BBC News | AFRICA | Guei's opponents call for national strike

A group of political parties, unions and organisations, which are boycotting Sunday's presidential election in Ivory Coast, has called a two-day national strike starting on Monday.

The group, calling itself the Forum of Dead Town Days, has asked all workers to stay home in protest against what it says is a sham election.

Fourteen of the 19 candidates in the election were disqualified by a controversial decision of the Ivorian Supreme Court.

But the ruling junta has threatened to take action against anyone in transport or commerce who heeded the strike call.

"All workers, traders, transporters and drivers are asked to abstain from all professional activity," said a communique issued by the opposition and unionist forum.

The forum includes the Rally of Republicans (RDR) party, which called for a boycott of the election after its presidential candidate, Mr Ouattara, was declared ineligible by a supreme court ruling on 6 October.

The dominant Ivory Coast Democratic Party (PDCI) - whose candidates were all disqualified - is not part of the forum, but has called for a boycott of the vote.

Sanctions

The military government has warned that it would penalise those behind the strike call in whatever way it judged necessary.

Alassane Ouattara

Ouattara: Called for boycott after being disqualified

A statement, signed by Information Minister Henri Sama and read on state television, targeted supporters of former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara who traditionally have strong links with the two sectors in the country.

The statement said that the junta could not tolerate such strikes, as they had no link with normal trade union activity.

"The sanctions could go so far as the withdrawal of operating licences and a permanent ban on exercising a profession in transport or commerce in Ivory Coast," the statement added.

Election funding

The Supreme Court ruling validated only two heavyweight candidacies to run for presidency on 22 October- the military ruler General Robert Guei, and Laurent Gbagbo of the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI).

Both the United States and the European Union have frozen election funding, and former colonial ruler France has also criticised the Ivorian electoral process.

General Guei held his first campaign rally on Thursday, lashing out at foreign critics.


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