This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7008902.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Ivory Coast ex-head in rare rally | |
(about 23 hours later) | |
Ivory Coast former President Henri Konan Bedie - who was deposed in a coup in 1999 - has held a rare political rally outside the capital. | |
He bitterly attacked the current Ivorian leader, Laurent Gbagbo, describing his administration as more hideous than colonialism. | He bitterly attacked the current Ivorian leader, Laurent Gbagbo, describing his administration as more hideous than colonialism. |
The rally passed off peacefully, a sign of the thawing of the political climate, correspondents say. | The rally passed off peacefully, a sign of the thawing of the political climate, correspondents say. |
But it is still not clear when twice-postponed elections will be held. | But it is still not clear when twice-postponed elections will be held. |
'Good faith' | 'Good faith' |
In his speech, Mr Bedie announced a manifesto that included 17 key areas he intended to work on to develop Ivory Coast. | In his speech, Mr Bedie announced a manifesto that included 17 key areas he intended to work on to develop Ivory Coast. |
The country has been split by civil war for five years. | The country has been split by civil war for five years. |
But the fighting has stopped, and a recent peace deal has improved the relationship between the New Forces rebels and their sworn enemy, Mr Gbagbo. | But the fighting has stopped, and a recent peace deal has improved the relationship between the New Forces rebels and their sworn enemy, Mr Gbagbo. |
President Laurent Gbagbo has promised new elections | President Laurent Gbagbo has promised new elections |
That has left opposition politicians like Mr Bedie on the outside looking in, the BBC's correspondent in Ivory Coast, James Copnall, says. | That has left opposition politicians like Mr Bedie on the outside looking in, the BBC's correspondent in Ivory Coast, James Copnall, says. |
But the rally, and Mr Bedie's strong words, underline that he and other opposition leaders are preparing for a political fight, our correspondent says. | But the rally, and Mr Bedie's strong words, underline that he and other opposition leaders are preparing for a political fight, our correspondent says. |
Last month, Mr Gbagbo promised fresh elections in a televised address on the eve of the country's independence day. | Last month, Mr Gbagbo promised fresh elections in a televised address on the eve of the country's independence day. |
"We must get out of the political crisis through elections," he said. | "We must get out of the political crisis through elections," he said. |
"If we all act in good faith... we can organise the presidential election by the end of the year, by December 2007." | "If we all act in good faith... we can organise the presidential election by the end of the year, by December 2007." |
Previous version
1
Next version