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Mutinous Ivory Coast troops holding defence minister despite deal: AFP

By AFP
Ivory Coast A delegation of mutinous soldiers stand behind Ivory Coast's defence minister Alain-Richard Donwahi C-front speaking to journalists after negotiations, on January 7, 2017 in Bouake.  By SIA KAMBOU AFP
JAN 7, 2017 LISTEN
A delegation of mutinous soldiers stand behind Ivory Coast's defence minister Alain-Richard Donwahi (C-front) speaking to journalists after negotiations, on January 7, 2017 in Bouake. By SIA KAMBOU (AFP)

Bouaké (Ivory Coast) (AFP) - Mutinous soldiers were holding Ivory Coast's Defence Minister Alain Richard Donwahi on Saturday, rejecting the terms of a deal announced by President Alassane Ouattara to end their angry pay protest.

"Just after the declaration by President Alassane Ouattara, the soldiers went back in angrily," reported an AFP journalist at the talks between the two sides in Ivory Coast's second city Bouake, which was seized by troops on Friday.

"They have stopped the defence minister and his delegation from leaving the deputy prefect's residence by shooting Kalashnikov rifles and heavy weapons," the correspondent said.

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