Western Rebels Agree to Attend Peace Talks
France’s efforts to end civil war in Ivory Coast received a boost as western-based rebels agreed to halt hostilities and pledged to join the main, northern-based guerrilla group at Paris peace talks.
West African mediators said they are aiming to get all sides to sign a joint cease-fire before the talks, due to start Wednesday.
The fighting in Ivory Coast, the world’s top cocoa producer, has split the nation of 16 million along ethnic lines and ruined its reputation as a rock of stability in West Africa. Hundreds have been killed since September.
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