Military brass get tough with soldiers

Ivorian Army chief of staff Colonel Soumahila Diabagate has warned dissident soldiers to return all their weapons by the end of the week or face discharge, the state daily ‘Fraternite Matin’ reported on Thursday.

Yesterday’s warning, aired on state radio and television, follows an attempted mutiny by soldiers on Tuesday over pay at Daloa barracks in the northwest of the country. During the unrest soldiers seized weapons from the armoury and one soldier loyal to the government was killed.

At the beginning of the week the Minister of Security, General Lassana Palenfo, referring to recent media reports citing insubordination and indiscipline in the army, said that some of the same young unruly elements helped bring the military to power in December 1999. However, he added, the military was put in charge to do a job and it must be trusted to achieve its mission.

Meanwhile, in a ceremony broadcast on national television and radio, the army discharged a soldier accused of shooting a student over the weekend. He is charged with attempted murder and is to stand trial.