Ivory Coast: Ouattara, opposition in key talks

The release of political prisoners taken in during the 2010- 2011 post-election crisis in Ivory Coast topped the agenda on Thursday during a meeting between President Alassane Ouattara and opposition leaders from the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) party.

The two parties are yet to agree on the number of prisoners to be released.

The leader of the FPI party, Pascal Affi N’guessan, said he saw real progress and a political will to settle all problems related to the post-electoral crisis.

“In coordination, we are working together towards peace building, democracy and national reconciliation among the Ivorian people,” said Mr N’guessan.

President Ouattara had announced during his New Year address that he had reduced the sentences of 3,100 prisoners, held over post-election unrest.

He however did not give a breakdown of how many prisoners would go free immediately and how many would remain behind bars.

Ivory Coast was rocked by a five month unrest that claimed more than 3,000 people following a dispute of the outcome of the polls.

Supporters of Ouattara clashed with those of the FPI, then led by former president, Laurent Gbagbo who was later arrested and put in prison. He is currently awaiting trial at the International Criminal Court.