National Daily Press Review Archive

August 30, 2006

1.   The Gabonese president’s proposition to end Ivoirian crisis and President Gbagbo’s declaration over issuance of nationality certificates lead much of Wednesday’s Ivoirian press.

2. Le Nouveau Reveil, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition PDCI party carries the banner headline: “A two-year transition.” The paper quotes Gabonese President as proposing that for two years, Mr. Gbagbo will remain President; opposition leader Mr. Ouattara to be Vice President; Mr. Soro (New Forces opposition leader) will be Prime Minister and opposition leader Mr. Bedie to be the President of the Constitutive Assembly. In order for that to take place, President Bongo recommends that there be a suspension of the Ivoirian Constitution.  

3. Le Patriote, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition RDR party carries the banner headline: “Bongo reveals his plan B.” The paper quotes President Bongo as saying that after a meeting with President Chirac, he decided that a two-year cohabitation is necessary by the four major Ivoirian political leaders. For President Bongo, this cohabitation will reduce the level of defiance and suspicion between them.

4. L’Intelligent d’Abidja, a privately-owned and independent daily, headlines with President Bongo’s power-sharing proposal. They report that he suggested a two-year power-sharing government between all the Ivorian protagonists, meanwhile President Laurent Gbagbo would remain in power until elections are held. The paper also reports that Ambassador Aubrey Hooks will announce that eighteen Ivoirian villages have been selected to be the beneficiaries of development grants offered by the Embassy’s Self Help Fund.

5. Addressing the population of the East during his visit in the Sanwi kingdom (South East), President Gbagbo is quoted by the Le Temps, a privately-owned daily close to the ruling FPI party, as saying: “The guide for the public hearing exercises will scrupulously applied.” The Prime Minister recently proposed a guide to be used for the public hearing exercises for identification. The guide has been rejected by the opposition.

6. Nord-Sud, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition carries a story questioning: “What can Mr. Banny do now?” The paper announces a meeting of the four major political leaders on September 4 in Yamoussoukro.

7. Le Front, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition New Forces carries a headline suggesting that the ruling FPI party is distributing arms to its activists for use after October 31st.

August 29, 2006

1. News of the Prime Minister’s meeting with the four major Ivoirian political leaders and French President Jacques Chirac’s declaration on the Ivoirian crisis lead much of Tuesday’s Ivoirian press.

2. Le Patriote, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition RDR party carries the banner headline: “Chirac disavows Gbagbo.” The paper quotes President Chirac as saying at the 14th Ambassadors’ Conference in Paris that the total resolution of the conflict in Côte d’Ivoire will come along with elections that are honest and open to all candidates and based on updated electoral listings.

3. Le Nouveau Reveil, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition PDCI headlines: “Chirac crucifies Gbagbo.” The paper believes that President Chirac’s request for new electoral listings for October elections has put Mr. Gbagbo in a difficult situation as he had planned on relying on the 2000 electoral listings.

4. L’Evénement, a privately-owned daily close to Prime Minister Banny reports that the former Prime Minister, now serving as the president of the ruling FPI, Mr. Affi N’Guessan, is about to create his own political party. The paper says, the president of the ruling FPI has been frustrated recently, leading him to want to quit the party.

5. Le Front, a privately-owned daily close to the Forces Nouvelles (FN) reveals that mercenaries are gathering in the military camps in order to help maintain President Gbagbo in power after October, 2006.

6. 24 Heures, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition RDR headlines that Prime Minister Banny will assemble a meeting of the four major political leaders on Monday September 4. The objective of the meeting is to boost inter-Ivoirian dialogue and will include the French Minister of Cooperation : Mrs. Brigitte Girardin.

7. L’Inter, a privately-owned and independent daily, quotes in a banner headline, Mr. Ernest Tomo, Deputy Director of the Gabonese Presidential Office as revealing that there will be chaos in Côte d’Ivoire if Gbagbo is not kept in office after October, 2006.

 

8. Le Matin d’Abidjan, a privately-owned daily close to President Gbagbo, reports that General Poncet, the former commander of the French troops in Côte d’Ivoire will be sued in case dealing with the killing of Ivoirians by French forces, in front the Hotel Ivoire in Abidjan in November, 2004.

August 18, 2006

1. The national tribute to late General Guéi and the results of the Daoukro meeting of the leaders of the opposition coalition of the G7 lead much of Friday’s Ivoirian press.

2. Le Patriote, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition RDR carries a banner headline questioning who assassinated General Guéi. The paper says that although the Nation is paying tribute to the late general, the question of who assassinated him is still not clear.

3. Le Jour, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition RDR party headlines with a front page story quoting a Catholic parish priest stating: "It is RFI which sent General Guei to his death." The story states that RFI was the first radio which announced Guei’s presence at the cathedral. This news led gunmen to the church to find him.

4. L’Inter, a privately-owned and independent daily carries a banner headline quoting the priest who witnessed Guéi’s kidnapping. The priest stated that after hearing RFI broadcast announcing Guéi’s presence at the cathedral, he ran out and saw heavily armed men taking Guéi away. The paper also reports that the US Embassy is assisting Côte d’Ivoire in the fight against malaria. 18 million mosquito nets have been distributed by the United States throughout Africa.

5. 24 Heures, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition headlines that the Daoukro meeting of the opposition G7 coalition came out with thirteen resolutions on the crisis. The meeting concluded that President Gbagbo is only person responsible for blocking the peace process. Consequently, they don’t want to see any extension of his mandate after October 2006.

6. Notre Voie, a privately-owned daily close to the ruling FPI party reports that a FPI mission to the Northern rebel-held zone for the public hearings was turned away by rebels.

7. Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a privately-owned daily close to Laurent Gbagbo reveals that an interview with President Gbagbo broadcasted on the private Cameroonian television station, Canal 2 quotes him as saying: "I have means to mate the rebels."

8. Fraternité Matin, a state-owned daily noted for publishing balanced reports, states that the national tribute to Guéi was a sober affair. Differing positions between the son of the General, Franck Guéi, and the village of Kabakouma has however left a cloud over the ceremony.

August 17, 2006

1. The Daoukro meeting of the opposition coalition leaders of the so-called G7 and the risk of rise in tensions over late General Guéi’s funeral lead much of Thursday’s Ivoirian press.

2. Soir Info, a privately-owned and independent daily questions in a banner headline whether Prime Minister Banny will withdraw his public hearings guide. The paper’s story wonders whether Mr. Banny will back down after the reaction against his guide.

3. L’Inter, a privately-owned and independent daily carries a banner headline revealing that "Bédié, Ouattara, Anaky and Soro are preparing a coup in Daoukro." The opposition coalition called the G7 is meeting in Daoukro to develop their opposition to the presidential position over the public hearings and issuance of the nationality certificates. The paper also quotes Mr. Wodié, leader of the opposition Labor party as categorically stating: "elections won’t take place in October 2006." For Mr. Wodié, there is not enough time to have the elections and more importantly there is not real conviction on the part the players in the Ivoirian crisis to end the conflict.

4. Nord-Sud, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition claims to know what the New Forces have decided during their meeting in Bouaké. The paper reports that the New Forces strongly rejected the guide to public hearings distributed by the Prime Minister’s office. Also reported in the paper is the prediction by the Labor party’s leader that there will be a transition without Mr. Gbagbo as the Head of State.

5. DNA, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition carries a banner headline stating that the opposition coalition RHDP has decreed the end of the recreation period for Gbagbo. This decision was reportedly taken by the RHDP, ahead of the Daoukro meeting.

6. 24 Heures, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition RDR party reveals that Army Chief of Staff, General Philippe Mangou is under pressure from within his own ranks. The reason, reports the paper, is that soldiers in line to be promoted to a superior grade want to be promoted at the same rate as the New Forces.

7. "Kabakouma boycotts the ceremony" reads a banner headline in Fraternité Matin, a state-owned daily noted for publishing balanced reports. A national ceremony is underway today at the late General Guéi’s residence. Because of differing positions between the son of the general, Franck Guéi, and the village of Kabakouma on whether to bury Mr. Guéi in Abidjan or Kabakouma, the political party UDPCI close to late Guéi called for a boycott of the ceremony.

August 16, 2006

1. Uncertainty over the funeral of the late General Guéi and the warning launched by the opposition coalition to the Prime Minister about the conduct of public hearings occupy much of Wednesday’s Ivoirian press.

2. DNA, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition carries a banner headline stating that the opposition coalition has threatened Prime Minister Banny on the issuance of the nationality certificates. For the paper, the presidential decree that suspends the identification process is illegal. Consequently the opposition spokesperson Djédjé Mady called on Prime Minister Banny to change the President’s decrees, otherwise the coming days will be troublesome.

3. Le Nouveau Reveil, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition PDCI announces a crisis meeting of the opposition coalition G7 leaders (Bédié, Ouattara, Mabri, Anaky and Soro) that will take place tomorrow in Daoukro, Central Côte d’Ivoire.

4. Fraternité Matin, the state-owned daily noted for publishing balanced reports, headlines that the opposition coalition RHDP has presented Mr. Banny with an ultimatum. The coalition RHDP reproaches the Prime Minister Banny for validating the decisions made by President Gbagbo during his address on August 6.

5. L’Inter, a privately-owned and independent daily reports in a banner headline that the medical personnel of the CHU Cocody (biggest public hospital) has refused to provide medical assistance to patients because of a 72 hour-strike. The paper also reports that there are signs of conflict in Western Côte d’Ivoire over land issues. L’Inter reports that there will be 2 funerals for late General Guéi, one in Abidjan and another one in his village of Kabakouma.

6. After the publication of the guide to public hearings, the rebel block announced its problems with the content of the guide and accuses the Prime Minister of tampering with agreements they have made, according to Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a privately-owned daily close to President Gbagbo.

7. Le Jour, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition, reveals that serious issues are related to the divergent positions on the conduct of General Guéi’s funeral are threatening the peace process.

8. Notre Voie, a privately-owned daily close to the ruling FPI quotes the President of the South African Parliament as saying : "Gbagbo works toward peace." The Honorable Baleka M’Bete, made the statement as she was meeting with President Gbagbo in the Presidential Palace in Abidjan.

August 14, 2006

1. Reaction to the presidential decree on the appointment of new prosecuting attorneys to supervise the public hearings leads much of Monday’s Ivoirian press.

2. Nord-Sud, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition Forces Nouvelles (FN) carries a banner headline saying that some judges are opposed to Gbagbo’s action. For them, President Gbabgo’s decree appointing new judges to supervise the Public Hearings Exercise is a violation of the Ivoirian Consitution. 

 3. Le Front, a privately-owned daily close to the Forces Nouvelles (FN), accusses President Gbagbo of violating the Ivoirian Constitution by making a “unilateral” decision. The presidential decree nominating judges “is an illegal act,” says the paper. The daily also reports that the United States has raised the budget for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in Cote d’Ivoire to 23 billion CFA for 2006.

4. Fraternité Matin, the state-owned daily noted for publishing balanced reports claims to know the real reason behind the presidential decree appointing new judges. The paper reports President Gbabgo said that these appointments will reduce massive fraud, which the opposition is preparing to engage in during the identification process.

5. Le Jour, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition, predicts there will be military action before August 18th, resulting from the conflict between the family of the late Robert Guéi’s and the population of his village. While the family would like to bury him in Abidjan the village wants to see their native son rest in his village of Kabakouma.

6. L’Intelligent d’Abidjan, a privately-owned and independent daily claims to reveal the secret agenda of Mr. Guillaume Soro. The paper reports that Soro is vying to take over the position of Prime Minister after October 30th.

7. Le Temps, a privately-owned daily close to President Gbagbo, runs a front page headline that quotes the First Lady as stating, “we risk being foreigners in our own country,” as a result of the identification process. Mrs. Gbagbo was addressing population in Soubré, in Western Côte d’Ivoire.

8. Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a paper noted for its support of President Gbagbo, reports on the front page that the Angolan ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire, Belli Bello, passed away in a South African hospital over the weekend.

August 11, 2006

1. Friday’s Ivoirian news is dominated by the Prime Minister’s luncheon with print press leaders.

2. L’Inter, a privately-owned and independent daily, quotes Prime Minister Banny in a banner headline as stating: “Nationality certificates issued will be delivered.” The paper also publishes a large story revealing that the American government, supporting the fight against AIDS in Côte d’Ivoire, has increased the PEPFAR budget to 85 billion CFA for fiscal year 2007.

3. “Soro crumples Banny’s guide” reads a banner headline carried by the Le Patriote, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition Rally of Republicans (RDR). The paper quotes opposition leader Guillaume Soro as stating that the public hearing guide will not be used in the ex-rebel-held zone.

4. 24 Heures, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition RDR, quotes Prime Minister Banny as saying: “Each Ivoirian will be issued an identity card” during a luncheon he had with print press heads.

5. Le Temps, a privately-owned daily close to President Gbagbo, carries a headline accusing Mr. Guillaume Soro of boycotting governmental activities. The paper cites his absences at the Independence Day celebration ceremony and at Thursday’s cabinet meeting.

6. Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a privately-owned daily, quotes Mr. Banny in a front-page article as stating that the disarmament will be completed before the elections.

7. Le Matin d’Abidjan, a privately-owned daily, claims to know the real reason for the fire at the Liberian Executive Mansion. For the paper, it was an action meant to assassinate the three presidents (Gbagbo, Kufuor and Sirleaf) planned by former President Taylor’s men, who were assisted by French mercenaries.

August 09, 2006

1. The news in Wednesday’s Ivoirian press is led by Mr. Guillaume Soro’s reaction to Sunday’s address to the Nation by President Gbagbo.

2. Le Front, a privately-owned daily close to the New Forces carries a banner headlines quoting Mr. Soro as stating, “the recreation is over.” Consequently, the military branch of the New Forces will suspend their participation in the joint army negotiations.

3. L’Inter, a privately-owned and independent daily, reports that Mr. Soro is terribly angry and has drawn his troops back from the disarmament process after the President addressed the nation on Independence Day. Mr. Soro is reported as saying, “from now on, Prime Minister Banny is our only discussion partner.”

4. “Soro quits the peace train” headlines L’Intelligent d’Abidjan, a privately-owned and independent daily. Mr. Soro disagrees with the content of the address of August 6th by President Gbagbo.

5. Fraternité Matin, the state-owned daily noted for publishing balanced reports quotes Mr. Alpha Oumar Konaré, the African Union Chairman as expressing his belief that, “elections are the only ways to power.” Mr. Konaré met with Prime Minister Banny and President Gbagbo to discuss peace process in Côte d’Ivoire. The paper also reports that the U.S. Government will add tens of billions of CFA in the coming two years to assist Côte d’Ivoire in the fight against the HIV/AIDS.

6. Notre Voie, a privately-owned daily close to the ruling FPI, declares in a banner headline, “Soro is afraid of peace.” The paper publishes the Prime Minister’s guide to identification process, which it says has been rejected by the New Forces.

7. Le Temps, a privately-owned daily close to President Gbagbo reports that Mr. Soro is angry with Prime Minister Banny. The paper also quotes Mr. Konaré as stating that the Ivoirian crisis will be handled by Ivoirians, not by anybody else.

8. Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a privately-owned daily comments on the newly published autobiographic book by Charles Blé Goudé, leader of Young Patriots. The paper quotes the author as stating, “Every Ivoirian has suffered from injustice, but this has not encouraged Ivoirians to take up arms.”

August 08, 2006

1. The presidential address to the nation on the eve of the Independence Day celebration is the major news in Tuesday’s Ivoirian press. 

2. Talking about the identification process, Fraternité Matin, the state-owned daily noted for publishing balanced reports carries a banner headline stating: “Gbagbo clarifies everything.” The paper says Mr. Gbagbo answered concerns about the identification process and the future elections in October.

3. L’Inter, a privately-owned and independent daily, quotes President as saying : “I remain President until there are new elections.” As a reaction to the President’s speech, the opposition New Forces called it, “a provocation.”

4. Soir Info, a privately-owned and independent daily, carries a quote by the President indicating that the nationality certificates delivered during the identification process in the New Forces zones will be nullified. For the paper quotes these certificates were issued by non-authorized individuals people.

5. L’Intelligent d’Abidjan, a privately-owned daily, carries a banner headline stating : “Soro is very angry.” The paper reports that the leader of the New Forces rejected the decision of President Gbagbo to annul the nationality certificates delivered since the start of the identification process. For Mr. Soro, the President has no power to take this action. The paper also reports rumors of a planned coup by the former Army Chief of Staff, General Mathias Doué.

6. Le Patriote, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition RDR party, reads the presidential speech as an attempt to stage a coup. For the paper, by announcing his plan to hold on to power after October 2006, President Gbagbo is weakening national cohesion. The paper announces that Mr. Ouattara has returned after a month-long European tour.

7. Le Nouveau Reveil, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition PDCI party, headlines that Mr. Gbagbo has spoiled his last independence presidential address. For the paper, the content of the speech is dramatically different than UN resolution 1633 and poses a threat to the identification process.

8. Le Front, a privately-owned daily, quotes in a banner headline Mr. Dacoury-Tabley of the New Forces (FN) as stating that, “the New Forces will energetically react to what the President Gbagbo has said in his presidential address.” For him, only Prime Minister Banny has the authority to suspend the identification process. “I adopt your district as the fifty first state of the United States of America and we will assist you in the development of the City of Koumassi,” the paper quotes U.S. Ambassador Aubrey Hooks as saying during the inauguration of a market in Koumassi.

August 04, 2006

1. The disarmament of militia groups in the West of Côte d’Ivoire and the ongoing disagreements over the identification process are the major news in Friday’s Ivoirian press. 

2. A front-page story that runs across the privately-owned daily, Le Temps says, “At long last the identification process is to start from ground zero.” Quoting what it calls “the presidential decree on the new configuration of birth registration in Côte d’Ivoire,” Le Temps, noted for its support for President Laurent Gbagbo, says, “The birth registration as well as the issuance of Ivoirian birth certificate will, from now on, include the nationality certificates of both the father and the mother of the applicant and, if need be, the nationality certificate of the applicant.”

3. The daily suggests that “this marks a big victory of reason,” adding that, “This decree comes at the right time when thousands of foreigners imported from neighboring countries are trying to fraudulently acquire Ivoirian nationality.” The paper continues: “This puts an end to false declarations and witnesses that have, for some time now, become the means of survival of certain unscrupulous Ivoirians.” To conclude, the paper says, “Through this decree, Gbagbo does not show either his fondness for xenophobia, nor exclusion of individuals, as some think it is, rather it proves to national observers that his country has a strong civil administration capable of facing any challenges…”  

4. Reports from Western Côte d’Ivoire say, “The disarmament of the militia groups in this region is going on amidst crisis.” According to the state-owned daily Fraternité Matin, “Until yesterday, 931 ex-combatants, including 48 women out of the 2,000 ex-militias concerned by the operation, have effectively deposed their arms.” The paper, noted for its balanced reports, says, “Though the disarmament is going smoothly, about 8,000 have voiced their indignation at the fact that their names are not on the list of the militias to be disarmed.” On the identification process, the paper reports that, “The Central Committee of the ruling FPI party met yesterday and decided to lift its boycott campaign of the program.”

5. According to Nord-Sud Quotidien, a daily close to the opposition RDR party, “the arms that have been handed over by the militias in the West of Côte d’Ivoire have disappeared…Out of 930 ex-combatants who were dismantled, only 89 handed over arms.”

6. L’événement, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition, reports that, “930 militias have received their allowances.” According to the paper, “The former combatants who deposed their arms were paid FCFA 125,000 out the total F CFA 499,500 they will be paid as part of the reinsertion program.” While the Western militia leader, Denis Maho Glofiéi said, “I will be the last to disarm,” the coordinator of the disarmament program, General Gaston Ouasséna Koné declared: “In any war-torn country, there is never a hundred percent disarmament.”       

7. “Banny sends FPI hardliners to the stronghold of the rebellion,” says a front-page story carried by L’inter, a privately-owned daily, as the Ivoirian parliamentarians are set to carry the peace message throughout the country as part of a nationwide peace and reconciliation campaign due to start on August 8th, 2006. According to the paper, “the campaign will take the Speaker of the National Assembly, Mamadou Koulibaly to Bouaké.”

8. Still on the peace and reconciliation campaign, the privately-owned daily, Le Courrier d’Abidjan, announces that, “The Speaker is taking the ‘good news’ to his family in the North.” The paper, noted for its support for President Gbagbo suggests that, “Mr. Koulibaly, who is known for his outspokenness, will no doubt, use the opportunity to tell different stories to his compatriots.”

9. Notre Voie, a daily owned by the ruling FPI party runs an exclusive story saying that, “Mrs. Enise Kanaté, a mayor who has been elected on the ticket of the opposition RDR has crossed the carpet to join the FPI party.”

August 03, 2006

1. Today’s Ivoirian press is dominated by reactions from the New Forces to President Gbagbo’s decision not to recognize their promotions.

2. Le Patriote, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition RDR, carries a headline entitled: "Our boss is Soro… He’s the only one who can downgrade us." According to the paper, the New Forces were reacting to President Gbagbo’s statement not to accept the promotion of the ex-combatants. Speaking to the paper, New Forces Army Commander, Ouattara Issiaka Wattao said: "The question of our promotions is the responsibility of the government."

3. Meanwhile, the state-owned daily Fraternité Matin reports that another New Forces Army Commander, Fofié Kouakou [who has been sanctioned by the UN for human rights violations] says he will work under the authority of the Deputy Prefect of Korhogo, Cyrille Diomandé, who returned to his post. "Call us at any time so that the mission succeeds."

4. In a front-page story, 24 Heures a privately-owned says during, "yesterday’s stormy Council of Ministers meeting", President Gbagbo expressed his intention "to cancel the national identity certificates that were issued during the recent identification process." To justify his plan to invalidate the documents, explains the paper, "President Gbagbo cited the law of the land."

5. "No more national certificates," says a banner headline that runs across Notre Voie. According to the daily owned by the ruling FPI party, "The Council of Ministers during their meeting yesterday decided to stop the issuance of the nationality documents during the identification process…From now on, Ivoirians who appear before the local hearing will be issued only a provisional identity documents."

6. According to the privately-owned daily L’intelligent d’Abidjan, the Council of Ministers welcome the decision by pro-government and opposition militants to stop the violence over the identification process.

7. "President Gbagbo and the Prime Minister, Charles Konan Banny are to receive leaders of youth movements today," says a front-page story carried by the daily Le Nouveau Réveil, close to the ex-ruling party.

8. According to Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a privately-owned daily close to President Gbagbo, "the peace process is under threat as the rally of the Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace has decided to create its own militia groups."

August 02, 2006

1. Debates on the identification process and the recurrent question of the integration of the New Forces’ into the national army are the major issues in the Ivoirian press today.

2. Addressing a rally organized by the Women Patriots [a pro-government movement] yesterday, the Ivoirian President Laurent Gbagbo said: "I will never accept these promotions." President Gbagbo, who was quoted by the state-owned daily Fraternité Matin, was referring to "the promotions bestowed on the former combatants by the New Forces’ leader Guillaume Soro," indicates the paper. The paper noted for its balanced reports, also quotes President Gbagbo as saying, "Out of 18,000 soldiers in the national army, only 437 have joined the rebellion." Meanwhile, news from Bouaké, the New Forces stronghold in Northern Côte d’Ivoire, says, "The prefects and their deputies who returned to their posts received warm welcomes."

3. "Gbagbo says no to the rebels’ promotions," says a banner headline that runs across Notre Voie, the daily owned by the ruling FPI party. The paper also reports that, "The members of the Independent Electoral Commission and representatives of the political parties met yesterday in Abidjan." High on the agenda were, "The issues relating to the composition of the regional electoral commissions and the deadline for their full implementation."

4. Still on the debate over the promotions of the ex-rebels, L’inter quotes President Gbagbo as saying, "These promotions will not be allowed in the Republic."

5. With a picture of President Gbagbo and Mr. Soro on its front page, Le Patriote, a daily close to the opposition RDR party, carries a banner headline reading, "Gbagbo defies Soro." The paper quotes President Gbagbo as saying, "I see corporals wearing the stripes of commanders, sergeants wearing the bands of colonels… The country is enjoying recreation, everybody is free to play."

6. As the controversy over the promotion of the ex-rebels and the identification process continues, Le Matin d’Abidjan runs a prominent story saying, "President Gbagbo has destroyed the hopes of the rebels." The paper close to President Gbagbo, continues: "The rebels have become disillusioned. They, who wear proudly their new stripes, acquired through methods that contradict Republican norms will now be bidding farewell to their pompous promotions."

7. According to Nord-Sud Quotidien, a daily close to the opposition RDR party, "The identification process was suspended yesterday in Abobo [a suburb of Abidjan]." The reason behind the suspension indicates the paper, "is the insufficient deployment of security forces." Meanwhile, a banner headline says that, "In a bid to provide security to the identification process, the RDR will soon set up its own brigade, which will be tasked to do the job."

8. Le Temps, a privately-owned daily close to President Gbagbo, runs a front page story saying, the magistrates assigned to conduct the identification process, "have disapprove of the Prime Minister, Charles Konan Banny" over what the paper terms: "The fraudulent identification process." The paper accuses the head of the transitional government of, "squandering the funds granted by the European Union to implement the program."

9. Le Jour Plus, a privately-owned daily sounds the alarm saying, "The identification process hangs in the balance as the March, 2004 syndrome is likely to be re-created."

10. Reporting on new developments after Monday’s clashes between the national police and elements of the GPP, Dernières Nouvelles d’Abidjan, a newspaper close to the RDR party, says, the Chief of Defense Staff, General Philippe Mangou accused the Director of Navy School of "fomenting the trouble."

11. Finally, a front-page story carried by the privately-owned daily L’intelligent d’Abidjan says, "Fraternité Matin and its sister L’intelligent d’Abidjan are the best press companies in Côte d’Ivoire." The two newspapers were presented with their awards during a ceremony organized by OLPED, a national media watchdog institution.

August 01, 2006

1. Today’s Ivoirian press comments on new developments in the identification process and clashes yesterday in Abidjan between the national police and elements of the GPP, a militia group, in the Ivoirian economic capital.

2. According to Le Patriote, a daily close to the opposition RDR party, "There was shooting yesterday in Plateau [Abidjan’s commercial center] as elements of the GPP went on rampage." The paper indicates that, the violence occurred even though, "the government announced the dissolution of the ultra violent militia group, close to the ruling FPI party, in 2003." The paper carries on: "With the blessing of the military and state authorities, the militia group, which is based in Yopougon-Azito [a suburb of Abidjan], used weapons to attack police marines who were organizing a peaceful demonstration in Plateau."

3. "Abidjan has shaken as the GPP besieged Plateau," says a banner headline that runs across the state-owned daily Fraternité Matin. According to the paper, noted for its balanced reports, "A reaction from the National Defense and Security Forces was prevented thanks to the timely intervention of the Ivoirian Chief of Defense Staff, General Philippe Mangou." The paper also announces that General Mangou is due to meet this morning with the top brass of the country’s national security forces.

4. A front-page story in 24 Heures, a daily close to the opposition says, "11 marine police officers were injured during the demonstration." Another demonstration that, "virtually brought to standstill activities in Abidjan", reports the paper. The paper also gives coverage to "the rally organized yesterday by the Lebanese community in Côte d’Ivoire to protest Israeli-led raids against Lebanon."

5. "There were prayers and condemnation of Israeli-led bombardments against Lebanon as the Lebanese community stage a rally yesterday in Abidjan," reports the privately owned Le Jour Plus, close to the opposition.

6. "The Lebanese of Côte d’Ivoire mourned their deaths," says a front-page story run by the privately owned daily, L’inter. However the major item carried in today’s edition is the controversy over the identification process. According to the paper, "The national identity documents that were issued since the beginning of the program are likely to be nullified."

7. Notre Voie, a daily owned by the ruling FPI party notes, "the mistakes that have been made by the Prime Minister, Charles Konan Banny in the planning of the identification process." The paper suggests that, "Now that discussions have begun between the Premier and the FPI leadership to work out measures that could guarantee the transparency of the program, the question is what will happen to the national identity documents that were issued in rebels-controlled territory in the absence of government officials."

8. On the identification process in Bouaké, "Everybody becomes Ivoirian," says a front-page story in Le Temps, a privately owned daily close to President Gbagbo.

9. L’événement, a daily close to the opposition announces that, "The Prefects have returned to their posts", which the paper describes as a "sign of free movement for all throughout the country."

10. Meanwhile Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a privately-owned daily close to President Gbagbo, critically looks at "Prefect-rebel cohabitation". According to the paper, "The new rapport between the prefects and the rebels is a worry for many people."