Salt Lake City, USA - Mormon church officials say political unrest in the Ivory Coast had led to a suspension of church missionary activities in the West African nation.
Church officials say the suspension is in place until further notice. It follows a disputed presidential election that has led to months of widespread violence throughout the country.
The Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in December relocated its non-native Ivory Coast missionaries to Benin and Togo. Ivorian missionaries have been given temporary leave to return home or stay with other church members until missionary work resumes.
The church says it has more than 15,600 members in 44 congregations across the country.
Missionary work in the Ivory Coast began in 1988.