I Coast opposition sign deal
2005-05-18 13:30
Paris - Ivory Coast's main opposition parties signed a deal in Paris on Wednesday ahead of general elections later this year, an alliance that would see them govern together should they defeat President Laurent Gbagbo.
The agreement on the elections and distribution of power in the event of an opposition win was signed by Ivory Coast's main opposition leaders, Alassane Ouattara and former president Henri Konan Bedie, and two other movements.
Presidential elections are set to take place in the former French colony in October, followed by legislative elections.
The deal, although it sets victory in the presidential elections as its main goal, does not foresee the naming of a consensus candidate, but stipulates candidates would drop out of the race after the first round in favour of the one with the most votes.
Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa producer, was cut in two in September 2002 following an unsuccessful attempt to oust Gbagbo. Rebels control the north of the West African state.
Gbagbo, rebel and opposition leaders signed a peace deal in April in Pretoria, mediated by President Thabo Mbeki.
At the weekend, army and rebel forces signed an agreement which set June 27 as the date to begin disarmament of their fighters.