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Ivorian President, Alassane Ouattara, and his main rival, Henri Konan Bédié have smoked the peace pipe following weeks of post elections violence.
The two men have announced plans for further engagement after meeting in the commercial capital Abidjan.
The government says 85 people have been killed in violence connected with the election in which Mr Ouattara won a controversial third term.
A number of opposition leaders have been arrested after they rejected the results of the October 31 presidential elections and set up a rival administration.
Following the meeting described by the rivals as an ‘ice- breaker’, President Ouattara’s told journalists that “trust has been rebuilt”.
After securing a 3rd term in polls which much of the opposition refused to accept & saw dozens killed, President Ouattara of Ivory Coast & rival Henri Konan Bédié have met— say dialogue to continue & shows commitment to peace.
(all things Ivory Coast follow @LdeBassompierre) pic.twitter.com/hQz7T7GlTN— Samira Sawlani (@samirasawlani) November 12, 2020
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However the two leaders did not shake hands in front of the cameras.
Mr Bedie’s party, the PDCI, had demanded the removal of security blockades on the residences of opposition leaders and cessation of legal proceedings against them.
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At least 12 people have been killed in clashes between protesters and police officers in seven days.
Ouattara secured the October 31 election by more than 94 percent but opposition leaders have rejected the vote, accusing him of breaching the two-term limit for the presidency.
Source: Africafeeds.com
