15 May 2017

Ivory Coast sends troops against protesting soldiers

12:23 pm on 15 May 2017

Ivory Coast's military says it has launched an operation to "restore order" after three consecutive days of protests by mutinous soldiers.

A mutinou soldier patrols in the streets of Ivory Coast's central second city Bouake, the country's second-largest city.

A mutinou soldier patrols in the streets of Ivory Coast's central second city Bouake, the country's second-largest city. Photo: AFP

The soldiers took to the streets in several cities over a pay dispute and blocked off the second-largest city, Bouaké, on Saturday.

They have said they are willing to fight if the army intervenes.

Popular opposition to the rebellion has been growing, culminating in a march against the soldiers in Bouaké.

Six people were wounded when soldiers opened fire on protesters during Saturday's demonstration.

'Troops advancing'

In a statement on Sunday announcing that a military operation was under way, armed forces' chief of staff General Sékou Touré said many of the mutinous soldiers had listened to earlier calls for them to stand down.

However, he said some soldiers were continuing to disobey orders which is why the operation had been launched.

"These acts of an extreme seriousness are contrary to the mission of protection assigned to the armed forces. As a result, a military operation is under way to re-establish order," the statement said.

Troops are advancing towards Bouaké, Reuters reported.

In January, the soldiers forced the government into paying them about $US8000 each in bonuses to end a rebellion.

They were due to receive a further payment this month and several thousands of mutineers had been unhappy they were not consulted when on Thursday a spokesman for the group said they would drop their demands for the remaining money.

The government said it would not negotiate with the disgruntled soldiers.

The mutiny raised fears of a resurgence of the violence seen during Ivory Coast's 10-year civil war, which ended in 2011.

Many of the mutineers in January are former rebels who joined the army after the conflict.

- BBC / Reuters