Ivory Coast: Soldier mutiny continues May 13 /update 1

Event

Soldiers continue to mutiny across the country on Saturday, May 13. The main access roads into Bouaké, the country’s second largest city, have been blocked and the soldiers have sealed off the city. A spokesman for the protesting soldiers said that demonstrations are also taking place in Abidjan, Korhogo, Daloa, Man, and Bondoukou. There are some reports of the soldiers firing small arms into the air, but no violence has been reported. Further tensions and related traffic disruptions are possible in the affected cities in the coming hours and days.

Context

The mutiny started on Friday, May 12, with the disgruntled soldiers taking control of the national military headquarters and the defense ministry in Abidjan. After tense negotiations the rebelling soldiers withdrew from the buildings and the barricades throughout the city were taken down. Later in the day a spokesman for the soldiers issued an apology for the current mutiny to President Alassane Ouattara. However, the protesting soldiers claim that the spokesman did not represent them.

Soldiers launched a mutiny on January 6 over low wages and unpaid bonuses supposedly owed to the soldiers after the 2010-2011 post-electoral crisis. Calm was restored after an agreement between mutineers and the government was reached on January 7 but the situation remains volatile. Fresh shots were reportedly fired into the air on the night of January 11 and into the afternoon of January 12 in Bouaké.

A similar uprising occurred in 2014, when hundreds of soldiers blocked roads throughout the country demanding unpaid wages. The government ultimately reached a financial settlement with the soldiers.

Ivory Coast experienced a drawn-out political crisis from 2002 to 2011 but is now considered one of Africa's most promising economies, the largest in francophone West Africa. However, the country's military continues to suffer from large internal divisions stemming from long-standing animosities among current soldiers (opponents in previous conflicts) and a lack of reform.

Advice

Individuals present in Abidjan and other areas where unrest is ongoing are advised to avoid unnecessary long-distance movements, to be prepared to shelter in place for a period of several days should the situation deteriorate, to keep abreast of ongoing developments, and to follow any instructions issued by local authorities or their home governments.

On a more general note, due to tensions between ethnic groups and occasional outbreaks of deadly violence, some Western governments advise against nonessential travel to the southwestern border areas with Liberia (Bas-Sassandra, Haut-Sassandra, Dix-Huit Montagnes regions). Additionally, due to high crime rates in urban areas, visitors to Ivory Coast are advised to maintain a low profile at all times as criminals may target foreigners due to their perceived affluence. Be particularly vigilant after dusk and avoid traveling by foot at night. Be aware that criminals may be armed; do not resist in the event of an attempted robbery.