Ivorian youths block streets

ABIDJAN – Pro-government demonstrators in Ivory Coast blocked streets for a second day in Abidjan yesterday to press their protest against a recommendation by foreign mediators that the country’s parliament be dissolved.

Young supporters of President Laurent Gbagbo had rioted on Monday in the economic capital of the world’s top cocoa grower, demanding that an international working group reverse its call for the parliament mandate not to be renewed. Ivory Coast has been split since a 2002 civil war into a rebel-held north and government-controlled south.The United Nations and international mediators are struggling to implement a long-delayed peace plan that now requires a presidential election to be held by the end of October following a process of disarmament.Witnesses said several roads close to the university were blocked yesterday by groups of protesters who formed barricades of wood, scrap metal, rubbish and tyres.They turned back cars.Residents reported similar ramshackle roadblocks were also erected in the south of the lagoon city, close to the airport.Diplomats said demonstrators who had gathered outside the French embassy on Monday were still there yesterday.The mandate of the current Ivorian parliament, which is dominated by Gbagbo loyalists, expired last month.But since no date has been set for parliamentary elections, the international working group charged with overseeing the UN peace plan recommended on Sunday that the existing national assembly should not reconvene.- Nampa-ReutersIvory Coast has been split since a 2002 civil war into a rebel-held north and government-controlled south.The United Nations and international mediators are struggling to implement a long-delayed peace plan that now requires a presidential election to be held by the end of October following a process of disarmament.Witnesses said several roads close to the university were blocked yesterday by groups of protesters who formed barricades of wood, scrap metal, rubbish and tyres.They turned back cars.Residents reported similar ramshackle roadblocks were also erected in the south of the lagoon city, close to the airport.Diplomats said demonstrators who had gathered outside the French embassy on Monday were still there yesterday.The mandate of the current Ivorian parliament, which is dominated by Gbagbo loyalists, expired last month.But since no date has been set for parliamentary elections, the international working group charged with overseeing the UN peace plan recommended on Sunday that the existing national assembly should not reconvene.- Nampa-Reuters