Former rebels now serving in army enter TV and radio headquarters as part of protests over unpaid pay and bonuses.
Former rebels now serving in Ivory Coast 's army
have set up barricades and blocked streets
outside barracks across the West African nation in
protests over unpaid benefits and bonuses,
military and diplomatic sources say.
Demonstrations broke out on Tuesday at about a
half dozen military bases in the commercial
capital Abidjan and the second city of Bouake as
well as in the towns of Korhogo , Bondoukou and
Daloa , a hub of the country ' s cocoa industry .
Some of the demonstrating soldiers were
demanding promotions and payment of a five
million CFA franc ( $ 9 , 557) bonus they say each
was promised three years ago while fighting for
the rebels supporting current President Alassane
Ouattara .
Others said they have been shortchanged on
benefits .
Residents in Korhogo and Daloa reported hearing
bursts of gunfire . Cocoa buyers in Daloa said
warehouses closed about midday due to the
unrest.
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