THE federal government of Nigeria has condemned the recent developments in Cote d’Ivoire in which a small fraction of the country’s Armed Forces mutinied against the government.

Laolu Akande, spokesman of Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, in a statement on Wednesday, May 17, said Nigeria urged the mutineers to return to their barracks and refrain from any action capable of undermining the peace, security and democracy in that country.

He said the Nigerian government urged the people of Cote d’Ivoire to remain steadfast in their support for President Alhassan Quattara’s government and refrain from supporting the mutineers in the overall interest of peace, tranquillity, good order and prosperity of their country.

According to Akande, Nigeria expressed strong and unflinching support for the government of President Ouattara and welcomes ongoing efforts at resolving the crisis.

He said the federal government called on the parties to the crisis to exercise maximum restraint, remain calm and continue with dialogue and negotiations with Ouattara’s government.

—  May 17, 2017 @ 18:40 GMT