In a series of tweets via the official Twitter handle of the Presidency, the Nigerian government called for calm between both parties while advising the mutineers to dialogue.
Six people, including a mother of three, were wounded when renegade soldiers in Ivory Coast opened fire at a protest against an army mutiny in Bouake last Friday.
The mutiny over unpaid bonuses spread quickly to other cities and towns, mirroring an uprising by the same group in January, Al-Jazeera reports.
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The mutineers helped the president take office in 2011. The former rebels make up about 8,400 of Ivory Coast’s 22,000-strong army.
The Govt of Nigeria condemns in strong terms the recent mutiny by a small fraction of Cote d’Ivoire’s Armed Forces, against the Government.
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) May 17, 2017
Nigeria expresses strong & unflinching support for the Govt of Pres. Alassane Ouattara & welcomes ongoing efforts at resolving the crisis.
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) May 17, 2017
.@AsoRock urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint, remain calm and continue the dialogue with the Govt of President Ouattara.
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) May 17, 2017
We urge the mutineers to return to their barracks & refrain from any action capable of undermining peace, security & democracy in C/Ivoire
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) May 17, 2017
We urge the people of Cote d’Ivoire to remain steadfast in their support for the Govt & to refrain from giving support to the mutineers…
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) May 17, 2017
… in the overall interest of the peace, tranquillity, good order and prosperity of Côte d’Ivoire.
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) May 17, 2017
A deal was expected to be agreed on Monday, however, two spokesmen for the rebel soldiers told Reuters they wanted more money.
One, Sgt Seydou Kone said: “They proposed five million CFA francs (each) to be paid tomorrow. But we want seven million to be paid in one payment and immediately.”