Discussions Among West African Countries Continue - 2002-09-30

A group of officials from West African countries was scheduled to meet today with the President of Côte d'Ivoire to seek a peaceful solution to end the military rebellion in the country. A delegation consisting of foreign and defense ministers from several African countries engaged in discussions with rebel soldiers who have seized the central city of Bouaké and another city, Daloa, in the north of the country. Officials from West African countries have supported Laurent Gbagbo, the President of Côte d'Ivoire, and stated that if their mediation does not yield results, they will send a multinational force to Côte d'Ivoire. According to Ivorian government officials, loyalist forces have surrounded the city of Bouaké and will attack if the rebels do not surrender. On the other hand, rebel leaders claim they are fully prepared for war if necessary. On Sunday, both sides expressed their readiness for peace negotiations. Meanwhile, French forces have entered the city of Yamoussoukro, the capital of Côte d'Ivoire, and are preparing to evacuate French citizens and other foreigners in the event of war in Bouaké. In the early days of the rebellion, which the government claims was actually a coup, at least 270 people were killed.