Riots Lead to Curfew in Ivory Coast

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast —  Hardening its tone against Ivory Coast’s main opposition party, the government imposed a nationwide curfew and state of emergency Monday night, hours after mobs of protesters with nail-studded sticks and rusty machetes clashed with riot police.

At least two people were killed and an unknown number injured in protests by Ivorians angry over the exclusion of the West African country’s main opposition leader from upcoming legislative elections.

Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s main city, was paralyzed as demonstrators blocked roads with burning tires and scrap lumber. Police and soldiers replied by firing tear gas and, in some cases, live ammunition.

There were also protests in the northern city of Kong, the hometown of opposition leader and former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara. His supporters beat up an official and chased him out of his house. Opposition supporters also rallied in the central town of Bouake, said Interior Minister Emile Boga Doudou.

In a televised speech, President Laurent Gbagbo said he had ordered the deployment of the army and police in response to the protests. The curfew, to last until Dec. 12, prohibits residents from leaving their homes between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The quiet was not expected to last beyond daybreak. Amadou Gon Coulibaly, the secretary-general of the Rally of the Republicans, the country’s main opposition party, said protests will continue until the government allows Ouattara to run on Sunday’s ballot.