OBJ warns protesting Cote d’Ivoire soldiers against violence

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

As regards the mass protest by Cote d’voire soldiers over wage and bonus dispute, former Nigerian president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, in a statement on Wednesday has advised the soldiers to act within the code of good conduct and military discipline.
The soldiers were reported to have broken out of their barracks and embarked on random shootings and threats to civilian lives over a wage and bonus dispute.

Obasanjo in the statement said;

“I believe most of us in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria, have been worried and felt concerned about the standoff and unwholesome situation in the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire where the disgruntled Ivoirian soldiers broke out of their barracks and embarked on sporadic shootings and threats to civilian lives over a wage and bonus dispute.

“While as a former Comrade of those soldiers, I would wish that they have their required bonuses and enhanced wages but as military men, they must act within the code of good conduct and military discipline.

“I appeal to these disgruntled soldiers to peacefully return to their barracks and await the Ivoirian Government’s consideration of their complaints and demands.

“Collectively and individually, our countries in West Africa make peace for development, growth and progress and nothing must be done to reverse the progress so far made by the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire under President Alassane Ouattara.”

Obasanjo, however, urged the government of Cote d’Ivoire to swiftly attend to the grievances of the agitated soldiers to bring the country to normalcy.