement was reached on how to exit the crisis," said Donwahi. "Consequently, we call on all the assembled soldiers to please free up the corridors, return to the barracks and ensure the tranquillity of the population."
      However, rebel spokesman Sergeant Seydou Kone told Reuters that no deal had been reached, and vowed that the mutiny would continue until the soldiers' demands for bonus payments are met.
      A mutinous soldier holds a RPG rocket launcher inside a military camp in the Ivory Coast's central second city Bouake.
      A mutinous soldier holds a RPG rocket launcher inside a military camp in the Ivory Coast's central second city Bouake.

      Shooting reported

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      The uprising began on Friday in the city of Bouake, where soldiers took control of central areas and set up roadblocks.
      The rebellion quickly spread to several other cities including the economic capital Abidjan, where gunfire was heard in several locations.
      Saturday saw clashes between protesters and rebel soldiers that resulted in multiple shootings and the death of one protester, according to Reuters.
      Schools, banks and international institutions in Abidjan moved swiftly to close their premises as the crisis escalated, leaving usually busy streets deserted.
      Mutinous soldiers block the street in front of the general staff in Abidjan, on May 15, 2017.
      Mutinous soldiers block the street in front of the general staff in Abidjan, on May 15, 2017.

      Rebel demands