Fresh gunfire rocks Ivory Coast

Ivorian special forces on Tuesday mutinied in the coastal town of Adiake, 100 kilometres from the economic capital Abidjan.

According to reports, witnesses who spoke on condition of anonymity said the gunfire came from a camp of an elite force, who also blocked nearby roads.

The witness account was also corroborated by a military source who added that mutineers were seeking a similar pay off to one agreed with the government in January. It involved bonus payments for soilders promised when fighting for former president Laurent Gbagbo.

The forces are said to be up to 800 in number and report directly to the president’s office.

The west African economy has been recently hit by a wave of rebellion from soilders ,who last month opened fire in the second largest city of Bouake, resulting to a two -day revolt that spread to other parts of the country.

Ivory Coast’s government struck a deal with the disgruntled soilders about three weeks ago, in which around 8,000 soilders were promised 12 m CFA Francs ($19,300 each).