1 of 3 | The heavy weaponry used by forces loyal to former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo are destroyed at a naval base in Locodjoro, a neighbourhood of Abidjan, Ivory Coast on April 10, 2011, as part of a joint operation by the UN mission there (UNOCI) and French Licorne forces to prevent the use of heavy weapons against civilians and UN peacekeepers. Ivorian civilians, UNOCI, and supporters of new president Alassane Ouattara, have all come under attack by Gbagbo loyalists since Mr. Gbagbo’s loss in 2010 presidential elections.UPI/GLENNA GORDON/UN |
License Photo
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, July 26 (UPI) -- Without some sort of compensation from authorities in Ivory Coast, militiamen who helped oust the former president warned of another rebellion.
Militiamen fighting alongside the Republican Forces of Ivory Coast helped remove former President Laurent Gbagbo from power early this year. Gbagbo was apprehended in April with the help of French peacekeepers, ending a political stalemate that simmered since November and pushed the country to the brink of civil war.
The militiamen told the United Nations' humanitarian news agency IRIN that they haven't been paid as promised.
"If we are not paid and helped in finding work soon I'm telling you right now there will be another rebellion in Ivory Coast," said one militiaman who spoke with IRIN on condition his identity was withheld.
The government of Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara revamped the military leadership and urged exiled officers to return to the country to help address the security vacuum left over from the political stalemate.
With both sides accused of committing atrocities during the conflict, observers note Ivory Coast has a long road ahead in terms of recovery.
