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Rebel with a cause
by CNN's Jeff Koinange
BOUAKE, Ivory Coast (CNN) -- The sounds of gunfire have fallen silent in rebel held Bouake, Ivory Coast, and are replaced with the sounds of rebel soldiers singing songs of victory over government forces. As soon as they strike a chord, gunfire rings out also. A soldier has already forgotten that a cease-fire is in effect throughout the Ivory Coast, a former French colony in west Africa. Immediately, a leader appears and reprimands the insolent soldier. Discipline must be maintained, he insists, and no weapons are to be fired. The soldier pleads his case and is released. His weapon is confiscated. The man giving the orders is 32-year-old Sergeant Sherif Ousman, one of the architects of the Movement for the Liberation of Ivory Coast or MPCI, and the one responsible for the country's second coup attempt in three years. Ousman, a former soldier in the Ivorian Army, told CNN: "All we're asking for is justice, all we're asking for is equality, without exclusion, the freedom to choose our leaders, to participate in a free and democratic process. "For too long the present government has continued to disrespect its people and that's what we're fighting for." His rebel force of 800 seized control of half the country, until a truce was signed last week signalling an end to fighting. Peace talks start on October 22. On being asked whether troops from Burkina Faso, the country to the north, had joined them, Ousman replied: "All we have is dedicated Ivorian troops who are willing to die for their country." Today, French Forces have come seeking safe passage through Bouake. Ousman's troops may be rag tag, but they've managed to gain the respect and confidence of the French. After a brief chat, Ousman grants them permission and departs. The French convoy of close to 200 troops rumbles through the deserted city. The French Forces have come into rebel-held Bouake not only to show their presence but also to make sure the fragile cease-fire holds. Ousman's troops keep a watchful eye as the French convoy snakes its way through barrier after barrier. At the city square, thousands gather at a rally with machine gun waving soldiers. Ousman arrives with the pomp usually reserved for heads of state. His charisma charms the massive crowd. He calls for them to unite as one and not to tear the country apart along ethnic lines. Soon, Bouake's once deserted streets are once again filled with people. Life is slowly returning to some kind of normality, and even the presence of heavily armed rebel soldiers hasn't dented the city's soul.
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