Ivory Coast's president says his government has reached an agreement with mutinying soldiers to end a two-day revolt. The uprising over pay and living conditions had spread to cities across the West African country.
"I would like to say that this manner of making demands is not appropriate. It tarnishes the image of our country after all our efforts to revive the economy," Ouattara said during a brief television address, before urging all soldiers to return to their barracks.
The president committed to improving soldiers' living and working conditions but did not say when the arrears would be paid.
A short time later, news agencies Reuters and AFP reported that rogue soldiers who rejected the terms of the deal held Defense Minister Alain Richard Donwahi in Bouake, the country's second-largest city.
Some of the mutineers fired Kalashnikov rifles outside the home of a local official, trapping Donwahi, journalists and the mayor of Bouake inside.
The group was finally able to leave around 10:00 p.m. local time, AFP and Reuters reported, citing witnesses.
Spreading unrest:
The uprising began early Friday when soldiers demanding wage increases and bonuses seized Bouake. By Saturday, disgruntled soldiers in a number of other cities and towns - including the economic capital, Abidjan - had also joined the mutiny.
Heavy gunfire was reported inside the country's military headquarters and the compound housing the defense ministry in Abidjan, while rocket launchers were fired in Bouake. As the uprising gained momentum, soldiers also took to the streets in Daloa, Daoukro and Korhogo and Man.
In a bid to calm the situation, Defense Minister Donwahi had traveled to Bouake to meet with a delegation of the mutineers.
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