High Graphics | BBC Sport>>
Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Entertainment | Talking Point | AudioVideo | High Graphics | BBC SPORT>>
Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Entertainment | Talking Point | AudioVideo |
World Contents: Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | From Our Own Correspondent | Letter From America |

BBC News Online: World: Africa


Wednesday, 21 November, 2001, 12:05 GMT

Ivorian opposition plans protests


RDR supporter
At least 30 died during the last RDR protest alone
Ivory Coast's main opposition party, whose leader was barred from elections last year, is to organise further protests to demand fresh polls.

Alassane Ouattara
The Rally of Republicans (RDR) party announced it will take to the streets again with demands that its leader Alassane Ouattara be rehabilitated.

Former Prime Minister Ouattara was excluded from the presidential and parliamentary polls after the supreme court ruled that he did not meet nationality requirements.

At least 200 died in electoral violence last year, many during RDR demonstrations.

The last RDR protest alone left at least 30 people dead when activists clashed with security forces in December.

Protests promised

The party issued a statement on Tuesday after a meeting of its central committee saying it will organise "meetings, sit-ins, rallies at opportune times".

Laurent Gbagbo

"Faced with this serious attack on republican principles, the RDR will use all legal means to continue its fight for exclusion," the statement said.

Unrest has wracked Ivory Coast since General Robert Guei seized power in a military coup in December 1999.

The general promised to restore democracy and called general elections, which were won by current President Laurent Gbagbo despite an attempt by Mr Guei to stop the vote count.

But several key figures including Mr Ouattara were barred from contesting.

The court ruled that the RDR leader, who now lives in exile in Paris, was a national of Burkina Faso.

The RDR - which draws significant support from the Muslim community - said in its statement he should be given Ivorian nationality ahead of new elections.

Attempts to organise a national reconciliation forum have all but collapsed, with both Mr Ouattara and General Guei refusing to attend.

Election call

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has called for a new election.

RDR supporters

His statement echoed earlier calls by the Organisation of African Unity, and by la Francophonie - the group of French-speaking nations.

Mr Ouattara had said fresh polls were essential as he believed only about 5% of the country had voted on Sunday as a protest against the military regime.


Related to this story:
Tension mounts in Ivory Coast (23 Oct 01 | Africa) Ivory Coast president sworn in (26 Oct 00 | Africa) Ivory Coast's uncertain future (25 Oct 00 | Africa) Ivory Coast minister defects (25 Oct 00 | Media reports) Guei victory speech (25 Oct 00 | Media reports) Ivorian leader told to step down (24 Oct 00 | Africa) In pictures: Ivory Coast uprising (25 Oct 00 | Africa) Gbagbo addresses Ivorian nation (25 Oct 00 | Media reports)


Internet links: Abidjan Net: Ivory Coast elections (in French) | Africa Online: Ivory Coast |
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
High Graphics | BBC Sport>>
Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Entertainment | Talking Point | AudioVideo | High Graphics | BBC SPORT>>
Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Entertainment | Talking Point | AudioVideo |
World Contents: Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | From Our Own Correspondent | Letter From America |

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | ©