Abidjan — Residents woke this morning to reports that there had been intense gunfire in an overnight attack on Akouedo military camp on the outskirts of the city. The strategic barracks are the base of troops loyal to General Robert Guei, the military leader of Ivory Coast, who proclaimed himself president on Tuesday - and promptly dissolved the national electoral commission after Sunday's contested poll.
But General Guei faces three immediate challenges, public fury, international opprobrium and a divided army, all of which he must deal with simultaneously. Now he must grapple with his military opponents, bent on what might just the start of violent attempts to settle old scores.
The members of the armoured battalion, who launched the night time raid on Akouedo Camp, may have been hoping to reverse what has been condemned, at home and abroad, as a second coup d'etat and an unacceptable hijack of the democratic process by General Guei.
On Tuesday, his soldiers - armed with guns and teargas - faced the wrath of civilians who showed no fear in protesting on the streets. On Wednesday morning, they seem more desperate. Hundreds of youths again took to the streets in massive demonstrations for what they consider a stolen election victory for Laurent Gbagbo, the leader of the Ivorian Popular Front, who on Tuesday declared himself head of state.
The demonstrators have erected barricades on all the main roads leading into the centre, and clouds of smoke are billowing up from several neighbourhoods. There is sporadic gunfire in the city centre.
Roads leading into the city centre have been blocked by barricades- these are manned by young men- many of whom have painted their faces with war paint. There are also disturbances in the city centre.
Former information minister, the naval officer, Henri Cesar Sama Damalan has resigned and he was the one who said that Guei is on his way to the airport. Another trusted source said he had already left the country.
Sama says he has asked gendarmerie to arrest Guei and asked the head of radio and television to resign.
The Presidential palace still seems protected by soldiers, though the youth have taken over the rest of Plateau, commercial centre, including the radio station which has, however, continued to play music and made no announcements.
