Ivory Coast Militias Begin Disarming

by Jordan Yerman | May 19, 2007 at 02:35 pm

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In a turning point in the five-year-long civil war that has gripped the Ivory Coast, militia groups have agreed to hand over their weapons. The process is far from smooth, with some groups expected to hold out and others demanding payment for their guns. Meanwhile Guillaume Soro, leader of the anti-government rebels, was handed the role of Prime Minister in a bid to create a power-sharing government.

Militia groups have started to disarm in Ivory Coast, in accordance with the terms of the country's peace deal.

The militias, which support President Laurent Gbagbo, are due to be disbanded under the agreement.

Ivory Coast has been split in half by civil war since September, 2002, but there is renewed optimism in the country that the crisis may be ending.

More than 1,000 weapons were symbolically handed over in a ceremony attended by President Gbagbo.

The militia groups supported the president against the New Forces rebels, often fighting alongside the regular army.