At least 3 soldiers have been killed in clashes with demonstrators in the Ivory Coast city of Abidjan.
The demonstrators are angry at presidential incumbent Laurent Gbagbo, after elections in November last year showed that he lost to Alassane Ouattara.
Meanwhile a delegation of African Union officials have met with Mr Gbagbo in an effort to persuade him to step down.
Market trader Sephora Konate said:
"Since this morning, there has been constant shooting between the military and the people here. Everyone is terrified. Children are crying but there's nothing we can say to comfort them."
