Rebels occupying the north of Ivory Coast who walked out of a government of national reconciliation three months ago, could resume their seats in cabinet within the next few days, government and rebel sources said on Tuesday. Their return would end a stand-off which has threatened to plunge West Africa’s most prosperous country back into armed conflict. It would also pave the way for disarmament to begin and for the government to re-establish administrative control over the north, where most schools and health centers have been closed since Ivory Coast plunged into civil war on 19 September last year. Sidiki Konate, the spokesman of the northern rebels who are officially known as “The New Forces,” told IRIN there had been good progress in negotiations on a deal that would allow the rebels to return to government. These negotiations have been conducted indirectly through a UN-led Monitoring Committee, set up to supervise the implementation of a peace agreement signed between President Laurent Gbagbo and the rebels in January. Full Story
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