Violence feared as Ouattara camp calls for street protests

Alassane Ouattara's camp on Tuesday called for massive street demonstrations to take back the state television, which has been dominated by his rival Laurent Gbagbo since the 28 November election. The march on Thursday will be followed by a march on government buildings Friday.

Reuters/Thierry Gouegnon

Both buildings are heavily guarded by troops loyal to Gbagbo. Outside the prime minister's office, Laurent Gbagbo's prime minister, N'Gbo Ake, held his first cabinet meeting and announced new rules to stamp out corruption.

Across town, Djédjé Mady, the president of Ouattara's electoral coalition, called on Ivorians to descend into the streets Thursday and Friday to support what he called the legal government of Côte d'Ivoire and take back first the state TV, then the government buildings.

Gbagbo and Ouattara have been battling over the presidency for two weeks, since competing institutions pronounced each man winner. Most of the world’s governments support Ouattara. But Gbagbo continues to occupy the presidential palace and monopolise the country's media.

Security forces used tear gas to disperse several hundred Ouattara supporters in Tiébissou, in the central region.

But while the stand-off has led to two presidents and two governments, it hasn't come to blows yet, but with heavily armed troops taking up positions around the TV station and government buildings, Thursday could be trouble.