Daniel Kablan Duncan

The main opposition party in Ivory Coast on Thursday demanded the resignation of Interior Minister Hamed Bakayoko after a New Year's Eve stampede that claimed 63 lives.

The Ivorian government on Wednesday promised that an investigation into the circumstances of a New Year stampede that left at least 63 people dead would be wrapped up by the end of the week.

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara on Wednesday appointed former foreign minister Daniel Kablan Duncan as prime minister of the troubled west African nation, a statement said.

West African defence and foreign ministers held talks Monday on the possible deployment of regional troops to Mali amid reports that Islamists destroyed the tomb of a Muslim saint in a region under their control.

Guinea-Bissau's coup leaders released the country's ousted prime minister and interim president on Friday after more than two weeks of captivity, allowing the former leaders to travel to Ivory Coast.

Guinea-Bissau troops staged an attempted coup late Thursday, attacking the prime minister's residence, arresting politicians and seizing the ruling party headquarters and the national radio station.

Guinea-Bissau troops staged an attemped coup, attacking the prime minister's residence, arresting politicians and seizing the ruling party headquarters and the national radio station.

Mali's new interim president, who took over from coup leaders, is threatening "total war" against the Tuareg and Islamist rebels who have seized half the country since the putsch three weeks ago.

Guinea-Bissau troops staged a coup attempt, attacking the prime minister's residence, arresting politicians and taking over the ruling party headquarters amid a media blackout.

Islamist militia in rebel-held northern Mali are recruiting children in a bid to boost their forces, a local elected official and a journalist in the region told AFP.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Tuesday praised Ivory Coast's leader for progress made since a deadly post-poll crisis but warned he could only cement peace by dialogue across the political divide.