Fresh gunfire in Ivory Coast as officials seek end to mutiny
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE-In this file photo taken Friday, Oct. 23, 2015, Ivory Coast troops provide security during an election rally of Ivory Coast incumbent President Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Some unidentified soldiers have launched mutinies in three cities across this West African country on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, demanding higher pay and bringing the threat of unrest back to Africa's fastest-growing economy, authorities said. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam, File) (The Associated Press)
A witness in Bouake, Ivory Coast's second-largest city, says gunfire has been heard for a second day in as security officials prepare to meet with disgruntled soldiers who staged a mutiny over pay and other conditions.
Moussa Fofana, a taxi driver in Bouake, said Saturday the latest shooting began at 3 a.m. and continued sporadically for several hours before dying down.
Soldiers launched their mutiny early Friday by opening fire at a military camp and in the streets of Bouake. Similar unrest was reported in other cities including Daloa in the west and Korhogo in the north.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Appearing on state television Friday night, Defense Minister Alain-Richard Donwahi said security officials would meet Saturday with soldiers to try to end what he called a "deplorable" situation.