August 29, 2008

Today’s Ivorian papers reported on the upcoming FPI convention; the Ivorian presidential elections, the Democratic Party's convention in the United States; President Laurent Gbagbo’s return from a ten-day leave, the Ex-rebels protest; and political party tours in view of the upcoming Ivorian presidential elections.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A headline quoted Affi N’Guessan's (President of ruling FPI party) comments on the presidential elections.  According to N’Guessan the elections scheduled for November 30, 2008 pose a challenge for Soro, the Prime Minister.  In an interview, N’Guessan announced his party’s upcoming convention on the selection of the party's candidate to the elections. He stated the conditions for the eligibility of the party candidate. 

2. The paper also reported on the president’s return from Gambia, where he was on leave for ten days. In a related development, Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) noted that the President Gbagbo did not make any speech on his return; this is unusual, since he always talks to the nation when he returns from trips abroad.

3. In a separate article, Fraternite Matin reported on the US Democratic Party's convention in Denver, where Barack Obama accepted his nomination as the official Democratic Party's candidate to the “White House”.  On the same subject, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) headline story said “Barack Obama was anointed by Bill and Hillary Clinton”. The report said that Barack Obama and Bill Clinton are united to defeat John McCain, the republican candidate.

4. On the elections in Cote d'Ivoire, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported on upcoming FPI convention to select the party’s candidate to the presidential elections of November 30, 2008. The paper also reported that Affi N’guessan, president of the FPI party attributes recent ex-rebels protests to what he calls the "failure of the UN Mission in Cote d’Ivoire."

5. In a front-page story, Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) reported on Gbagbo’s return from holiday saying ”Gbagbo returned from the witchdoctors’ country.” The paper further reminded readers that serious issues namely the question on holding or not holding the presidential elections as scheduled for November 30, the new army, the identification process, and the electoral census were awaiting the president.

6. In a separate story, Le Jour Plus also reported that   “the presidential elections of November 2008 will not take place.”  According to the paper this is because of the obvious delays in the organization of the electoral process.

7.   On world matters, Le Jour Plus reported on Russia's reaction to the threats of sanctions over the issue of Georgia.  According to the paper, Russia accused the United States of interfering in the conflict between Georgia and South Ossetia.

8. In a front-page story, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the party) quoted Henri Konan Bedie, the former ruling party president as saying: “the elections are the unique way to end up with disorder.  According to the paper Bedie made this comment during an address to people in Dabakala, in the Northern region of Cote d’Ivoire.

9.   On the uncertainty regarding the date of the upcoming presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire, Le Nouveau Reveil published a story explaining that Beugre Mambe, the President of the Independent Electoral Commission will serve as the scapegoat if the elections are not held as scheduled.  

11.  On the issue of the ex-combatants of the New Forces, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) reported on the successive protests of those ex-soldiers from Bouake, Seguela, and Vavoua zones on the need for financial support.

12. On corruption issues, Le Matin d’Abidjan (also close to the ruling party FPI) reported that “Francis Wodie was cited in a financial scandal”. (Mr. Francis Wodie is the President of the Ivorian Labor Party). According to the paper employees of the Ministry of the Environment were denouncing unfair practices by the party leader.  Their main complaint is that non-professional employees are receiving salaries ranging from 450,000 CFA to 600,000 CFA, just because they are members of the party. 

August 28, 2008

Reports in today’s newspapers in Cote d’Ivoire said that five Ministers will be called before a magistrate following the coffee-cocoa scandal. According to local papers, the Bedie visit in Katiola – in the rebel held zone – was another success. Dailies also reported on the Democratic Party convention in the United States of America.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A prominent story on the front page of this paper said that five Ministers (Economy and Finance - Agriculture - Policy Strategy - National Reconciliation - Animal Resources) will be called before magistrates on Monday. The paper said that President Gbagbo is conducting this audit of the coffee and cocoa industry for good governance purposes. Still on the same topic, L'Inter (an independent daily) quotes Mr. Bouabre, Minister of Policy Strategy, ,as saying that they (the cited Ministers) have hired lawyers for their defense. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) claims to know in a banner headline that the investigation of the Ministers will differ from the previous sessions the Judges have conducted for the heads of the coffe and cacao control and regulation organizations in June. The paper said that Ministers will be questioned either at their office, at their residence, at a hotel or in another private space.

2. Reporting on the Bedie (President of the Democratic Party - PDCI) tour in the rebel held zone, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling party) told readers that the Katiola meeting was a success. For the paper the extraordinary mobilization of the population was a good indication of their support for Bedie and the PDCI.

3. Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition) carried a banner headline saying that the Ivorian Prime Minister, Soro Guillaume, met in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso with Mr. Kone Zakaria, former Commandant of the Zeguela zone (Central-West), who the Prime Minister deposed for insubordination some months ago. The paper reported that Mr. Kone told the Prime Minister of his desire to be reintegrated into the Forces Nouvelles army.

 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

4. L’Intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) released the fourth in a series of "postal cards" sent by its correspondent who is in the US to cover the Democratic Party's convention in Denver. "Obama resurrects President Lincoln and Dr. Martin Luther King" reported the paper. The correspondent notes that the date of August 28, 2008 marks the anniversary of the historic and famous speech (I Have a Dream) Dr. King gave forty years ago, and also comments that Obama is from the same state as President Lincoln. L’Inter (an independent daily) carried a picture of Mrs. Clinton waiving to the Democratic activists, quoting her as saying: "Obama is my candidate; you should vote for Obama". The paper released another story questioning whether the risk of an assassination of Mr. Barak Obama has been cleared. For the paper the Chicago 1968 rally is still vivid in the Democrats’ memories as well as the recent threat of death in Miami. On August 27, the same paper and Soir Info (an independent daily) published reports on arrests related to a possible assassination attempt at the convention.

August 27, 2008

Today’s newspapers in Cote d’Ivoire raised concerns about the presidential elections of November 30, the identification process, and the ex-rebels’ protest. Other stories focused on the death of a New Forces leader, “Wattao”, and a rumor involving 30 billion CFA allegedly in the possession of General Mangou, the Ivorian Military Commander-in-Chief.

 1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A front page story displayed: “The presidential elections of November 30. This is not possible, technically and legally.” 
The daily quoted the president of the Ivorian Labor Party (PIT), Francis Wodie, who declared last Saturday: “There will be no (presidential) elections on November 30,” just like the President of the Movement of the Future Forces (MFA) party, Anaky Kobena. He attributed his declaration to the organizational difficulties and the technical failures of the identification process. Mr. Wodie said that, according to the law, the electoral lists should be posted for verification three months before the election date, that is to say on September 1^st, but this is no longer possible. The article reported that the Prime Minister’s cabinet deputy director said that the identification process could not be operational because only 1,500 kits were received instead of 6,000 kits as promised by SAGEM. Moreover, the 6,000 employees who were supposed to operate the machines to issue the documents were not yet recruited. The article concluded that it is obvious that the elections could not be held as scheduled on November 30.

2.     Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI): The daily headlined an article as follows: “The UN calls on a quick start for the identification process.” The story reported that UN Mission leaders in West Africa saluted the significant progress made in implementing the Ouagadougou Political Agreement (OPA). They appealed for the immediate start of the identification process in view of the presidential elections scheduled for November 30.  They encouraged a quick start of the identification and enrollment process. During a press conference, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Yj Choi, considered that he could “see the light at the end of the tunnel” as far as the electoral process is concerned. He cited advances on funding for the process, the quartering of the ex-combatants, and the delivery of the first set of identification equipment.

3.     Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition): The Paper published a story about the social reinsertion issue of the former New Forces combatants. The dismantled ex-combatants should be reinserted according to a deadline as stated by the Ougadougou Political Agreement. According to the daily, the delay in the crisis settlement and the exile of the ex-combatant leader Kone Zacharia from Seguela to Burkina Faso caused the ex-combatants from his zone to be more and more hopeless.  Therefore, some of them had started fleeing from their regrouping sites to join Abidjan to start a new life, reported the article.      

4.     Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) reported in a front page story: “The ghost of Wattao returned to Abidjan yesterday”.  The story depicted the return of the leader of the New Forces from the United States via Burkina Faso. Rumors about the death of Wattao had spread throughout Cote d’Ivoire. The daily quoted him as saying: “I would like to thank those who announced my death. I will live 60 years more,” he ironically declared.

5. Still on this story, Le Matin d’Abidjan (a daily close to the ruling FPI) reported that in addition to the demonstrations of the dismantled ex-combatants in Bouake, the death of the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the New Forces was announced.  It added that General Wattao returned to Abidjan yesterday afternoon from the United States after a one week stay.  According to the newspaper he said: “I asked permission for one week’s leave. And as a member of the military, I had to come back.”  He announced he would travel to Bouake in the next two days. 

6.     Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party): The daily posted in a front-page story: “Mangou was cited in a scandal of 30 billion.”  The story reported that there are rumors that General Mangou was arrested at the Abidjan International Airport while he was trying to leave the country holding a large amount of money.  This money was supposed to be the bonus for soldiers who struggled at the front during the war. General Mangou denied this accusation saying: “I was not arrested, I did not run away with any soldier’s bonus, sometimes estimated at 11 billion, now 30 billion, and then 100 billion,” he ironically added.

August 26, 2008

The TV broadcast declaration of the Forces Nouvelles following protests by ex-combatants in Bouake (rebel held zone), which resulted in the decision to suspend all large military gatherings in the rebel held zone, and comments about the visit of Mr. Bedie, President of the opposition Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire (PDCI), in Sakassou (near Bouake in the rebel held zone) are the top stories in today’s Ivorian newspapers. The Democratic convention in the United States of America also leads the headlines in some Ivorian newspapers.

1. Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling party) carries a banner a headline revealing that Mr. Ouattara, President of the opposition Republican Rally party (RDR), is planning to overthrow Prime Minister Soro from his position as Secretary General of the Forces Nouvelles. The paper said that Ouattara and Bedie suspect Soro of favoring Gbagbo during the upcoming presidential elections.

2. In the same vain, L’Inter (an independent daily) quotes Forces Nouvelles Chief of Staff, General Bakayoko on the protesting groups, as saying: "It was a conspiracy …" According to the paper, the Forces Nouvelles Staff Head-quarters outwitted a plan that was prepared to cause unrest in major cities under the Forces Nouvelles' control. The paper suggests that the protests by the ex-combatants are not just over money, but are orchestrated to achieve a change in leadership in the Forces Nouvelles.

3. Similarly, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition) concluded that the former combatants' protests in Bouake were part of a conspiracy to control Bouake (Centre), Man (West) and Touba (North-West) (currently held by the Forces Nouvelles).

4. "We did not join the Forces Nouvelles to make money" Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) quotes the Forces Nouvelles Chief of Staff, General Bakayoko, who was commenting on the former Forces Nouvelles combatants’ protests in Bouake. He explained that the Forces Nouvelles began their rebellion to seek improved conditions for the population in northern Cote d'Ivoire.

5. L'Intelligent d'Abidjan (an independent daily) reports on the same story in a full page interview with the Commandant Abou Fama, head of the Prime Minister's private security group. Fama focused on the need to consolidate the peace agreement by uniting the rebel and government forces in the South and North of the country; he indicated that the Forces Nouvelles will not tolerate trouble in their own zone anymore.

6. In a front-page story, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling party) comments positively on the Bedie visit in central Cote d'Ivoire, in Sakassou. The paper quotes Mr. Bedie as saying: "I am here to weepwith you". For the paper the Walebo (people from Sakassou, central Cote d'Ivoire) have been neglected and should turn down the ruling FPI at the upcoming elections.

United States of America

7. L’Intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) releases the second in a series of "postal cards" sent by its correspondent who is in the US to cover the Democratic Party's convention in Denver. The report noted that the atmosphere is very festive and warm, along with the serious business being conducted.

August 25, 2008

The visit of Mr. Bedie, President of the opposition Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire (PDCI), in the Bandaman region (near Bouake in the rebel held zone); and the suspension of the protest of the former combatants of the New Forces (FN) who are demanding $11,000 USD payment for their reinsertion into civilian life are the top stories in today’s Ivorian newspapers. The Democratic convention in the United States of America also leads the headlines in some Ivorian newspapers.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A banner headline said the U.S. Presidential candidate for the Democratic Party is "racing for the gold medal to the White House." The paper also released a photo of Obama introducing Joseph Biden as his vice presidential candidate.

2. A banner headline quotes the President of the opposition PDCI, Mr. Bedie, addressing the population in Brobo (rebel held zone in Central Cote d'Ivoire) as saying that they should not hand their identification papers to anyone. The ruling FPI has recently launched "Operation Inundations" which consists of collecting voters’ birth certificates to help them register for their identification cards so they can register to vote in the upcoming presidential elections.

3. The paper further quotes Mr. Wodie, the President of the opposition PIT (Labor party), as saying: "There will not be elections on November 30." Mr. Wodie complained that Ivorian political leaders are not making any effort to reinforce peace.

4. In L’inter (an independent daily) the opposition PDCI party's President, Mr. Bedie, "attacks" the ruling FPI, saying that it has not succeeded in running the country. A separate article in the paper says that Mr. Obama turned down financial support of $ 847,457 (USD) from the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) for the "Africans for Obama" project.

5. "Myth or reality" questions the L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) in a banner headline. The paper releases a special eight-page report on the Ivorian November elections. The special dossier mainly reviews the feasibility of holding the elections on November 30, concluding that this date is unlikely. It also raises questions about the future of Prime Minister Soro and his rebel movement following the elections.

6. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) claims in a banner headline to know the true story about last week’s protest of the former combatants of the Forces Nouvelles in Bouake. According to the paper, Mr. Ibrahima Coulibaly is the brains of the group, as he is very close to Mr. Diaby, the spokesman of the ex-combatants. The paper refers to a controversial short video shows Mr. Coulibaly with people identified as mercenaries.

7. In a front-page story, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling party) comments positively on the Bedie visit in central Cote d'Ivoire as "extraordinary mobilization," Claiming he drew unexpectedly large crowds.The paper reveals that former combatants of the Forces Nouvelles have suspended their protest in order to support Mr. Bedie's tour in Bouake.

August 22, 2008

The demands of the former combatants of the New Forces (FN) for additional payments of about $11,000 USD each they claim they were promised as part of their reinsertion into civilian life were again the subject of prominent stories in many dailies in Cote d’Ivoire. The electoral process in Cote d’Ivoire; the World Bank’s support for post-conflict projects; and the ongoing anti-corruption campaign are the other top stories in today’s Ivorian newspapers.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A banner headline said that the ex-combatants have created the "Patriotic Movement of the Demobilized of Cote d’Ivoire," as negotiations between the disgruntled soldiers and New Forces military commanders yesterday in Bouake, the stronghold of the former rebel movement, "collapsed." The paper further published an interview with the leader of the Patriotic Movement of the Demobilized of Cote d’Ivoire, who said: "Those who were our bosses yesterday are now calling us bandits." The leader of the new movement added that: "Our objective is to paralyze the entire city of Bouake until our grievances are resolved."

2. In a separate story, the paper quoted Guillaume Soro, the New Forces leader turned Prime Minister, as saying there has been a lot of "disinformation and brainwashing" after the launch of a 1000 micro-projects initiative for the socio-economic reinsertion of ex-combatants and young people at risk. He added: "Nobody can give five million FCFA (about $11,000 USD -- the amount being demanded) to any ex-rebel." According to the paper, the Ivorian Premier was reacting yesterday to the continuing demonstrations by the ex-combatants in Bouake.(NOTE: The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Cote d’Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, launched the 1000 micro-projects initiative for the socio-economic reinsertion of ex-combatants and young people at risk on August 14, 2008, in Bouaké. Mr. Choi reportedly said at the launching ceremony that the four-million-dollar micro-project initiative was indicative of the international community’s support for the strengthening of peace and stability in Cote d’Ivoire.)

3. Reporting on the same issue, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) prominently reported that "the insurgents yesterday closed every access to the central city of Bouake." In another item, the paper insinuated that Ibrahim Coulibaly, a.k.a IB, could be "the brain behind the current violent protests in Bouake." (NOTE: Ibrahim Coulibaly was recently tried and sentenced in absentia by a court in Paris for plotting to overthrow the regime in Cote d’Ivoire.)

4. In a front-page story, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling party) quoted a leading member of this party as saying that the uneasy atmosphere in Bouake does not constitute a threat for Henri Konan Bedie, the leader of the party. Reports say the former Ivorian President is expected to address a rally Sunday (August 24) in Bouake as part of his first tour of central-northern Cote d’Ivoire since the ex-rebellion took control of this region in September, 2002.

5. On the controversy surrounding the date of the upcoming presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire, Fraternite Matin quoted a top official of the New Forces as saying, "The Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) should say whether the date of November 30 set for the polls can be respected or not." The New Forces leader was speaking to reporters after members of the Oversight Committee of the Ouagadougou Agreement met yesterday in Abidjan with members of the CEI "to evaluate the peace process and the preparations for the November 30 presidential elections."

6. In a related development, L’inter (an independent daily) hinted that court officials are threatening to boycott the new program designed to extend voter identification ahead of the forthcoming presidential elections. A statement issued a few days ago by the Justice Minister said that "fifty teams will be deployed from 27 August to 12 September to issue court judgments to establish an individual’s identity in locations that were not taken into account or not sufficiently taken into account during the previous operation."

7. In a bid to support post-conflict projects in Cote d’Ivoire, the World Bank offered 134 vehicles to the sub-prefects, reported Fraternite Matin. Estimated at $5 million USD, the vehicles were presented to the Ivorian Prime Minister during a ceremony in Abidjan yesterday.

8. A story in L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) said that the Resident International Monetary Fund (IMF) Representative, Philippe Egoume Bossogo, exhorted Ivorian authorities to continue their efforts in order to clear some of the country’s debt arrears in order to reschedule its debts to the Paris club of sovereign lenders, and subsequently qualify for the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. The IMF official, who was speaking yesterday in Abidjan, reportedly said that the country’s debts stood at 6.18 trillion CFA francs ($13.97 billion) in April.

9. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) said that the Ivorian government has ordered an audit of some state-owned companies including the Abidjan Port Authority. The exercise, explained the paper, is in connection with the anti-corruption campaign launched by President Laurent Gbagbo in order to ensure good governance as recommended by the IMF as a precondition to qualify for debt relief.

August 20, 2008

A meeting yesterday between the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) and leaders of Ivorian political parties over the electoral process was the subject of front-page stories in many dailies today. Other reports said that guns were missing from a Yamoussoukro garrison. The August 18 violent protest by ex-rebels in the central city of Bouake over pay delays was the other major news item in today’s papers.

1. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition): A prominent story on the front page of this newspaper said that the Independent Electoral Commission tasked with organizing the upcoming general elections in Cote d’Ivoire is in a "total mess." The paper was reporting on a meeting yesterday between the commission and key political leaders. According to the paper, the electoral body was not able to find solutions to difficulties that are likely to hold back the organization of the upcoming presidential elections. Opposition political parties attending the meeting used the opportunity "to accuse the ruling party of encouraging fraud" through its program dubbed Operation Inundation, an informal information campaign organized by the Front Populaire Ivoirian party (FPI) to tell potential voters how to apply for identification documents needed to register to vote. (Note: Other political parties are concerned that this will somehow circumvent the official identification process.)

2. Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling FPI party): A front-page item in this paper said that the FPI-backed "Operation Inundation" was the dominant issue yesterday at the meeting that brought together members of the electoral commission and key Ivorian political parties. According to the paper, the Rally of the Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) – a four-party opposition coalition – and the Ivorian Workers Party (PIT) denounced this operation saying its aim was "to cheat."

3. Another front-page report carried by Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said that yesterday’s meeting offered the ground for a heated debate over issues including the date of the forthcoming Ivorian presidential elections; disarmament of former fighters; and voter registration. In a related development,

Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) announced that the voter registration exercise is set for September, quoting Sokouri Bohui, a leading member of the ruling party. Regarding the date of the polls, Sokouri Bohui said: "We can ask for the delay of the elections," reported a prominent story on the front page of L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily).

4. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): This paper informed readers that potential voters will have to present a birth certificate or a court judgment for their enrolment on the voter registration list. According to the paper, this was announced yesterday by Robert Beugre Mambe, the Chairman of the CEI, during the meeting with leaders of political parties. Commenting on the delay of the electoral process, the paper sounded an alarm bell and pointed a finger at SAGEM, the French group in charge of the identification process, as "responsible for the delays." "SAGEM demanded 66 billion FCFA (about $148 million USD) to organize transparent elections under the supervision of the CEI. In case it fails to live up to the promises, it has to be blamed for it," said the commentary.

5. In another development, Fraternite Matin carried a front-page story saying that guns including AK47 and grenades were missing in a garrison based in the Ivorian political capital, Yamoussoukro. Another prominent story on the same issue in L’inter (an independent daily) said the military hierarchy is "on alert" following the discovery that the guns were missing.

6. In the wake of the revolt of ex-rebels in the central city of Bouake over pay delays, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition) carried a front-page story asking who should pay allowances that the former rebels are entitled to under the disarmament program. In the face of continuous violent protests by the ex-fighters, the paper suggested that Ivorian Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, leader of the New Forces, and the facilitator in the Ivorian peace process, President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso, should work out a solution to the problem.

August 19, 2008

Reports in today’s Ivorian press said that former New Forces combatants went on the rampage yesterday over pay delays. Reports also quoted an Ivorian legal practitioner as saying that the arrests of officials in connection with the investigation into the cocoa and coffee industry in Cote d’Ivoire were a violation of Human Rights. The upcoming presidential elections and the meeting of West African experts in Abidjan on copyright issues were the other major items in the press.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A banner headline that ran across this paper said that the headquarters of the New Forces (former rebel movement) in Bouake was in turmoil yesterday, as angry former combatants looted the office. According to the paper, about 100 ex-fighters took to the street in Bouake to demand the payment of five million FCFA (about $11,000 USD) instead of 90,000 FCFA (about $200 USD). The lower amount is the allowance each of them was given under the official disarmament program, but they claim they were promised the higher amount when they joined the rebellion. The disgruntled soldiers reportedly said that they were abandoned by the very people they fought for. Yesterday’s riot, reported the paper was the fourth one organized by the former combatants over disarmament pay. The paper further reported that calm finally returned to Bouake thanks to the intervention of Cherif Ousmane, the New Forces’ military commander in Bouake, who assured the soldiers that the leadership is working on their "preoccupation."

2. In a related development, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) reported that the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d’Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, was in the northern city of Korhogo on August 16 as part of the 1000 micro-projects initiative of the UN Mission in Cote d’Ivoire for the socio-economic reinsertion of ex-combatants and young people. The paper recalled that the four-million dollar program, which was launched August 14 in Bouake, was indicative of the international community’s support for strengthening peace and stability in Cote d’Ivoire.

3. In a front-page item, Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) suggested that it would be "impossible" to organize presidential elections on November 30 in Cote d’Ivoire. According to the paper, "the identification process, the most important phase of the electoral process, is yet to begin, despite the fact that the first batch of identification and enrollment material...arrived in Abidjan a fortnight ago." The paper went on to question whether the Ouagadougou Political Agreement could help resolve the Ivorian political crisis.

4. L’inter (an independent daily) commented that there would not be any "surprise" if the November 30 presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire were postponed. The paper stated that with only three months to go to polls, it is clearly becoming "impossible" for President Laurent Gbagbo and his Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, to live up to their promises. The paper quoted unnamed diplomatic sources, which are skeptical over the chance for Ivorians to go to the polls on November 30, due to the delay in the peace process.

5. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition): The paper published a statement issued yesterday by the Ministry of Justice announcing the extension of the voter identification deadline. "Fifty teams will be deployed from 27 August to 12 September," said the statement. The statement stressed that the teams, made up of court officials who can issue court judgments to establish an individual’s identity, will be sent to locations "that were not taken into account or not sufficiently taken into account during the previous operation."

6. Regarding the ongoing investigation into the cocoa and coffee industry in Cote d’Ivoire, Fraternite Matin quoted an Abidjan-based lawyer as saying the legal procedure that led to the arrests of some officials "violated human rights" in Cote d’Ivoire.

7. On a separate issue, Fraternite Matin reported that experts from seven West African countries are meeting in Abidjan on copyright issues. The paper quoted participants as saying that copyright is an important tool for development that enables businessmen and artisans to promote their activities.

August 18, 2008

The preparation of the upcoming presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire; the decision by the Ivorian government to allow five cabinet ministers to be heard as witnesses in the cocoa industry case launched in June; the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the African Communication Regulation Authorities Network in Abidjan; and plans by Libya to invest in the petrol industry on the African continent were the major stories in today’s Ivorian press. A separate report will be prepared this week on reporting on the visit August 13-14 of Health and Human Services Secretary Leavitt.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A prominent story on the front page of this paper said that West African electoral commissioners meeting last week in Abidjan adopted an action plan aimed at harmonizing the mechanisms and principles for election management. The two-year plan, reported the paper, seeks, among other things, to introduce information technology into the electoral process; to find ways to secure the process; to reinforce the capacity of key players in the management of elections; and to resolve problems relating to funding of the elections in the region. The paper noted a general statement from the Electoral Commissioner in neighboring Burkina Faso emphasizing that "The electoral commission must be independent from the executive." The paper carried a commentary saying that West African countries must emulate "the models of electoral management put in place both in Benin and Ghana," which, according to the paper, are widely known to be "successful."

2. In a related development, in the weekend edition, Fraternite Matin reported on a meeting between President Laurent Gbagbo and the US Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire, Wanda L. Nesbitt. The paper went on to quote the Ambassador as saying, "We talked about the need to move forward as quickly as possible with the preparations for the elections in order to meet the November 30 deadline."

3. Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party): A front-page story in this daily suggested that the plan to hold the upcoming presidential elections on November 30 "hangs in the balance." The paper also alleged that President Gbagbo, who is aware of this situation, is proposing what it called "a deal" to the Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro. The plan, hinted the paper, seeks among other things, "to enable Gbagbo to save his presidential seat and to increase his [Gbagbo’s] chances of winning the forthcoming polls, which would finally be held in the first semester of 2009."

4. A few days after the Ivorian government announced its intention to allow five cabinet ministers to be heard as witnesses in the cocoa industry case, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) carried a banner headline announcing that three ministers are likely to end up in jail, because of their "leading role" in the cocoa and coffee industry. However, the daily was not able to clearly name the three ministers it referred to in the story.

5. Still on the hearing of the government officials in connection with the investigation into the cocoa and coffee industry in Cote d’Ivoire, Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) suggested that the main target of the government’s decision could be the Minister of Agriculture, Amadou Gon Coulibaly, who is also the campaign director of the opposition figure, Alassane Dramane Ouattara, for the coming presidential elections. The paper went on to call the government decision "a strategy designed to destabilize Ouattara and his RDR party."

6. A front-page story in Fraternite Matin said that media gurus from around the world are set for a week-long conference in Abidjan to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the African Communication Regulation Authorities Network. The meeting will focus on the topic: "Regulation, Democracy and Good Governance," and will bring together 150 delegates from 31 countries.

7. Another story in Fraternite Matin said that African nationals living in the United States met over the weekend in New York "to work on a common economic ideal." The idea, reported the paper, was to set up an African Chamber of Commerce in the United States in order "to rebuild a new Africa."

8. Still on economic issues, Fraternite Matin reported that Libya Oil Holding, a Libyan gas cartel, is to extend its activities throughout Africa, including Cote d’Ivoire.

August 6, 2008

The Ivorian press today headlined the National Independence Day, the government reshuffle, the toxic waste scandal, the upcoming elections, the identification process, and the “crisis” of the Ivorian health care system.

1.   Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) displayed in a front page story: “Toxic waste: the persons charged will be arrested.”  During a meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur who conducted a 4 day mission to assess the effects of toxic waste, the public prosecutor declared that the people responsible for the toxic waste will be brought to trial, but without specifying any date.  L’intelligent d’Abidjan (a privately-owned daily) published a similar article.

2. Fraternite Matin reported on the 48^th anniversary of Cote d’Ivoire independence to be celebrated at the Presidency.  An article provided a text from the Ivorian President providing a timeline of the country’s political history underlining the different agreements relating to the peace process in which the country is currently engaged.

3.   Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI): The paper in a front page story highlighted difficulties in the census officers’ recruitment process which might affect the electoral process due to a disagreement between the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) and the National Identification Office (ONI). Both institutions claim to be the designated institution for the recruitment. The paper concluded that this might cause a problem for the electoral process.

4.   Notre Voie also published an article revealing that the National Program for the Reinsertion and Rehabilitation of Ex-Combatants (PNRRC) needed 44 billion CFA to provide find work for the ex-combatants. 

5.   Coming to the Ivorian presidential elections of 2008, the same paper reported that General Philippe Mangou from the National Armed Forces (FANCI) and Colonel Soumaila Bakayoko from the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN) met to discuss the security of the elections planned for November 30, 2008. “The election security plan is not totally completed, but we are working hard to finalize it (…). General Mangou and Bakayoko recommended that we include some officers from impartial forces (N.B. such as ONUCI) to help finalize the project,” declared the Commander of the Integrated Commandment Center (CCI) in charge of designing the election security plan. 

6.   L’inter (a privately-owned daily): This paper published an article saying that Blaise Compaore, the Burkina Faso President gave his consent to Laurent Gbagbo, the Ivorian president, regarding the government reshuffle. According to the article, President Compaore added that it was up to Gbagbo and Soro, the Ivorian Prime Minister, to find the right way to get approval from the other signatories to the various peace agreements.

7. In a separate article, the same newspaper published a story regarding the demobilization of the ex-combatants in the West of the country.  Since July 29, 2008, a team from the National Program for the Reinsertion and Rehabilitation of Ex-Combatants (PNRRC) traveling through the region registered 41,000 ex-combatants within the framework of the Demobilization process.

8.   Soir Info (a privately-owned daily): According to this daily, the political party leaders, Konan Bedie from the former ruling party (PDCI), Alassane Ouattara from RDR, Anaky Kobena from MFA, and Mabri Toikeusse from UDPCI could not agree about the upcoming elections planned for November 30.   (N.B.  These parties are all derived from the former unique party PDCI-RDA.)  They also questioned the transparency of the anticipated distribution of ministries if the government were to be reshuffled.  

9.   Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) published a two page article about the 48^th anniversary of Cote d’Ivoire depicting the situation of the country from when it gained independence in 1960 to the present. The article outlined the evolution of the Republic through these points: “from miracle to debacle,” “Outtara’s years of hope,” and “the disillusionment with Gbabgo.”

10.  L’intelligent d’Abidjan (a privately-owned daily) reported on the resurgence of the epidemics of yellow fever and rabies, as well as a lack of blood stores, thus focusing on weaknesses in the Ivorian health care system. The paper added that the epidemics were due to a lack of vaccines.

Media Coverage of Embassy Activities

1.   Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): The paper reported positively on the visit of US Ambassador Wanda Nesbitt to the botanical garden of Bingerville. The event was organized by the International Visitor Leadership Program Alumni Association (AIVI-USA), which had previously helped to plant 50 trees at the garden representing the 50 states of the United States.  The report focused on the importance of protecting the environment and noted the involvement of several neighborhood youth organizations in the upkeep of the botanical garden. The story was also featured on national television (TV2).     

August 5, 2008

Today’s Ivorian press highlighted concerns about the cabinet reshuffle, the organization of the upcoming presidential elections, the fight against fraud at the National Administration School, the café-cacao industry case, and the continuing effects of toxic waste        on people. 

1.   Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): In a three page interview conducted by the main state-owned newspaper with the chief of the European Union (EU) delegation, Michel Arion unveiled that the EU has never suspended its assistance to Cote d’Ivoire despite the military political crisis.  Among the issues raised, he focused on the funding of the forthcoming elections saying that 90% of the required funds (3, 5 billions CFA) have already been disbursed.

2.   According to Fraternite Matin, the Minister of Employment, Hubert Oulaye, declared that 346 candidates who took the examination to enter the elite National Administration School (ENA) were disqualified for cheating. (Graduates of this school are generally offered good jobs with the government.)  The 465 candidates who qualified to take the examination were strictly monitored while taking the tests. To reassure the Ivorian population about the transparency of the examinations, the Minister went with a delegation to observe the examination while it was underway.  The same story was reported in Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI).

3.   In a separate article, the paper reported that, during a meeting with the RHDP (Rassemblement des Houphouetists) party, the Prime Minister confirmed that in spite of some difficulties, the elections scheduled for November 30, 2008 could still be held at that time. 

4.   Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party): The newspaper reported that the Ivorian President’s Economic Counselor was interviwed by the FBI on the issue of the coffee and cocoa industry. The FBI conducted an investigation on the purchase of Fulton, a cocoa industry in New York, by a former Technical Advisor to the President and an Ivorian Businessman.

5.   Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party): This newspaper pointed out that the Prime Minister rejected the cabinet reshuffle proposal during a meeting with the RHDP party (an opposition group close to the former PDCI ruling party): “The Ouaga agreement did not mention any proposal regarding a cabinet reshuffle,” he stated. Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) also reported the same news.

6.   “The identification process is on the way,” reported the same daily in a separate article. According to the newspaper, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, during a meeting with Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, declared that the material for the identification process will be delivered to SAGEM through air transportation in a few days. He added that an awareness-raising campaign for identification will be launched soon. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (a privately-owned daily) also published a similar article.

7.   Le Nouveau Reveil reported as well on the continuing effects of toxic waste on the population.  It stated that the UN Special Rapporteur was conducting a mission from 5 to 8 August, 2008 to assess the side effects of the toxic waste dumped by the ship “Probo Koala” on August 6, 2006 in Abidjan. He held a meeting with NGOs to explain the consequences of the waste for the population, health and environment.  According to the newspaper, the NGOs said they relied on the UN to press the Ivorian government to indemnify the victims.

8.   Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) reported that the employees from Vridi neighborhood companies decided to conduct a 3 day demonstration to protest against the Ivorian authorities’ indifference regarding the victims of the toxic waste, after two of them died recently. Soir Info (a privately-owned daily) reported on the same issue.

August 4, 2008

The Ivorian newspapers today focused on the following stories: the upcoming presidential elections, the investigations into the coffee and cocoa industry, the major political parties’ preparing for their campaigns, and the strike by town hall employees.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): In a front page story, the newspaper highlighted that two experts have been appointed to carry out investigations into the Ivory Coast’s Coffee and Cocoa industry. In fact, 23 figures from this industry have been arrested, charged with embezzlement of funds and fraud.

2. On the upcoming presidential elections, the daily stated that the ONUCI’s Force Commander, General Amoussou, reassured Burkina Faso President Compaore that he will achieve his mission relating to the security of the elections.  The paper noted that on July 29, the United Nations Security Council extended to January 2009 the mandate of the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire and of the French forces which support it.

3. Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party): This newspaper stated in its front page ”Ouattara is launching his winning machine.” During a meeting of the steering committee of the party’s presidential campaign, the director declared: “We are ready to win for you.” 

4. The newspaper reported that city hall employees were going on strike beginning August 1, demanding full civil servant status. According to the Newspaper, the national Secretary reported that they will not give up until they are satisfied.

5. Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling party). “The FBI is involved” is a headline on the daily’s front page, talking about the investigation into the Ivorian Coffee and Cocoa industry.  The story revealed that New York Senator Charles Ellis confirmed an FBI collaboration with Ivorian experts to conduct the investigations.

6. On another subject, according to the newspaper, the Independent Electoral Commission met with a delegation of the European Union led by Michel Arion to discuss the procedures for election observation. The Commission provided an explanation about how it operates and declared that about 22,000 places to vote will be set up nationwide and outside the country. Concerning the identification process (“audiences forraines”),the head of the Independent Electoral Commission promised to publish two texts setting up the registration dates and the list of census officials by next week.

August 1, 2008

Reports in today’s Ivorian newspapers said that the Defense Minister is calling for a speedy reunification of the Ivorian national army. The preparation of the upcoming presidential elections; the visit of a European Union observers’ delegation and the mood within the major political parties ahead of the November 30 election were also subjects of front-page stories in the newspapers.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): In a front-page story, the paper quoted Ivorian Defense Minister Michel Amani N’Guessan as saying that the creation of a new national army cannot be cited as a precondition for the reunification of the Cote d’Ivoire Armed Forces and the New Forces Armed Forces. The Defense Minister was speaking yesterday when 103 new graduates of the National Military Academy took the oath during a ceremony attended by President Laurent Gbagbo and the visiting Burkinabe Head of State Blaise Compaore. The Defense Minister, reported the paper, also used the occasion to call for reform in military training in Cote d’Ivoire. He further said that the cooperation between the National Military Academy and France must resume, even if this cooperation needs to undergo "some reforms," said the paper, which quoted the minister as saying: "We need a strong army to protect our developing economies."

2. As preparations are underway for the upcoming presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire, Fraternite Matin reported that a high-powered delegation from the European Union is currently visiting the country. According to the paper, the week-long fact-finding mission on election observation met with the Independent Electoral Commission. The paper quoted the Head of the European Union in Cote d’Ivoire as saying that the visiting delegation has a mandate "to evaluate the efficiency and the feasibility of electoral observation during the presidential elections."

3. In a related development, Fraternite Matin reported that the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) is to airlift electoral materials from Belgium to Cote d’Ivoire in a bid to speed the identification of voters in the run-up to the November 30 presidential elections.

4. Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party): The paper published the full document of a United Nations Security Council Resolution suggesting that the world body is coming out with a plan to ensure security and to certify the elections.

5. Still on the upcoming elections, a prominent story in Fraternite Matin said that the ruling FPI party will nominate its flagbearer during a congress due to be held in October. While the ruling party is preparing its congress, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling party) speculated that President Gbagbo and his wife may use the October congress to make what the paper called "a small revolution" within the leadership of the FPI party. The paper hinted that the current Chairman of the party, Pascal Affi N’Guessan could loose his position in favor of Michel Amani N’Guessan, the Defense Minister in the current transitional government. The paper further revealed that the relation between Pascal Affi N’Guessan and President Gbagbo is strained after one of the party chairman’s protégés was arrested and jailed as part of the ongoing anti-corruption campaign.

 

Media Coverage of Embassy Activities

 

The state-owned television (TV2) yesterday broadcast footage of the PEPFAR photo exhibition on HIV/AIDS organized by the U.S. Embassy. The excellent story gave a good general description of the event and played a strong statement from an interview with the outgoing PEPFAR Country Coordinator, Jyoti Schlesinger, as well as comments from a local partner. The TV show also included a shot of the Ambassador noting the high percentage of Ivorians who have not been tested. The program then segued into a second piece on AIDS featuring an event with Manchester United soccer players and kids in South Africa, reinforcing the overall message.