Disgruntled former rebels now serving in Ivory Coast's army have agreed to end a protest over back pay and overdue benefits, they said on Thursday, following two days of talks with government ministers and a meeting with the president.
The world's top cocoa-producing country is still emerging from a decade of political upheaval and a 2011 civil war that saw French- and U.N.-backed rebels topple President Laurent Gbagbo after his refusal to accept an election defeat.
"You have been heard. We have solved these problems, and you know they've been solved because I am telling you they are solved," President Alassane Ouattara told the soldiers at the end of negotiations on Thursday.
"From now on, you must behave like mature, model soldiers."
The turmoil wrought by the protests, which spread across the country on Tuesday, highlighted the obstacles still facing Ivory Coast as the darling of frontier market investors attempts to forge a new national army from former rival factions.
The protesting troops were part of the New Forces rebellion that fought to bring Ouattara, who defeated Gbagbo's in a 2010 runoff poll, to power three years ago.
They erected barricades in the commercial capital Abidjan as well as in towns including Korhogo, Odienne, and Daloa and looted the central police station in the country's second city Bouake on Tuesday.
"We apologize," said Navy Quartermaster Siaka Ouattara, a spokesman for a delegation that was invited to discuss its grievances with the government.
He said the delegation had accepted the concessions made by the government to pay wages and benefits that 8,400 corporals were meant to receive under the terms of a 2007 peace deal but were never given.
Those back wages will be paid over the next six months, and the government also agreed to grant promotions the soldiers said were overdue, Interior Minister Hamed Bakayoko told journalists following the meetings.
He did not say how much clearing the salary arrears would cost, but a government spokesman had earlier put the figure at around 20 billion CFA francs ($38 million).
However the negotiations did not involve another group of protesting soldiers who claimed they had been promised 5 million CFA francs to join the rebellion and drive Gbagbo from power.
Latest Stories
-
Make no mistake; Ghanaians are not gentle – Archbishop Duncan-Williams warns politicians
5 mins -
I’ve nothing to show for my work as music producer – Quick Action
10 mins -
Mental health screening as crucial as medical check-ups – Clinical psychologist
17 mins -
Dr Appau calls for urgent mental health awareness and integration in Ghana
17 mins -
‘Ghost names’ in Northern Region paid GH₵2.8m in salaries – OSP, CADG Report
34 mins -
Ghanaian government defends a proposed tax on big tech revenues
34 mins -
NCCE launches committee in Nandom for peaceful election 2024
41 mins -
“When the mind is not…”- JoyNews’ Hotline documentary highlights bipolar disorder
49 mins -
NPP parliamentary candidates given slots to recruit into security agencies – Minority alleges
51 mins -
Akufo-Addo invited us to discuss issues of national concern – Minority Leader
55 mins -
Political parties question EC’s competence after admitting another error
1 hour -
Thief forced to desilt choked gutters with bare hands
1 hour -
Vote wisely in the upcoming elections-Presbyterian moderator
1 hour -
NCA leads Ghana’s celebration of 2024 World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
1 hour -
Don’t play ‘chaskele’ with pension funds; stop sale of hotels to Bryan Acheampong – TUC warns
2 hours