August 31, 2007

1. Friday’s press is dominated by the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire, as Ivoirian authorities are pushing hard for the full implementation of the Ouagadougou Agreement. But while political campaigning is gathering momentum in the perspective of the upcoming presidential elections, news reports say political parties are engulfed in a wave of defections.

2. "I’m in FPI and I stay there," says a banner headline that runs across the state-owned daily, Fraternite Matin. The paper quotes Mamadou Koulibaly, a leading member of the ruling FPI party, who was trying to counter "rumors" relating to his alleged plan "to quit the party."

3. "The Speaker of the National Parliament," who was a guest speaker yesterday on RTI-TV1 – the state-run TV network – is quoted as saying, "I’ve no plan to leave the FPI." Koulibaly also denounced what he called: "fabrications," and told people behind them, "Those, who take delight in amusing the public, have got wrong."

4. "Koulibaly put an end to the gossips, following reports that he was leaving the FPI," says a front-page story in Notre Voie, a daily close to the ruling party.

5. A front-page story in Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a daily close to President Laurent Gbagbo, says Koulibaly, who is also the deputy-chairman of the ruling party, used his interview with the national TV to denounce "the French policy in Cote d’Ivoire."

6. "Koulibaly crucifies the opposition," writes Le Temps, another daily close to Gbagbo. It quotes Koulibaly as saying, "They want to bring down Cote d’Ivoire’s defense apparatus, and they want to take control of our water and communication companies."

7. Regarding efforts aimed at implementing the Ouagadougou Agreement, Fraternite Matin announces that, "Parties, which signed the accord, are expected to meet next Sunday in the Burkinabe capital to evaluate the situation on the ground." According to the paper, the major tasks to be carried out in connection with the agreement are "the launching of the civic education and the identification programs."

8. In a separate development, the paper announces that, "The UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflicts is scheduled to arrive in Cote d’Ivoire on September 4." Quoting a source close to the UNOCI, the paper indicates that, "The visit is in connection with the UN’s plan to prepare a report on the children and the armed conflict in Cote d’Ivoire."

9. "A UN fact-finding mission made up of experts overseeing the arms embargo imposed on Cote d’Ivoire is currently in Bouake to meet New Forces’ leaders over the application of the Security Council’s decision," reports the paper.

10. A front-page story in Le Front, a daily close to the New Forces, says, "After two months, Gbagbo is no longer president." Explaining the reasons of its assertion, the paper says, "The official declaration of the end of the war on July 30, in Bouake, prompted a debate over Gbagbo’s succession."

11. Citing Article 38 of the Ivoirian Constitution, the paper observes that the Head of State, "from the date of this declaration, has three months to organize presidential elections. Otherwise, he faces the obligation to resign to cede his seat to the Speaker of the National Assembly."

12. According to L’inter, a privately-owned daily, says, "The youth in the northern Cote d’Ivoire demand the Ivoirian Prime Minister, Soro Guillaume to announce the dates of the upcoming presidential elections."

13. A front-page story in Nord-Sud Quotidien, a daily close to the opposition, says, "A policeman, who was arrested on the suspicion that he was plotting to assassinate Gbagbo, is detained at the State Investigation Department."

14. "For the past seven days," reports 24 Heures, a daily close to the opposition, "Security forces in Cote d’Ivoire have been on high alert, following reports that Staff-Sergeant, Ibrahim Coulibaly, popularly known as IB is planning to launch attacks on both government and New Forces’ positions."

American Embassy's National Daily Press Review

This daily press review is compiled by the Information Section of the Public Affairs Office of the American Embassy in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. For questions regarding this service, please contact: Mr. Teko Folli in the Public Affairs Press Office, TekoFX@state.gov.

August 30, 2007

1. Today’s comments in the Ivoirian press are dominated by the political landscape in Cote d’Ivoire, as major political groups in this West African country have embarked in political campaigning ahead of the upcoming presidential elections.

2. A banner headline in L’intelligent d’Abidjan says that the Ivoirian opposition leader Alassane Dramane Ouattara has launched his "campaign" in the perspective of the forthcoming presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire. Ouattara, who arrived yesterday in Abidjan, after holding a rally in the French capital Paris, is quoted as saying, "The UN cannot decide for Ivoirians." According to the privately-owned daily, the Ivoirian political figure was reacting to the decision by the world governing body, which suspended the post of the High Representative in-charge of Elections in Cote d’Ivoire.

3. "Suspension of the post of the High Representative in-charge of Elections: Ouattara defies Ban Ki-Moon," reads a front-page story in Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a daily close to President Laurent Gbagbo. "The UN did not do their job," Ouattara is reported as saying. The paper observes that "The president of the opposition RDR party rejected the UN Resolution 1765, which endorsed the Ouagadougou Agreement."

4. In a related development, the paper quotes the President of the Economic and Social Council, Laurent Dona Fologo, who welcomes Gbagbo’s "rush to elections." "Gbagbo is right to step up pressure," because "the earlier we’ll go to polls, the earlier Ivoirians will have trust in one another," Fologo is reported as saying.

5. Notre Voie, a daily close to the ruling FPI party, denounces what it calls "the dangerous game that Ouattara and France are playing ahead of the 2008 presidential elections." According to the paper, Ouattara has already "proclaimed himself president of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire even before the elections are held… And France is not outside of this strategy, as Sarkozy is just following Chirac’s foot-steps."

6. The truth, believes Notre Voie, which cites "well-informed diplomatic sources," is that, "France envisages contesting the re-election of Gbagbo at the end of upcoming presidential elections. It is trying to convince all its Western allies that Gbagbo is designing a fraud machinery to keep himself in power, by preventing partisans of Ouattara to vote, on the grounds that they are foreigners. Don’t be surprise to see France being the first and unique country to contest the reelection of your president."

7. While Ouattara’s supporters says, "we’re ready to throw our weights behind our leader," the leader of the RDR, who is quoted by Le Patriote, daily close to his party, vows: "We’ll fight until victory comes." The fight, explains the paper, is to press the UN to reconsider their decision, which suspended the post of the High Representative in-charge of Elections in Cote d’Ivoire.

8. While the political campaigning is underway, Le Nouveau Reveil hints that the ruling FPI party is in "a state of decay." According to the paper close to the ex-ruling PDCI-RDA, Prof. Mamadou Koulibaly, a leading member of the FPI, could consider to quit the FPI in a bid to create what the paper calls "a radical party." The paper also discloses that "a group of FPI’s supporters have decided to back ‘the President of the National Assembly’."

9. A banner headline in Le Jour Plus, a daily close to the opposition, says, "The FPI is facing tough time in the western city of Gagnoa, its stronghold, as the populations are unhappy with Gbagbo."

10. In the face of "the increasing unemployment and the hike of the prices of commodities," reports L’inter, "Gbagbo’s partisans are angry." The privately-owned daily quotes a leading member of the ruling party as saying, "Supporters of the FPI have lost the values of socialism."

11. In a separate development, L’inter publishes the full text of statement issued by a cabinet of Staff-Sergeant, Ibrahim Coulibaly, popularly known as IB in reaction to news reports that "the former soldier of the Cote d’Ivoire National Armed Forces (FANCI) was preparing to launch a rebellion." The statement denounces what it calls "biased and defamatory information," and expresses "the indignation of IB, who has committed himself to support the process of the national concord, reconciliation, and peace underway in Cote d’Ivoire."

August 29, 2007

1. Once again, the Ivoirian press is preoccupied by the case of Guy-Andre Kieffer, the Franco-Canadian dual national journalist, who vanished in Cote d’Ivoire in April 2004. Papers also bring to the fore a wrangling opposing businessmen against the sister of the Ivoirian First Lady. But the dominant issue remains efforts underway to push forward the peace process in this West African country, and this, amidst news of looming attacks.

2. A front-page story in L’inter says, "The New Forces are on high alert, as combatants close to Staff-Sergeant, Ibrahim Coulibaly, popularly known as IB, are threatening to attack their positions." The privately-owned daily notes that "IB, the self-proclaimed leader of the Patriotic Movement of Cote d’Ivoire (MPCI), is not ready to smoke the peace pipe with his ‘brother and enemy’, the Ivoirian Prime, Minister Guillaume Soro."

3. According to the paper, "IB and his combatants have decided to launch simultaneous attacks from the western city of Danane and from Pogo, a city close to the Cote d’Ivoire-Mali border, in a bid to retake the territory under the control of the New Forces." "The government-controlled territory could also be targeted during the attacks," warns the paper. "Well informed by both Ivoirian and Burkinabe intelligent services, the prime Minister has set up his troops on high alert," hints the paper.

4. A banner headline that runs across Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a daily close to President Laurent Gbagbo, informs readers that the opposition RDR party is to launch "an operation" code-named "Price of Betrayal".

5. In a full-page in-depth story, the paper suggests that the operation is "a three-fold strategy" including "the use of the media to bring into disrepute the Ouagadougou Agreement, waging a campaign of disinformation in the military barracks, and assassination of New Forces’ leaders."

6. "After the meeting in Paris, Alassane Dramane Ouattara will now faces the realities on the ground," writes L’intelligent d’Abidjan, a privately-owned daily. According to the paper, the leader of the RDR party is expected in the Ivoirian economic capital today, and will be holding his first political rally in Abobo, a suburb of Abidjan.

6. The state-owned Fraternite Matin says the Burkinabe President Blaise Compaore, who is also the facilitator in the Ivoirian peace process, has called for a meeting of the committee overseeing the peace agreement signed last March between Gbagbo and Soro. According to the paper, the meeting, which is scheduled for September 4, would evaluate recent political developments in Cote d’Ivoire, five moths after the deal was signed.

7. A banner headline in Le Front, a daily close to the New Forces, says, "Barely five days after the Chairman of the ruling FPI party, Pascal N’Guessan, toured the stronghold of the ex-President Henri Konan Bedie, the former ruling PDCI-RDA has shattered the dream of the ruling FPI to control the region."

8. The paper also suggests that, "The Ivoirian First Lady, Simone Ehivet Gbagbo and the Mamadou Koulibaly, the number two of the regime, are being entangled in a power struggle over who succeeds President Gbagbo."

9. Another power struggle is the one opposing "the sister of the Ivoirian First Lady against businessmen," reports 24 Heures, a daily close to the opposition. Shedding light on what it calls "524 billions FCFA deal," the paper, allegedly reports that, "A young businessman accuses the sister of the First Lady of being responsible for his incarceration in the Abidjan prison."

10. Interviewed by Le Nouveau Reveil, a daily close to the PDCI-RDA party, "The sister of the First Lady denied the allegations." "I effectively lodged a complaint against him. But I was not the one who arrested him," she is quoted as saying.

11. A front-page story in Le Patriote, a daily close to the RDR party says, "The main suspect in the case of the Guy-Andre Kieffer, who was in custody in the Abidjan prison has disappeared."

August 28, 2007

1. Tuesday’s Ivoirian press is preoccupied by the alleged attack of the office of L’intelligent d’Abidjan by a group of students. Dailies also comment on the political campaigning ahead of the forthcoming elections in Cote d’Ivoire. But others sound the alarm bell announcing that the peace agreement singed six months ago could be endangered as a plan is being crafted to destabilize this West African country.

2. L’inter, a privately-owned daily, carries a headline entitled: "Threat on the peace process: Another rebellion is coming." Citing reliable sources, the paper discloses that "another rebellion would be created soon, and would be led by Staff-Sergeant, Ibrahim Coulibaly, popularly known as IB." IB, the paper says, "Deserted from the Cote d’Ivoire National Armed Forces (FANCI) and is one of the founding fathers of the Patriotic Movement of Cote d’Ivoire (MPCI) [one of the rebel groups that form the New Forces]."

3. "With the support of some young combatants, former warlords, and key members of an Ivoirian political party, IB created clubs of sympathizers whose role is to collect information and recruit members of this rebellion." L’inter comments that the recent rapprochement between President Laurent Gbagbo and the leader of the New Forces, Soro Guillaume did not "go down well with IB," who the paper calls "the ex-buddy of Soro." In a bid to save the peace process, "intelligent services advised Gbagbo to compromise with IB," hints the paper.

4. Citing a French newspaper, Le Temps, a daily close to Gbagbo, alleges that "the leader of the opposition RDR party, Alassane Dramane Ouattara, and IB met recently in Libreville, Gabon." The purpose of the meeting, suggests the paper, was to "bring down Soro."

5. "Alassane Dramane Ouattara is dreaming," says a banner headline that runs across the privately-owned daily L’intelligent d’Abidjan. The paper is quoting a former member of the RDR who was reacting to a statement made over the weekend by the Ivoirian opposition figure saying, "I’ll be the next president in Cote d’Ivoire."

6. A front-page story in Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a daily close to Gbagbo, observes that, "Apparently weakened following the signing of the Ouagadougou Agreement, Ouattara is now seeking support from Western countries." To achieve his objective, the paper continues, "He has chosen the country of Nicolas Sarkozy, whom he could count on in order to force his way to the Ivoirian Presidency of the Republic."

7. Regarding the date of the upcoming elections in Cote d’Ivoire, Ouattara is quoted by Le Nouveau Reveil as saying, "It’s not the responsibility of Gbagbo or Soro to fix a date." Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the ex-ruling party PDCI-RDA, Alphonse Djedje Mady, explaining the "preoccupations of the opposition groups," notes that "As at now, nothing is done in the perspective of the elections."

8. Soir Info, a privately-owned daily salutes what it calls, "Bedie’s democratic lesson to Affi N’Guessan." "The Ivoirian former Head of State, Henri Konan Bedie, almost abandoned himself at the mercy of the Chairman of the ruling FPI party, Pascal Affi N’Guessan," comments the paper. Speaking at a rally held in the stronghold of Bedie over the weekend, "Affi did not mince his words, while Bedie’s partisans did not try to disrupt the gathering."

9. According a front-page story in the state-owned daily Fraternite Matin, "Nearly 22,000 Liberian refugees return back home." The announcement was made by the Country Director of UN High Commission for Refugees.

10. In a separate development, the paper reports that, "The office of L’intelligent d’Abidjan was besieged yesterday by a group of students who presented themselves as members of FESCI – Federation of Students of Cote d’Ivoire." The motive behind the sit-in, writes the paper, was "to protest a story recently published by the newspaper."

11. Finally, Fraternite Matin publishes a communique issued by the Ministry Education announcing that "schools will reopen on September 17, 2007 in Cote d’Ivoire."

August 27, 2007

1. The case of Guy-Andre Kieffer, a Franco-Canadian dual national journalist, who vanished in Cote d’Ivoire in April 2004, and political campaigning ahead of the forthcoming elections in this West African country are the major news in Monday’s newspapers.

2. "Upcoming presidential elections: FPI and RDR are preparing for the big event," says a banner headline in the state-owned daily, Fraternite Matin. It quotes Pascal Affi N’Guessan, Chairman of the ruling FPI party, as saying, "Bedie’s time is over. The PDCI is dead." According to the paper, the Ivoirian political figure was speaking over the weekend from Daoukro, a city located in central Cote d’Ivoire, and hometown of former President Henri Konan Bedie, where he assured people from the area "to no more be afraid to be members of FPI," because the myth "has fallen."

3. From Paris, where addressed a political rally over the weekend, Alassane Dramane Ouattara vowed: "In 2008, we’ll take the Presidency." According to the paper, "Ouattara deplored recent decisions by the UN, which suspended the post of its High Representative in-charge of Elections in Cote d’Ivoire." In a reaction, the Ivoirian opposition leader is reported as saying, "The UN would be held responsible for any troubles that would result from a bad organization of coming elections."

4. With the picture of Ouattara on its front page, Nord-Sud Quotidien a daily close to the opposition, quotes the opposition figure as saying, "I’m the next Ivoirian president." Speaking to journalists on the margins of his rally, Ouattara noted that, "The UN is yet to understand the difficulties surrounding the Ivoirian dossier."

5. "We want elections as soon as possible," L’intelligent d’Abidjan, a privately-owned daily quotes Ouattara as saying. A front-page story in Le Patriote, a daily close to Ouattara’s RDR party says the opposition leader launched campaign for coming elections in Paris. He also called for "clean polls," the paper reports.

6. Le Temps, a daily close to Gbagbo, takes a critical look at Ouattara’s speech in Paris, and accuses the opposition leader of "announcing troubles in Abidjan."

7. Quoting the opposition leader who promised "free education for Ivoirians," Le Matin d’Abidjan, a daily close to Gbagbo, notes that "Ouattara has copied the political program of Gbagbo one."

8. According to Notre Voie, a daily close to the ruling FPI, "The mammoth rally" held by the party in the fiefdom of Bedie on Saturday was a strong signal that "a new chapter has begun in the history of the FPI." After Saturday’s rally in Daoukro, the paper comments, "The chairman of the ruling party has definitely become the main leader in the Nzi Comoe region -- in central Cote d’Ivoire."

9. Meanwhile, Le Front, a daily close to the New Forces, tells readers that, "The mammoth rally that the chairman of the ruling party organized in this region – where he comes from – allowed him to express his will and to test his capacity to inherit President Gbagbo, as the next head of state of Cote d’Ivoire."

10. In a separate development, L’inter, a privately-owned daily, carries the picture of the Ivoirian Attorney General, Raymond Tchimou, who said: "We’ve a new trail," which leads to the whereabouts of Guy-Andre Kieffer, the Franco-Canadian dual national journalist, who vanished in Cote d’Ivoire in April 2004. According to the paper, the state Attorney made the announcement during a press conference over the weekend.

11. Still on this issue, Fraternite Matin carries a front-page story saying, "The Attorney General has uncovered some inconsistencies in the statement made by Berte Seydou – a man, who a French television network presented as a witness in the case regarding the missing journalist."

12. A story carries by 24 Heures, a daily close to the opposition, says, "The FESCI – an Ivoirian students union – has ransacked a police station in Cocody – a district of Abidjan and released suspects, who were in custody there."

August 22, 2007

1. The major issues in Wednesday’s Ivorian papers include the Ivorian Army Chief of Staff’s visit to the military barracks in an attempt to assuage the crisis between the military and the government, and the identification scheme.

2. A banner headline across Le Front, a daily close to the New Forces, says, "Mayors are threatening to boycott the identification program." According to the paper, "The mayors from the central, northern, and western regions, who were displaced as a result of the war, are demanding more money as one of the preconditions to return to their cities."

3. During a meeting between the mayors and the Ivorian security minister recently in Bouake, Le Front reported that "the government promised to pay 5 billion francs CFA (10.3 million dollars) to mayors and general councils representing the grants they are entitled to during the period running from 2002 through 2007."

4. The paper points out that the mayors play "an important role" in the identification process. It therefore calls upon the government to find a "swift solution to their demand," in order to save the identification scheme from "collapsing."

5. While Major General Philippe Mangou, the Ivorian Chief of Defense is touring the military barracks "to bring down tension between the government and soldiers," Le Temps, a daily close to Gbagbo, says the army has launched "a big media campaign designed to fight the wave of rumors, fabrication, and disinformation in the military barracks."

6. According to the paper, the Defense Minister, Michel Amani N’Guessan, advised journalists "to stop taking political problems to the army." N’Guessan was speaking yesterday in Abidjan when he met members of an association of army reporters.

7. The defense minister, who is also quoted by Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a daily close to Gbagbo, calls upon everyone involved in the military’s discontent "to exercise restrain," as "one does not manage an army by talking."

8. Almost a week after the meeting between President Laurent Gbagbo and the soldiers over ranks and war allowances issues, Soir Info, a privately-owned daily, is critical of those involved with ending the crisis. The paper comments, "During his meeting with the defense and security forces, the firmness shown by Gbagbo was seen as a negligence vis-à-vis his soldiers."

9. "Gbagbo betrayed us," said a leader of FS-LIMA, a militia group in western Cote d’Ivoire, in Le Patriote. According to the paper, which is close to the opposition RDR party, "relations between Gbagbo and the militia groups, who supported him, have strained, as they believe they have been abandoned."

10. In a separate development, Le Jour Plus devotes its front page to health issues explaining how the tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS are affecting the lives of people in Cote d’Ivoire. According to the paper, "45 per cent of people -- mainly women and young girls – are suffering from the tuberculosis are HIV positive," citing researches carried out by the ministry in charge of combating HIV/AIDS.

11. The state-owned daily, Fraternite Matin, tells readers how the Ivorian authorities are fighting in a bid to reduce piracy that is damaging the work of Ivorian artists. The paper carries a full page in-depth story, saying, "The FESCI – an Ivorian students union – has launched a campaign against the scourge."

12. According to the paper, "Security forces have seized 5,000 illegal audio and video cassettes, while 15 pirates have been arrested in connection with piracy activities in this country."

August 24, 2007

1. Guy-Andre Kieffer is a Franco-Canadian dual national journalist, who vanished in Cote d’Ivoire in April 2004. More than three years after the journalist got missing; his name becomes subject of front-page stories in today’s Ivoirian newspapers.

2. With a picture of the French President on its front-page, 24 Heures, a daily close to the opposition, carries a headline entitled: "Sarkozy opens the Pandora box." Nicholas Sarkozy, reports the paper, vowed "to help resolve the mystery over the whereabouts of Guy-Andre Kieffer," when he received yesterday at Elysee the family of the missing journalist. "It’s a priority for the French government," the paper quotes Sarkozy as saying.

3. "Assassination of Guy-Andre Kieffer: An eyewitness narrates the tale of execution of the journalist," says another banner headline carried by Nord-Sud Quotidien, a paper close to the opposition. The paper quotes one Berte Seydou, who spoke to France 3 – a French TV network – as saying, "Kieffer was killed." According to the paper, "Sarkozy would demand Ivoirian President Laurent Gbagbo to account for what happened to the journalist."

4. "Vanishing of Guy-Andre Kieffer: An eyewitness accuses the Presidency," writes Le Nouveau Reveil, a daily close to the ex-ruling PDCI-RDA party. "Kieffer spent two nights in the basement of the Ivoirian Presidency," the paper quotes the witness as saying.

5. The paper believes that "the time for justice to unveil the mystery of the French-Canadian journalist has finally come." It also alleges that the Ivoirian authorities refused "to cooperate in the criminal investigation set up to shed light on the matter" because "the main suspects belong to the inner circle of President Gbagbo and his wife."

6. Still on the new development on Kieffer’s affair, L’intelligent d’Abidjan, a privately-owned daily, says "Sarkozy has stepped pressure on the French Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire." Receiving the family of Guy-Andre Kieffer, reports the paper, Sarkozy said: "I’ll ask Andre Janier to take the matter seriously."

7. Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a daily close to Gbagbo, describes the decision by the French authorities to investigate the case of the French-Canadian journalist as "another war of Paris against Abidjan." The paper questions the motive behind the publication of a statement made by Berte Seydou. It believes that the meeting yesterday between the family of the journalist and Sarkozy, and promise made by the French leader to help resolve the matter are not "fortuitous" events.

8. The paper opines that, "After the military and diplomatic blow suffered by Chirac – French ex-president --, as he failed to remove Gbagbo from power, his successor, Sarkozy, wants to use the case of our Guy-Andre Kieffer to finish the job."

9. While the privately-owned daily Soir Info sees Berte Seydou’s declaration as, "startling revelations," Notre Voie, a daily close to the ruling FPI party, calls it "a dream."

10. Le Front, a daily close to the New Forces, devotes its front-page to a different matter. According to the paper, "A UN mission is expected in Abidjan around mid-September, as part of probe into the rocket attack against the plane carrying Prime Minister Soro Guillaume on June 29." The paper however indicates that the UN mission won’t have any mandate to carry out any international investigation into the matter.

11. A front-page story in the state-owned daily, Fraternite Matin, says the RDR opposition party, led by Alassane Dramane Ouattara, is to hold two rallies – one in Abidjan and the other one in Paris – to launch its campaign ahead of the forthcoming presidential elections.

12. Le Patriote, a daily close to the party calls Paris gathering, "The grand conclave." The paper cites "the party’s strategy to take power, identification scheme, upcoming elections, and plan to reorganize the party," as issues that will atop of Paris’ rally.

13. According to the privately-owned daily, "There is an in-fight within the ruling FPI party for the succession of President Gbagbo." The battle, writes the paper, opposes party’s heavyweights, including the First Lady, Simone Gbagbo, Mamadou Koulibaly, who the paper presented as "the constitutional dauphin", Affi N’Guessan, the president of the president of the party, and Bohoun Bouabre, Minister of State in-charge of Planning and Development in the current government.

August 23, 2007

1. The mood in the various military barracks makes its mark again in today’s newspapers as the Ivorian Army Chief of Staff is meeting with soldiers to resolve the crisis between the military and the government. Section of the Ivoirian papers also comment on the identification process, while others criticize the clean up of the toxic waste underway in Abidjan.

2. With a picture of a swollen-face woman on the front-page, Fraternite Matin, a state-owned daily, tells readers that, "The clean up exercise aimed at removing toxic waste in Abidjan and its surroundings runs into difficulties."

3. A two-page feature story carried by the paper describes a protocol of agreement signed between the Ivorian authorities and officials of Trafigura, the Dutch-based company that chartered the vessel which dumped the waste in Abidjan as "a complex deal."

4. Fraternite Matin writes: "The deal concluded on February 13, 2007 turns to be a bitter pill to swallow. The business was not well handled due to cumbersome bureaucracy. People who got sick as a result of the toxic waste couldn’t find their names on the list of those who are entitled to receive compensation." Meanwhile, "People in Djibi -- a village located in the suburb of Abidjan -- are crying fool, as they feel abandoned," reports the paper.

5. As preparation of the upcoming presidential election is underway, L’inter explains why "the identification scheme – due to begin next September – has triggered much interest in each political arena."

6. The program, comments the privately-owned daily, should help sort out, among other things, issues of "who in Cote d’Ivoire is a citizen, and who has the right to vote."

7. "The question of who is an Ivoirian was the main cause of the current crisis," suggests the paper. It adds, "Beyond a simple process to issuing identity documents to Ivoirians, the identification process is a big challenge for the Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, leader of the New Forces."

8. Still on the identification process, Le Nouveau Reveil, a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA, publishes a message from ex-President Henri Konan Bedie calling on all Ivoirians "to fully take part in the exercise." The motive behind the call, comments the paper, is to enable "all Ivoirians to register for the upcoming elections."

9. Nord-Sud Quotidien informs readers that the leader of the opposition RDR party, Alassane Dramane Ouattara, is expected in Paris next Saturday to unveil his "strategy to take power in Cote d’Ivoire." According to the paper, close to the opposition, "The RHDP – an opposition coalition wants the identification process to be completed before the establishment of any voter register."

10. "Stop terrorizing our militants," says a banner headline in Notre Voie, a daily close to ruling FPI, quoting the president of the party. Affi N’Guessan, reports the paper, denounced "the persecution of FPI’s militants by opposition supporters during his recent visit to Daoukro in central Cote d’Ivoire – a region believed to be PDCI-RDA’s stronghold."

11. "We’re manipulated," Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a daily close to Gbagbo, quotes soldiers as telling the Ivoirian chief of defense, when Major General Philippe Mangou visited the military barracks in an attempt "to bring down tension" prompted by the ranks and war allowances issue.

12. Le Patriote, a daily close to the RDR party, explains "how the current regime has politicized the army."

13. Almost six months after the signing of the Ouagadougou Agreement designed to end a five-year crisis in this West African country, Soir Info suggests that the peace process, once again, "hangs in the balance as Cote d’Ivoire has gone back to square one."

August 22, 2007

1. The major issues in Wednesday’s Ivorian papers include the Ivorian Army Chief of Staff’s visit to the military barracks in an attempt to assuage the crisis between the military and the government, and the identification scheme.

2. A banner headline across Le Front, a daily close to the New Forces, says, "Mayors are threatening to boycott the identification program." According to the paper, "The mayors from the central, northern, and western regions, who were displaced as a result of the war, are demanding more money as one of the preconditions to return to their cities."

3. During a meeting between the mayors and the Ivorian security minister recently in Bouake, Le Front reported that "the government promised to pay 5 billion francs CFA (10.3 million dollars) to mayors and general councils representing the grants they are entitled to during the period running from 2002 through 2007."

4. The paper points out that the mayors play "an important role" in the identification process. It therefore calls upon the government to find a "swift solution to their demand," in order to save the identification scheme from "collapsing."

5. While Major General Philippe Mangou, the Ivorian Chief of Defense is touring the military barracks "to bring down tension between the government and soldiers," Le Temps, a daily close to Gbagbo, says the army has launched "a big media campaign designed to fight the wave of rumors, fabrication, and disinformation in the military barracks."

6. According to the paper, the Defense Minister, Michel Amani N’Guessan, advised journalists "to stop taking political problems to the army." N’Guessan was speaking yesterday in Abidjan when he met members of an association of army reporters.

7. The defense minister, who is also quoted by Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a daily close to Gbagbo, calls upon everyone involved in the military’s discontent "to exercise restrain," as "one does not manage an army by talking."

8. Almost a week after the meeting between President Laurent Gbagbo and the soldiers over ranks and war allowances issues, Soir Info, a privately-owned daily, is critical of those involved with ending the crisis. The paper comments, "During his meeting with the defense and security forces, the firmness shown by Gbagbo was seen as a negligence vis-à-vis his soldiers."

9. "Gbagbo betrayed us," said a leader of FS-LIMA, a militia group in western Cote d’Ivoire, in Le Patriote. According to the paper, which is close to the opposition RDR party, "relations between Gbagbo and the militia groups, who supported him, have strained, as they believe they have been abandoned."

10. In a separate development, Le Jour Plus devotes its front page to health issues explaining how the tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS are affecting the lives of people in Cote d’Ivoire. According to the paper, "45 per cent of people -- mainly women and young girls – are suffering from the tuberculosis are HIV positive," citing researches carried out by the ministry in charge of combating HIV/AIDS.

11. The state-owned daily, Fraternite Matin, tells readers how the Ivorian authorities are fighting in a bid to reduce piracy that is damaging the work of Ivorian artists. The paper carries a full page in-depth story, saying, "The FESCI – an Ivorian students union – has launched a campaign against the scourge."

12. According to the paper, "Security forces have seized 5,000 illegal audio and video cassettes, while 15 pirates have been arrested in connection with piracy activities in this country."

August 21, 2007

1. Today’s news reports say the Ivorian Army Chief of Staff, Major General Philippe Mangou, visited Akouedo’s military barrack in Abidjan yesterday in an attempt to assuage the crisis between the military and the government. But front-page stories in dailies close to President Laurent Gbagbo say that the Ouagadougou Agreement -- signed last March in the Burkinabe capital -- is "seriously under threat."

2. "The Ouagadougou Agreement in danger: They want to assassinate Gbagbo, Soro and Mangou," says a banner headline that runs across Le Temps, a daily close Gbagbo. The paper carries a two-page in-depth report alleging that, just as Ivorians have rekindled hope, the opposition groups have crafted what it calls "a destabilizing plan" to be executed "on August 25, 2007."

3. The objective of the plan, the paper suggests, is "to assassinate the president of the Republic, the prime minister, the army chief of staff, and other top political figures." While the New Forces are taking the threat seriously, the defense and security forces say "we’re ready to foil any attempt to destabilize the country," reports Le Temps.

4. In a related development, Le Matin d’Abidjan, another daily close to Gbagbo, unveils what it calls "the secret behind a French-designed coup d’etat." The paper allegedly reports that, "The Ivorian opposition leader, Alassane Dramane Ouattara and ex-commander of the Ivorian army – General Mathias Doue – are believed to be part of a plan aimed at overthrowing Ivorian legal institutions."

5. "With the support of France," suggests the paper, "The opposition groups want to use the army to create confusion that would necessitate the intervention of La Licorne – French troops in Cote d’Ivoire -- and force Gbagbo to descend from power."

6. Citing reliable sources, the paper indicates that, "In a bid to psychologically prepare the public opinion to accepting the coup in theory, the architects used the ranks and war allowances issues to sap the morale of soldiers." Regarding the mood in the military barracks days after the meeting between Gbagbo and soldiers, the paper warns that "tension has not yet come down."

7. In a front-page story, Notre Voie, a daily close to the ruling FPI party, tells readers "the origin of these rumors that created anger in the military barracks." It reassures the population that, "All these rumors, which were peddled by section of the press, were pure fabrication."

8. "Anger in the garrisons: Mangou tries to calm down soldiers," writes Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a daily close to Gbagbo. "Since yesterday, the Ivorian army commander has been touring the military barracks, trying to resolve the differences between soldiers and the government," indicates the paper.

9. "It’s more useful to work for peace than to go to war," said Major General Magou in the privately-owned L’intelligent d’Abidjan.

10. According to Le Nouveau Reveil, Magou added, "I’m here for you," speaking to soldiers in Akouedo’s military barracks. The paper, close to the ex-ruling party PDCI-RDA comments, "In the face of angry soldiers, Magou begs for pardon."

11. A front-page story in 24 Heures, a daily close to the opposition, says, "Former New Forces combatants are unhappy because of their miserable living conditions." Regarding the forthcoming elections, the paper predicts "clash that could oppose Gbagbo to Soro," who, reports the paper, called for "no more rigged elections in this country."

12. A front-page story in the state-owned daily, Fraternite Matin, says that the government needs 7 billion FCFA (about 14.4 million dollars) to help people displaced by the war to return home. The announcement was made yesterday by the Minister of Solidarity and War Victims.

13. According to Nord-Sud Quotidien, the coastal commune of Port-Bouet was stricken by a tidal wave, as a tremor hit 1,800 km off the coast of Cote d’Ivoire on August 14.

August 20, 2007

1. A year after a vessel chartered by the Dutch-based company Trafigura dumped tons of toxic waste in Abidjan; the scandal again makes front-page stories today. Experts are expected in Abidjan for the second time to help clean up the waste. The peace process and upcoming elections also make headlines in the dailies.

2. The Ivorian Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, speaking over the weekend in Ferkessedougou (northern Cote d’Ivoire), is quoted by Le Nouveau Reveil as calling for “no more rigged elections in this country.” According to the paper, which is close to the ex-ruling PDCI-RDA party, Soro used this first visit to his hometown since being nominated as head of the transitional government to speak on various issues, including the forthcoming elections and the national identification program. He reported that voter registration should begin “by next month.”

3. “Soro invited commanders of the New Forces’ Armed Forces not to see prefects and mayors as enemies,” reports the state-owned daily Fraternite Matin. According to the paper, the Ivorian Prime Minister, during a rally organized in Ferkessedougou, exhorted his close collaborators “to help implement the Ouagadougou Agreement, and create an environment conducive to mutual understanding and friendliness, enabling the organization of the elections.”

4. In a separate development, Fraternite Matin devotes its front-page to the rocket attack that hit Soro’s plane last June in New Forces’ stronghold, Bouake. While the conspirators have not yet been uncovered, President Laurent Gbagbo assured that he and Soro “are thinking of the same people.”

5. In a front-page story, Le Patriote, a daily close to the opposition RDR party, tries to shed light on the attack that hit the presidential jet carrying the Ivorian prime minister. The paper explains how the “UN’s cumbersome bureaucracy is delaying investigations into the matter.” 

6. With a picture of Gbagbo on its front-page, L’inter, a privately-owned daily, suggests that the Ivorian leader succeeded in “assuaging the crisis” between the military and the government.  The paper, which calls last Tuesday’s meeting between Gbagbo and soldiers “a power struggle”, goes on: “In the face of angry soldiers, who thronged the forecourt of the Presidential Palace, Gbagbo stood firm.”

7. Meanwhile, the paper warns that the anger in the barracks “is not yet over.” It then wonders, “How far could the discontent soldiers go?” The paper comments, “Up to now the soldiers are expressing their fury peacefully… but one should fear a situation where such movements could lead to a change of regime, like that of Bedie [former Ivorian president ousted after a coup d’etat in December 1999].”

8. L’inter also informs readers that, “American experts are expected in Abidjan to clean up other sites,” polluted as a result of the dumping of the toxic waste a year ago in the city.

9. In a front-page story, 24 Heures, a daily close to the opposition, explains that the arrival of toxic waste experts for the second time is part of a protocol of agreement signed between the Ivorian authorities and representatives of Trafigura, the Dutch-based company that chartered the vessel which dumped the waste in Abidjan.

10. Regarding the compensation of victims of the toxic waste scandal, Nord-Sud Quotidien, a daily close to the opposition, citing sources close to the Ivorian Treasury Department, discloses that, “Out of 95,227 victims, only 29,441 victims had, as of Friday, received 6.51 million CFA francs (12.3 million dollars).”              

August 17, 2007

1. Despite a call from the National Press Council (CNP) – a state-owned media watchdog – demanding journalists to tone down their reports on Tuesday’s close door meeting between President Laurent Gbagbo and Ivoirian soldiers over ranks and allowances arrears, the meeting continues to spark much comment in today’s newspapers.

2. "Incitement to revolt in the military barracks: CNP condemns the drift in the press," says a banner headline that runs across Notre Voie, a daily close to the ruling FPI party. The paper publishes the full text of a statement issued yesterday by the Ivoirian media watchdog denouncing what it calls, "An execrable treatment of the news on the close door meeting between Gbagbo and soldiers."

3. The statement also condemns "the use of inflammatory words by section of the media," adding this kind of reports could cause "military revolt against State’s institutions," and hence, "hold back the peace process underway after the signing of the Ouagadougou Agreement."

4. Notre Voie accuses the Ivoirian opposition of trying "to incite the national army to revolt," and suggests that, "The enemies of peace are thrown into disarray."

5. Le Matin d’Abidjan runs a headline entitled: "Anger in the barracks: France is preparing a coup d’Etat." It also alleges that, "cash is being distributed in the military barracks, while emissaries of an opposition alliance called the RHDP are going round to call for revolt."

6. Soir Info, a privately-owned daily, calls the "growing anger" in the military barracks "a bomb in the hands of President Gbagbo." The paper comments, "The crisis over the ranks and allowances arrears was poorly addressed, and this could cause a setback of the whole peace process in Cote d’Ivoire."

7. In the wake of the meeting between Gbagbo and soldiers, L’inter, a privately-owned unveils that, "Gbagbo had hammered out a good plan for the army." It indicates that, "Though the question regarding the payment of war allowances was not part of the ‘gifts’, Gbagbo had planned to organize a National Day to celebrate best soldiers, who remained loyal to him during the war."

8. Reacting to the statement issued by the CNP, Le Nouveau Reveil, a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA, calls it "an insult to the press." The paper promises readers to come out with a full rejoinder in its tomorrow’s edition. In a related development, the paper wonders whether, "Gbagbo has ordered that heavy weapons should be removed from the Akouedo military barrack in Abidjan, after his martial speech."

9. "Gbagbo has deployed his troops, as the anger is growing in the military barracks," says a front-page story in 24 Heures, a daily close to the opposition. According to the paper, "The CECOS – a security unit based in Abidjan – is on high alert, while security around the Presidential Palace has been beefed up."

10. 24 Heures also tells readers that, "The New Forces’ high command is due to hold an emergency meeting today in Bouake." Citing reliable sources, the paper says, "The meeting will envisage reacting to Gbagbo’s statement that he did not recognize the ranks given by Soro Guillaume to his soldiers."

11. After Tuesday’s meeting, "The Ivoirian Chief of Staff faces difficult situation," writes Le Front, a daily close to the New Forces. According to the paper, "The disgruntled soldiers hold Major General, Philippe Mangou responsible for the ongoing crisis in the army."

12. In another development, Le Jour Plus, a daily close to the opposition warns that, "A social revolt is on the offing, following the hike of foods prices in the country."

13. Dumped in Abidjan and its environs in August 2006, "The toxic wastes continue to cause mayhem amongst the population," reports Le Patriote, a daily close to the opposition RDR party.

August 16, 2007

1. A few days after the Ivoirian Prime Minister set up a working group aimed at reviving the stalled public hearings, Soro Guillaume assured Cote d’Ivoire’s opposition coalition of fair, democratic and transparent elections. But the major news in today’s Ivoirian newspapers is the close door meeting last Tuesday between President Laurent Gbagbo and the country’s security and defense forces in a bid to resolve a crisis following reports of "growing anger in the military barracks."

2. "War allowances: The security and defense forces claim 300 billions Francs CFA," says a banner headline that runs across the state-owned daily Fraternite Matin. "Gbagbo held a three-hour close door meeting with top military brass trying to defuse tension," reports the paper citing reliable sources. "Food and war allowances, the ranks of soldiers of the New Forces Armed Forces, the situation of soldiers, who were displaced as a result of the war, promotion…" were issues that were atop of last Tuesday’s meeting, reports the paper.

3. Regarding the food allowances, indicates the paper, "Gbagbo promised to pay them once the economic situation of the country will allow doing so." On the other issues, "He called upon everybody to make sacrifice and to understand the prevailing situation."

4. Meanwhile, "anger is not yet over in the military barracks," writes Fraternite Matin, "As disgruntled defense and security forces in the Akouedo military barracks in Abidjan, calling themselves ‘soldiers of terrain’ held a nightly ‘war council’ last Wednesday where they described Tuesday meeting as a lot of fuss for nothing."

5. Nord-Sud Quotidien, a daily close to the opposition, says it was "a stormy" meeting between Gbagbo and the security and defense forces at the Presidential Palace last Tuesday. It quotes the Ivoirian leader as telling soldiers, "You didn’t win any war… I don’t have 300 billions Francs CFA to pay you."

6. In a bid "to assure" the opposition groups of the full implementation of the peace process, and "to revive the relationships between allies of the G7 – an opposition and New Forces alliance --, Soro told oppositions leaders: "We’ll do everything possible to organize transparent elections," reports the paper.

7. A front-page story in Le Nouveau Reveil, a daily close to the ex-ruling PDCI-RDA party, suggests that, "The Republic is under threat, as Gbagbo insulted the soldiers." "The General will fall down," continues the paper, suggesting that "Gbagbo would consider firing the Ivoirian Chief of Staff, Major General, Philippe Mangou."

8. "The clash between Gbagbo and Cote d’Ivoire National Armed Forces," reads a banner headline carried by Le Front, a daily close to the New Forces. "I don’t owe you anything," Le Patriote, a daily close to the opposition RDR, quotes Gbagbo as saying, while a front-page story in 24 Heures – also close to the opposition – says, "Gbagbo knocks out the army."

9. Telling readers a different story, Le Temps, a daily close to the Ivoirian president, runs a front-page item entitled: "Gbagbo and his army have come to an agreement on how to resolve issues regarding the ranks given by Soro to his soldiers, allowances…" According to the paper, "Gbagbo used the occasion to urge the country’s security and defense forces not to follow politicians… and to assure them that the peace process is irreversible."

10. Notre Voie, a daily close to the ruling FPI party, describes Gbagbo’s declarations during Tuesday’s gathering, as "a frank and direct speech." "Gbagbo restores confidence amongst the soldiers," writes the paper. With a picture of the Ivoirian leader on its front-page, Le Matin d’Abidjan – also pro-Gbagbo --, says, "The president kills the rumors in the garrisons."

11. "While the whole government is on vacation, Gbagbo and Soro are planning to reshuffle the government," hints L’inter, a privately-owned daily.

12. Finally, Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a daily close to Gbagbo, alleges that, "The Ivoirian authorities are negotiating for the arms embargo imposed on Cote d’Ivoire to be lifted." According to the Ivoirian Interior Minister, Desire Tagro yesterday held talks with two UN experts tasked to oversee the embargo.

August 14, 2007

1. Commentaries in today’s Ivoirian newspapers say the authorities in Cote d’Ivoire are now taking "serious" the "growing anger in the military barracks," as President Laurent Gbagbo is set to meet the Security and Defense Forces today.

2. With a picture of the Ivoirian leader on its front-page, Fraternite Matin runs a story entitled: "Anger in the national army: Gbagbo wants to resolve the problem." According to the state-owned daily, "The Ivoirian President is to meet the Security and Defense Forces this afternoon at the Presidential Palace in Abidjan." "Tension is mounting on one side," reports the paper, "As shootings were heard yesterday in a key point in Abidjan."

3. For today’s meeting, "He [Gbagbo] will be assisted by the Minister of Planning and Development; the Minister of Defense; the Minister of Economy and Finance; and the Ivoirian Army Chief of Defense," all of whom, according to the paper, "will help find solutions to certain technical problems."

4. Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a daily close to Gbagbo, calls today’s meeting, "The big debate between Gbagbo and the Army over the controversy triggered by the ranks given some army officers and the payment of demobilization allowances."

5. As the issue of rank and payment of the allowances continues to spark plenty of controversy, L’inter, a privately-owned daily carries a front-page story saying, "Gbagbo and the soldiers are set for a crucial meeting today." The paper suggests, "The fact that the Ouagadougou Agreement did not address the problem is likely to derail the peace process."

6. The paper also comments, "Beside the rank controversy, the upcoming identification program has thrown the Prime Minister Soro Guillaume into a hot spot, and Gbagbo in a tight corner." It points out that, "These two thorny issues could trigger the anger of the ex-rebels."

7. A front-page story in Le Nouveau Reveil, a daily close to the ex-ruling PDCI-RDA party, says "The Defense Minister, Michel Amani N’Guessan, was refused entry yesterday as he tried yesterday to visit soldiers at the Akouedo military barrack in Abidjan in a bid to stem the malaise that plagues the army."

8. "Mangou – The Ivoirian Army Chief of Defense – and Amani cancel a visit to the garrisons," writes 24 Heures, a daily close to the opposition. Citing military sources, the paper indicates that, "Soldiers reportedly told the minister and the army commander that they were not ready to meet them."

9. In a related development, the paper publishes a copy of "an open letter" sent to the President of the Republic by a group of soldiers calling themselves "Ble Goude" demanding their "reintegration into the national army."

10. Commenting the current crisis within the army, Soir Info, a privately-owned daily, suggests that, "There is a need to find a courageous and swift solution to this problem," because "the lack of decision and any attempt to play down the issue could plunge the country into danger."

11. Le Temps -- a daily close to Gbagbo --, after quoting a leading member of the ruling FPI party who calls upon the soldiers to come to "compromise", accuses the Ivoirian opposition group of "fueling the situation."

12. While Gbagbo is scheduled to meet the Security and Defense Forces today, Le Front, a daily close to the New Forces, says his Prime Minister is due to hold talks with members of the RHDP – An Ivoirian opposition coalition. "The public hearings, identification program, and the voters register will be top on the agenda," indicates the paper.

August 13, 2007

1. The grumbling and controversy over the rank issue in both Cote d’Ivoire National Armed Forces and New Forces Armed Forces are the major news in Monday’s Ivoirian papers.

2. The state-owned daily Fraternite Matin carries a banner headline entitled: "Unhappiness within the army: Mangou tries to bring down tension." "In a bid to quench the fire that is burning in the garrisons over a controversial rank issue and unpaid war allowances," reports the paper, "The Ivoirian Army Chief of Staff, General Philippe Mangou is playing the role of a fire fighter."

3. Speaking at a press conference over the week writes the paper, the Ivoirian army commander, who looked "visibly ulcerated," rejected "unfounded reports on the army," published by the press. Mangou told journalists: "Your writings are dangerous for the population and this can undermine the peace process." "We keep our doors open to enable you crosscheck your information," he is reported as saying.

4. Regarding the rank issue and unpaid war allowances, Mangou told reporters: "I’m not a thief," as he explained how these allowances are paid. Meanwhile, quoting an army officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Fraternite Matin says, "Garrisons are shaken by continuous grumbling, as soldiers are claiming six months of unpaid allowances."

5. A banner headline that runs across Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a daily close to President Gbagbo, says "Mangou warns those who are trying to take advantage of the rebellion’s rank affairs." The paper’s political cartoonist shows the Army Chief of Staff telling journalists: "Dear friends, if you want to write anything concerning the army, let me suggest you a topic: ‘Peace, Peace, Peace’."

6. "Mangou rejects the ranks given by Soro to New Forces’ soldiers," says a front-page story in Le Patriote, a daily close to the opposition RDR party. "The issue concerning the rank of soldiers of the New Forces’ Armed Forces is yet to be resolved," the paper quotes Mangou as saying.

7. Commenting Mangou’s press conference over the weekend, the paper says, "The army is once again threatening the freedom of the press," as this is not the first time the Ivoirian Chief of Staff tried "to intimidate the press."

8. "What will happen if the issue of the rank of soldiers of the New Forces is not resolved?" asked Nord-Sud Quotidien, a daily close to the opposition. The paper warns: "While Ivoirian are pushing hard for the reunification of both the country and the army, the matter over the rank could cause mayhem in the country."

9. A front-page story in 24 Heures, a daily close to the opposition, says, "Angry soldiers threaten Gbagbo" over the thorny rank issue and unpaid war allowances. According to the paper, "Disgruntled soldiers shot in the air last Saturday night in Cocody near the residence of the Head of State to protest the recent promotions granted to General Mangou and other senior officers and to claim their allowances."

10. L’intelligent d’Abidjan, a privately-owned daily, quotes Lida Kouassi Moise, a Presidential military advisor as saying, "Money is being distributed in the military barracks to incite soldiers to revolt."

11. As the debate on the New Forces’ rank issue is raging, Le Front, a daily close to the New Forces, calls upon the Burkinabe President Blaise Compaore – the facilitator in the Ivoirian peace process – "to help find a swift solution to the matter."

12. In a separate development, L’inter, a privately-owned daily, carries a 3-page in-depth feature story explaining "the ordeal of unemployed youth." The report says, "Recent initiatives" aimed at curbing "this lasting bomb" has yielded "meager results."

August 10, 2007

1. The upcoming elections in Cote d’Ivoire continue to dominate commentaries in the Ivoirian newspapers, a day after the Ivoirian authorities established a committee tasked with implementing the national identification process. News reports also say that soldiers are grumbling in expression of their unhappiness over a controversial rank issue and unpaid war allowances.

2. A front-page story in the privately-owned daily L’inter says, "The grumble has intensified," as soldiers held "a secret meeting" yesterday to make what the paper calls "major decisions." Citing reliable sources, the paper discloses that, "The disgruntled soldiers are planning to go berserk to demand the payment of war allowances and upgrading."

3. The paper comments, "A serious threat is looming ahead," at a time Cote d’Ivoire is fully engaged in a peace process. It warns, "The controversy over soldiers’ ranks is a real lasting bomb that could undermine the peace process."

4. "The peace process in Cote d’Ivoire is irreversible." - President Laurent Gbagbo in Cotonou, Benin, quoted in Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a publication supportive of the president.

5. "We’ll, at all cost, find means to organize clean and transparent elections… The peace process is moving forward and it won’t stop," Gbagbo assured his host during his working visit to Benin.

6. While the Ivoirian leader is pushing hard to organize upcoming presidential election by December this year, the opposition parties are gripped by "doubt and panic," Le Courrier d’Abidjan tells readers.

7. Speaking to Nord-Sud Quotidien, the President of Ivoirian Workers Party (PIT), Prof Francis Wodie, says, "The Constitutional Court is not independent, and hence, cannot guarantee the transparency of the coming elections."

8. "Identification program: Gbagbo is preparing masquerade," reads a banner headline that runs across Le Jour Plus, a daily close to the opposition. It comments, "The success of the identification plan and the electoral process depends on the way public hearings will be conducted. The victory of the Head of State depends on how the presidential camp will control the process."

9. According to 24 Heures, a daily close to the opposition, the United Nations Mission in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) is to "support the electoral process and to ensure the identification process is conducted in conformity with international norms."

10. Le Nouveau Reveil, a daily close to the ex-ruling PDCI-RDA party, announces that "A delegation of the RHDP – a coalition of opposition parties – is to meet the Ivoirian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, next week to discuss the issue relating to the organization of the upcoming presidential poll in Cote d’Ivoire."

11. In another development, the paper reports that Yves De Sery, Chief Editor of the daily Le Matin d’Abidjan, was "summoned" yesterday by the commander of the Gendarmerie following a story published by the newspaper entitled: "200 gendarmes quit their units."

12. "Gbagbo is a big leader," Notre Voie, a daily close to the ruling FPI party quote Jack Rosen, the President of American Jewish Congress, as saying. According to the paper, Rosen was in Cote d’Ivoire at the invitation of Gbagbo.

13. "Gbagbo deserves support," the state-owned daily Fraternite Matin quotes Rosen as saying after he was "decorated" by Gbagbo during the ceremony marking the celebration of Cote d’Ivoire’s independence day.

August 9, 2007

1. The identification scheme is the major issue in today’s Ivoirian newspapers, as the Ivoirian authorities yesterday set up a committee whose role is to see to the implementation of this program designed to provide Ivoirian with "birth certificates".

2. "The Prime Minister hopes that the identification process would enable the organization of upcoming elections," writes the state-owned daily Fraternite Matin. Soro, speaking yesterday to the newspaper during the inauguration of this committee, said: "The presence of all political divides in this working group is to guaranteeing the transparency of the process and to sensitize the different political parties in conformity with the Ouagadougou Agreement."

3. According to the paper, this committee, which will be "chaired by the Prime Minister," was created on June 29 by an order "signed by him". The decision, explained the paper, "outlines the responsibilities, composition, and functioning of the committee on the identification and voters’ registration programs."

4. In a front-page story, Le Patriote, a daily close to the opposition RDR party, tells readers that, "Soro’s top priority is to successfully complete the identification program and organize of the upcoming elections." Regarding the "modus operandi of how to conduct the identification and the electoral process," the paper suggests, "Soro disagrees with Gbagbo."

5. In a related development, the paper quotes the former UN Special Representative in-charge of Elections in Cote d’Ivoire, as saying, "He [Gbagbo] won’t stand for elections, unless he is sure to win them." According to the paper, Gerard Stoudmann "disapproves off" the United Nations’ decision suspending the post of its representative in-charge of elections.

6. "No certificate of nationality will be issued during the identification process," L’intelligent d’Abidjan, the privately-owned daily, quotes Soro as saying. The Ivoirian Premier reportedly said: "My mission is to make sure that coming elections are undisputable."

7. As Ivoirian authorities are pushing hard for the beginning of the identification, Le Temps, a daily close to Gbagbo, explains to readers, "How the public hearings will be conducted, how to obtain the certificate of nationality, and who is an Ivoirian." In a two-page in-depth report, the paper outlines measures that have been put in place to "controlling and securing the process."

8. "There won’t be elections in December," says a front-page story in Nord-Sud Quotidien, a daily close to the opposition. The paper comments: "Beyond President Laurent Gbagbo’s political calculation to organize upcoming poll by December this year, the volume of works to be done before the poll shows that it’s technically impossible to organize the elections."

9. The paper wonders, "How will it be possible to organize elections that respond to international standard, when the problems pertaining to the electoral process, finance of the peace process, identification scheme, dismantlement of the militia groups, and disarmament of the ex-combatants have not yet been resolved."

10. A banner headline that runs across 24 Heures, a daily close to the opposition, says, "Six after its signing, the Ouagadougou Agreement is suffering from ‘Kwashiorkor’." The paper publishes excerpts of the deal outlining "the calendar for its full implementation."

11. In a separate development, L’inter reports that efforts are underway for "a new rapprochement between Cote d’Ivoire and France." According to the privately-owned daily, "President Gbagbo is expected in Paris in October this year to meet French new elected President Nicholas Sarkozy."

12. Finally, a front-page story in Le Nouveau Reveil, says, "Government’s hospitals are crippled, as health workers are staging a national strike to press for salary increases."

August 8, 2007

1. Today’s Ivoirian papers critically look at Gbagbo’s address on the eve Cote d’Ivoire’s Independence Day. Commentaries also say the celebration showed signs of renewed unity in this West African State after four years on political crisis.

2. A banner headline that runs across the state-owned daily, Fraternite Matin, says, "Soldiers from both Cote d’Ivoire National Armed Forces and New Forces Armed Forces marched side by side in various cities of the country to mark the Independence Day." The paper publishes pictures of the Ivoirian President Laurent Gbagbo shaking hands with top military brass including former New Forces’ leaders at the forecourt of the Presidential Palace in Abidjan. It comments, "The celebration of the Independence Day has showed signs of renewed unity amongst Ivoirians."

3. Gbagbo, speaking in a televised address on the eve of the celebration, is quoted as saying, "I want presidential elections to be held by this December." "I want free, transparent and open elections," Gbagbo is reported as saying.

4. As soldiers from both Cote d’Ivoire National Armed Forces and New Forces Armed Forces took part in the military parade organized as part of the Independence Day, Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a daily close to Gbagbo, says the former enemies signed "the reunification of the national army."

5. "Presidential elections are possible in December," writes Notre Voie, a daily close to the ruling FPI party.

6. According to Nord-Sud Quotidien, a daily close to the opposition, "The big surprise of the celebration came as 60 commandos from the New Forces stole the show at the Presidential Palace, while the Ivoirian Chief of Staff and a New Forces’ commander displayed their new ranks during the ceremony marking the Independence Day."

7. Reacting to Gbagbo’s decision to "hold presidential elections by December this year," a leading Ivoirian opposition leader is quoted as saying, "It’s the Independent Electoral Commission to propose a date for the poll."

8. Le Nouveau Reveil, a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party, says, "Gbagbo has ‘torn’ to pieces the Ouagadougou Agreement." It also describes Gbagbo’s address as "an electoral trap."

9. "Gbagbo wants to thwart the Ouagadougou Agreement," says a front-page story in Le Patriote, a daily close to the opposition RDR party. The paper critically looks at Gbagbo’s address pointing out that, "The President has a hidden agenda." Regarding the public hearings, Le Patriote says, "He [Gbagbo] has created a new crisis."

10. It quotes the Ivoirian leader as saying, "…The public hearings will be used to issue birth certificates. They will be used just for that. The holding of the public hearings will therefore not be the place to call on the populations to come and apply for certificates of nationality. For not having taken that into account the first time, for having wanted to give the public hearings an objective other than that provided for by the law, the public hearings operation failed."

11. 24 Heures, the daily close to the opposition comments, "Gbagbo took Soro [the Ivoirian Prime Minister] by surprise." It also quotes Gerard Stoudmann, the former UN Special Representative in-charge of Elections in Cote d’Ivoire, as saying, "Winning the upcoming presidential elections is for Gbagbo a question of political survival."

12. A front-page story in Le Jour Plus, says Gbagbo is preparing what the paper calls "another disastrous elections." In a separate development, the daily close to the opposition, quotes excerpts of a report documented by Human Right Watch accusing Cote d’Ivoire of "gross human rights violations."

August 3, 2007

1. The French President Sarkozy’s phone call to his Ivoirian counterpart Gbagbo leads Friday’s Ivoirian press.

2. Notre Voix, a privately-owned daily close to the ruling party FPI, Le Courrier d’Abidjan and Le Temps, privately-owned dailies close to Mr. Gbagbo, quotes in their headlines President Gbagbo as saying : "Paris should stop interfering in our business". The paper reports that Mr. Gbagbo was angry about the way he as President has been treated by Mr. Sarkozy’s predecessor.

3. In more details, L’Inter, a privately-owned and independent daily, quotes President Gbagbo as saying that former President Chirac spoke to him as if he were a French sub-prefect. Mr. Gbagbo revealed in the paper that Mr. Chirac and Mr. De Villepin wanted to get rid of him.

4. Soir Info, a privately-owned and independent daily carries a banner headline saying that President Sarkozy called the President Gbagbo to congratulate and encourage him to continue implementing the Ouagadougou Peace Agreement after the Flame of Peace ceremony in Bouake.

August 2, 2007

1. President Gbagbo’s warm welcome at Gesco in Yopougon suburb and the press conference of the U.S. Ambassador in Cote d’Ivoire as he is leaving post are major news in Thursday Ivoirian press.

2. Le Temps, a privately-owned daily, close to President Gbabgo, carries in its headline a picture of a huge crowd acclaiming President Gbagbo as he was passing the Corridor of Yopougon. The paper headlines "triumphal return of the Woody"; Woody meaning brave man in local Bete language.

3. Le Patriote, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition RDR questions "who does not want elections in Cote d’Ivoire?" For the paper Mr. Gbagbo’s invitation to rapidly go to the elections at the Flame of Peace ceremony in Bouake is not sincere. The paper reads critics saying that President Gbagbo and his regime are the great beneficiaries in case there is no election in the coming years.

4. Le Jour Plus, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition, quotes in a banner headline Ambassador Hooks as saying : "Aubrey Hooks speaks to the Ivoirians." The paper cites the American diplomat as saying that Ivoirian should transform this flame of peace into a sustainable peace treasure.

5. After the memorable flame of peace ceremony in Bouake, Notre Voix, a privately-owned daily close to the ruling FPI, carries a banner headline as saying that Mr. Gbagbo was triumphantly welcomed at the Gesco corridor in Yopougon suburb. The paper also quotes the United States of America’s Ambassador as saying that the Ivoirian crisis is going to an end. As the Diplomat is leaving post, he has encouraged the Ivoirian leaders to walk hand in hand to a solid peace.

August 1, 2007

1. Comments about the Flame of Peace ceremony held on Monday July 30 in Bouake and reactions to the absence of political leaders Bedie, Ouattara, and Banny, lead today’s Ivoirian press.

2. After the memorable flame of peace ceremony in Bouake, Notre Voix, a privately-owned daily close to the ruling FPI, carries a banner headline as saying : "Elections now!" The paper also carries a picture of the Ambassador of the United States of America in Cote d’Ivoire, Mr. Aubrey Hooks, dancing with a traditional dancer. This was during the send-off party organized by the Embassy staff members in honor of Ambassador Hooks.

3. Nord-Sud, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition Forces Nouvelles, claims to know why opposition leaders Bedie, Ouattara and Banny did not attend the Bouake Flame of Peace ceremony. The Rally of Republican RDR spokesman Ally Coulibaly explained that they have sent representatives for their respective political parties.

4. In the same vain of the Bouake ceremony, Soir Info, a privately-owned and independent daily, reports in a banner headline that former Prime Minister Banny was not only out of the country but also did receive his official invitation letter only the day before the event.

5. L’Inter, a privately-owned and independent daily, claims to know the real reason why the President Compaore did not sending 150 men for the Prime Minister’s guard. The paper reports that the reaction of the Prime Minister’s spokesman has motivated the Burkina Faso’s Parliament to block the bill.

6. L’Intelligent, a privately-owned and independent daily, carries a banner headline quoting French authorities who stated that they were waiting to see what steps President Gbagbo will take next in the peace process. For them the August 6 presidential address is crucial. The paper also reports that the U.S. Embassy staff members in Abidjan organized a farewell party for Ambassador Hooks. The paper quotes the diplomat stating that Ivoirians are the warmest people he had ever met in 27 years of Public Diplomacy".