Putsch de Noël

General Robert Gueï is still far from consolidating his position as head of state following the 24 December Christmas coup that brought him to power. Too many civilians and soldiers think the coup has been hijacked for the benefit of Alassane Dramane Ouattara, leader of the Rassemblement des Républicains and former Prime Minister. Ouattara was at the centre of a political row last year when President Henri Konan Bédié tried to stop him running for president in elections scheduled for this year. Ouattara returned to Abidjan in triumph a week after the coup. Although he has declined a job in Gueï's transitional government, Ouattara's military and RDR allies are well represented in the new line-up. Those objecting most strongly include Minister of Youth and Sports Colonel Mathias Doui, who initiated the coup, and other young officiers.

Article Tags:
Robert Gueï, Henri Konan Bédié, Mathias, Doui, Laurent Gbagbo, French, Lassana Palenfo, Issa Diakité, N'golo Coulibaly, Rassemblement des Républicains

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