Protesters Block Parts of Ivory Coast
Thousands of demonstrators blockaded parts of Ivory Coast on Wednesday, in protest against President Laurent Gbagbo's decision to dissolve the government and electoral commission.
[Michel Kouakou Kouadio, Protester]:
"We want President Gbagbo to resign, because today he doesn't behave like a head of state, it's the actions of a dictator, and he's not trustworthy."
Gbagbo’s decision comes after a disagreement with the electoral commission over voter registration.
In the town of Toumodi, hundreds of demonstrators set up road blocks and chanted slogans.
In the main city of Abidjan, a protester seized and set fire to a bus belonging to a national transport company.
Witnesses said that about 1,000 demonstrators had marched through towns of Daoukro, Dimbokro and M'Bahiakro.
Ivory Coast's military chief said that security forces would defend the state against any civil unrest.
[General Philippe Mangou, Ivory Coast Military Chief]:
"We are here to defend the institutions of the republic; those acting against them will meet us in their path."
Prime Minister Guillaume Soro is expected to announce a government this week but it is not clear when an electoral commission will be named.
Gbagbo's decision could delay a presidential election that was scheduled for March.
The election has long been delayed, and is needed to restore peace in the country after a 2002-2003 war divided it between Gbagbo's government and rebels.
[Michel Kouakou Kouadio, Protester]:
"We want President Gbagbo to resign, because today he doesn't behave like a head of state, it's the actions of a dictator, and he's not trustworthy."
Gbagbo’s decision comes after a disagreement with the electoral commission over voter registration.
In the town of Toumodi, hundreds of demonstrators set up road blocks and chanted slogans.
In the main city of Abidjan, a protester seized and set fire to a bus belonging to a national transport company.
Witnesses said that about 1,000 demonstrators had marched through towns of Daoukro, Dimbokro and M'Bahiakro.
Ivory Coast's military chief said that security forces would defend the state against any civil unrest.
[General Philippe Mangou, Ivory Coast Military Chief]:
"We are here to defend the institutions of the republic; those acting against them will meet us in their path."
Prime Minister Guillaume Soro is expected to announce a government this week but it is not clear when an electoral commission will be named.
Gbagbo's decision could delay a presidential election that was scheduled for March.
The election has long been delayed, and is needed to restore peace in the country after a 2002-2003 war divided it between Gbagbo's government and rebels.
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