THE ruling junta in Ivory Coast says it has struck a deal to pay its mutinous soldiers, but would not give details of the agreement. Soldiers who had helped military ruler, General Robert Guei, stage a coup over Christmas, rioted in the streets of Abidjan and other cities, demanding to be paid for their help in bringing the general to power. About 30 of the mutineering soldiers that had been cruising around the streets of Abidjan in hijacked cars, shooting into the air, had then attended the meeting at which the two sides agreed on a payment deal. Guei became head of state after he and a group of young soldiers toppled the then President Henri Konan Bedie on Christmas Eve. He immediately declared himself head of state and has promised democratic elections “soon”.