ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AA) – President Alassane Ouattara has dismissed the heads of the army, the national gendarmerie and the police following a two-day mutiny over unpaid bonuses, a presidential official announced late Monday.
“President of the Republic, Alassane Ouattara, signed three decrees terminating the duties of General Soumaila Bakayoko, chief of staff of the Ivorian Armed Forces, Lieutenant-General Gervais Kouakou Kouassi, the superior commander of the national gendarmerie, and Bredou Mbia, director-general of the national police,” Amadou Gon Coulibaly, secretary general of the presidency told the press.
A group of soldiers took to the streets in the country’s second city of Bouake on Friday, in what was thought to be an army mutiny over the payment of bonuses promised in 2007.
The revolt later spread to other parts of the West African country including the towns of Korhogo, Odienne, Daloa, Daoukro, and the economic capital Abidjan.
On Saturday, President Ouattara agreed to examine the mutineers’ claims but denounced their actions.
On Monday morning, Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan presented his resignation and that of his government to the president. The appointment of a new prime minister was expected on Monday night, but none was made.
