Ivory Coasts sees rash of small opposition protests in wake of decree to dissolve government

Ivory Coast sees protests against dissolved govt

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast — Protesters torched a city bus in Ivory Coast’s economic capital in the latest daily demonstration of violence since the president dissolved the government last week.

Witnesses said 10 young men who identified themselves as opposition supporters forced bus riders off before setting it alight on Wednesday. No one was hurt. Shortly afterward, riot police used tear gas to disperse some 200 protesters marching nearby.

Small opposition protests started Friday, when President Laurent Gbagbo dissolved the government.

Opposition Prime Minister Guillaume Soro says he is meeting with all parties to start a new government and to organize presidential elections as soon as possible. Five years after Gbagbo’s term ended, Ivory Coast has yet to hold a ballot.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) — Protesters torched a city bus in Ivory Coast’s economic capital in the latest daily demonstration of violence since the president dissolved the government last week.

Witnesses said 10 young men who identified themselves as opposition supporters forced bus riders off before setting it alight on Wednesday. No one was hurt. Shortly afterward, riot police used tear gas to disperse some 200 protesters marching nearby.

Small opposition protests started Friday, when President Laurent Gbagbo dissolved the government.

Opposition Prime Minister Guillaume Soro says he is meeting with all parties to start a new government and to organize presidential elections as soon as possible. Five years after Gbagbo’s term ended, Ivory Coast has yet to hold a ballot.