Abidjan — Cote d'Ivoire's MPCI rebels in the central, rebel-held town of Bouake have agreed to a truce in their four-week conflict with the government.
The "cessation of hostilities" takes effect at midnight GMT tonight (Thursday) and should pave the way to further negotiations between the two sides.
Senegalese foreign minister Cheikh Tidiane Gadio flew, Thursday morning, to Bouake with Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the executive secretary of the Economic Community of West African States and his deputy, General Cheick Oumar Diarra, after spending the weekend and Monday in talks with the rebels.
Speaking in Bouake after the agreement, Chambas said: "This is a very important step towards peace, towards restoring normalcy to Cote d'Ivoire. We appreciate the efforts of [Senegal's] President Wade, the chairman of Ecowas, and the efforts of Minister Gadio, who have been working very hard to get this accord to return this country [to] the path of stability and democracy."
The envoys had been cautiously optimistic, Wednesday, that a deal would be achieved. "We would like to believe that when they give us their word, when they give us their assurance, they mean it" said Chambas.
He explained: "The agreement contains the essential principles for bringing about peace, namely that there should be a halt to hostilities and a commitment by both sides to accept the process of dialogue and negotiations and we hope that both sides will constitute their representatives, so as to engage in direct talks."
Despite their public announcements that they are demanding the resignation of President Laurent Gbagbo and will continue their fight, the rebels appear to have been having more conciliatory discussions with the negotiators.
Ivorians, who have already once been disappointed this month, when the government refused to sign a ceasefire agreement with the rebels on October 5, are hoping that they may today be able to start putting the nightmare and prospect of all-out war behind them.
The rebel uprising has rocked the country and the region. Several European countries have advised their nationals not to go to Cote d'Ivoire. Neighbouring West African countries have been making preparations to evacuate their citizens if necessary.
