Rebels in Ivory Coast Agree to Ceasefire - 2002-10-04

Rebels in the African country of Ivory Coast have agreed to a ceasefire. The aim is to end a 15-day uprising that has brought most of the northern regions of the country under their control. This agreement was reached on Thursday in the city of Bouaké during a meeting attended by mediators from the Economic Community of West African States. Mediators say the ceasefire agreement may be signed on Friday. Hundreds of rebel soldiers who rose up on September 19 have taken control of many cities in northern Ivory Coast, where most residents are Muslims. In this unrest, hundreds have died and thousands have been displaced. The latest news indicates that the government of Ivory Coast and the rebels are expected to sign an agreement today to end a two-week uprising that has brought most northern areas under rebel control. The ceasefire agreement, which was prepared with the cooperation of mediators from six West African countries, was supposed to be signed on Friday. However, they stated that both sides objected to parts of its draft. The government opposes the widespread deployment of West African forces to monitor the ceasefire, and the rebels are against a clause in the agreement that requires them to disarm.