Agreement reported between CNSP, protesters

Information Minister Captain Henri Sama said agreement had been reached on Wednesday between Cote d’Ivoire’s ruling junta, the Conseil National de Salut Public (CNSP), and protesting soldiers demanding millions of CFA francs in bonuses. Sama said on Radio France Internationale (RFI) that the agreement would be announced on state television in the afternoon. The protest, which prompted the CNSP to impose a curfew from 19:00 to 07:00 GMT, began on Tuesday with soldiers firing shots in the air to press for the payment of a bonus of six million CFA francs (about US $9000) per person, reportedly for their role in the coup that ousted President Henri Konan Bedie on 24 December 1999. The protesters also attacked a bank in the central town of Bouake and one in Korhogo (north), on Tuesday, the authorities reported. There was gunfire in various Abidjan neighbourhoods on Tuesday night and on Wednesday, area residents told IRIN. The protesters also commandeered private cars and taxis on Tuesday, prompting many people to leave their vehicles at home or at the office. There were reports, including by western embassies, that vehicles were still being seized on Wednesday.