January 31, 2008

In today’s Ivorian press, the issuance of an international arrest warrant for former Sergeant Ibrahim Coulibaly, aka IB for coup plotting as well as elections and political activities by one of the opposition parties were the dominant topics. One paper also reported on Ambassador Lagon's recent visit to Cote d'Ivoire.

1. In Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): a banner headline said: "Police around the world are tracking down IB." According to the paper, the warrant to arrest IB is for "plotting a coup to destabilize Cote d’Ivoire." The paper said that the Ivorian military prosecutor, Colonel Ange Kessi has confirmed that the warrant was issued yesterday. The paper further explained that through this international arrest warrant, "the Ivorian martial court is allowing police anywhere in the world to find and to arrest IB."

2. Still on the subject of coup plotting, L’inter (a privately-owned daily) reported that ten people including two French nationals, three Ivorians, four Malians, one Gambian, were arrested and detained in a prison in Abidjan, a couple of weeks ago pending further investigations. According to the paper, IB, who was said that he would come back home next month and denied the allegations, saying that he had been "victim of a manipulation designed to prevent his return from exile." IB reportedly said, "I’ve never planned to foment a coup d’etat and I’m surprised by what is going on."

3. On elections, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party), reported that the French Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire, Andre Janier said, "It’s up to the Ivorian to fix the date of their elections." Janier said this after meeting President Laurent Gbagbo. The paper commented that, by making this statement, "The French Ambassador has reaffirmed Ivorian authorities’ full responsibility to fix a date for the forthcoming presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire." The language of the French diplomat, the paper further commented, is that "the fixing of a date for the Ivorian election is not the job of France." Notre Voie reminded readers that a few days ago French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said, "It is not serious if the presidential elections [in Cote d’Ivoire] are pushed back by a month or two."

4. In a commentary on the elections, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) reflected on whether the presidential elections are not "a lasting bomb." The commentary said that Gbagbo's constant reference to the mayhem unfolding in Kenya is a warning to his opponents.

5. As the congress of the RDR is set to start tomorrow, 24 Heures (a daily close to the opposition) suggested that the leader of this party, Alassane Dramane Ouattara will face five challenges. The paper hinted that days before the congress kicks off, Ouattara opened "the Pandora Box" in a bid to hear from the party’s grass root supporters. The move, commented the paper, was part of a political ruse that enabled the Ivorian opposition leader to listen to grievances from those militants who believed to have been abandoned by the leadership of the party.

6. A story in Fraternite Matin said that the leadership of the RDR party is gripped by "infighting" over executive positions in the party. According to the paper, "the battle" is not over the chairmanship of the party, because its mentor, Alassane Dramane Ouattara, is the only candidate vying for this position. According to the paper, the quarrel is about who takes the position of the secretary general, which is the number two position in the party’s chain of command.

7. In a separate development, Fraternite Matin informed readers that the new chairman of the board of directors of SNPECI – the publisher of the Cote d’Ivoire’s only state-owned daily, has assumed duty. According to the paper, Viviane Zunon-Kipre pledged to contribute her quota to peace and reunification. She also promised to respect the paper’s "neutral and impartial" editorial line in order to guarantee free access to information to all.

8. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (a privately-owned daily) reported on Ambassador Mark Lagon's the recent visit to Cote d’Ivoire. The paper said the Ambassador encouraged the Ivorian government to continue its efforts in the fight against trafficking in persons.

January 30, 2008

The upcoming three-day congress to be organized by the Rally for the Republicans – RDR, the opposition party led by Alassane Dramane Ouattara, the peace process, the scandal of the toxic wastes dumped in Abidjan in August 2006 and President Gbagbo’s visit to Gabon were the major items in today’s Ivorian press. 

1. “1994-2008, March towards Power, founding members of the RDR party who abandoned the party have sunk into oblivion” is the headline in Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition party - the Rally for the Republicans – RDR). The paper reports that the when RDR faced its first difficulties, some its prominent founding members left the party. Today, their political careers are falling in the grave and it is grief and regret for them as the party is marching toward power.

The paper also reported a short visit of President Gbagbo to the Gabonese President, Omar Bongo, on Tuesday in Libreville. After two years on bad terms starting when President Gbagbo asserted in a French newspaper that Bongo was a joker, relations between the two Presidents have been normalized now.

2. “Basile Mahan Gahé, Centrale Dignité Union Secretary General, accuses: Gbagbo’s friends will lose him support”, is the front page story in 24 Heures (a daily close to the opposition). The paper reported that the toxic waste dumped in Abidjan in August 2006 continues to kill people. Unions of workers who are victims of the toxic waste are not ready to give up. According to the paper, several workers in the port area are dying of the toxic waste. Some of those workers undertook a march on Monday in order to have the government of Cote d’Ivoire listen attentively to their problems. To their surprise, it was policemen who met them with real guns, tear gas and gendarmes with dogs to attack them. During a press conference to denounce the attitude of the security forces, Mahan Gahé, the Secretary General of the Central Dignité Union wondered: “Are we really in the country of Laurent Gbagbo? We will not accept that the workers be treated like animals”.

3. In Le Jour (a daily close to the opposition) a similar story on the toxic waste says that policemen shot protesters with real rifle bullets when workers were marching to protest against against the toxic waste’s effects. One of the labor union member said when he saw his fellow members said when he saw his fellow members covered in blood, he was told by a policeman that they have asked to deal ruthlessly with workers.
                                                             
4. The paper also reported an interview of Cherif Ousmane, a New Forces war lord. In that interview, Cherif Ousmane accused the Minister of Defense of doing nothing to solve the difficulties they are facing to regroup their soldiers. For him, the facilities are too small for the number of soldiers. The Minister of Defense, being the minister of all the soldiers, New Forces and Loyalists combined, should talk about these difficulties in order to find a way for a quick regrouping.

5. Soir Info (a privately-owned daily) headlines: “Probable delay of the presidential elections, the New Forces agree.”  The paper reported that further to the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bernard Kouchner’s statement last week in Ouagadougou saying that there is no problem if the presidential election in Cote d’Ivoire is postponed by one or two months, the director of communication of the New Forces told AFP, a French radio, that the reaction of Bernard Kouchner is for them a sign of realism. He also said: “At the beginning of the talks in Ouagadougou, we recommended a bit of realism. But some people then thought that the call for more time was because some politicians wanted to stay in power.”

The paper also reported on the visit of Gbagbo to Gabon to meet President Bongo whom he had not seen since 2005. According to the paper, the contentiousness between the two presidents was based on Gbagbo’s reproach that Bongo was supporting the French government’s position in the conflict and the RDR leader Alassane Ouattara.

6. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): The paper reported that Gbagbo’s travel to Gabon marks the normalization of relations between Cote d’Ivoire and Gabon. After two years of bad terms due to President Bongo’s position at the beginning of the crisis in Cote d’Ivoire, the two presidents have made peace now and have decided to promote diversification in bilateral cooperation.

7.  “Petrol production in Cote d’Ivoire, the U.S. prove that Gbagbo lies; here are the real figures of the United States Department of Energy” is the front page story in Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI). According to the paper, Ivorian authorities declare that 49,000 barils of petrol are produced daily. But according to the figures given by the U.S. Department of Energy, Cote d’Ivoire produces between 90,000 and 110,000 barils a day. That brings 300 billion CFA to the country. The same report was confirmed by UEMOA, the West Africa countries monetary Union in its 2006 report. The paper questions: “where does the money from the surplus of production go?

January 29, 2008

The peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire and the forthcoming presidential elections were the major items in today’s Ivorian press. Newspapers also carried pre-event stories on the upcoming three-day congress to be organized by the Rally for the Republicans – RDR, the opposition party led by Alassane Dramane Ouattara.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): The paper reported that in the wake of the meeting of the CPC – a committee of Ivorian political stakeholders overseeing the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement –, Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro and the UN boss in Cote d’Ivoire, Y.J. Choi met to discuss the financing of the DDR – disarmament, demobilization and reintegration program, as well as, the electoral process. Speaking after the meeting, Choi told reporters that "Peace and security" were also high on their discussions.

2. Soir Info (a privately-owned daily): In a front-page story, the former Ivorian President Henri Konan Bedie reportedly said that it would be possible to organize elections in Cote d’Ivoire without a total disarmament. The paper further quoted Bedie as saying: "We should recognize that there are many stumbling blocks on the way to peace. It is for that reason that we want to give priority to anything that concerns the election, because we think that this election will be one of the essential factors that could lead to peace."

3. In a related development, Soir Info carried a feature story explaining how the New Forces are "blocking" the peace process. The paper noted that the disarmament of combatants of the former rebel group and the redeployment of public services in the former rebel territories are yet to be completed. The paper asserted that the New Forces are just playing "delaying tactics." The paper concluded that "the delay on the part of the New Forces to implement the Ouagadougou Political Agreement is in total contradiction with the apparent enthusiasm being demonstrated by the political and the military leadership of the movement."

4. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (a privately-owned daily): The paper carried a prominent headline reading: "Bedie [Ivorian former President] accuses Gbagbo of blocking the peace process and the Ouagadougou Political Agreement." According to the paper, Bedie, who was talking to ONUCI-FM, the UN radio station in Cote d’Ivoire, expressed concerns about the implementation of this agreement. "There are still some sticking points, notably the terms of reference of SAGEM [a French firm that has been appointed to produce electoral lists for the upcoming elections in Cote d’Ivoire]."

5. With just a few months way for people to go to polls in Cote d’Ivoire, L’inter (a privately-owned daily) reported that authorities in the West African cocoa-rich country are concerned about the mayhem that is unfolding in Kenya after the controversial presidential elections in this eastern African state. The paper culled a story from the French weekly Jeune Afrique, which quoted President Gbagbo as saying: "Elections are not made to prepare a war. But elections are made to pre-empt a war." Gbagbo, who was addressing a rally, also warned: "Look at what is going on in Kenya. Ivorian political leaders should stop playing with tribalism… No ethnic group in Cote d’Ivoire can win an election."

6. As the RDR party is preparing for a three-day congress – set to begin on February 1, 2008 – ahead of the presidential elections, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition party - the Rally for the Republicans – RDR), devoted columns to the Ivorian opposition party and its leader Alassane Dramane Ouattara, one time Prime Minister. After calling Ouattara "a technocrat", the paper, told readers about Ouattara’s "immense contributions" to Cote d’Ivoire’s development. The paper concluded that "ADO" – as Ouattara is affectionately called – is the most marketable candidate for the race.

6. Speaking on the RDR’s political program, a leading member of the party told Fraternite Matin that the leadership will use the coming congress "to rejuvenate" the rank and file of the party. The congress will also elect a new leadership, notably its president, who will then name the party’s executive members, reported the paper.

January 28, 2008

Speculations on the change in date for the presidential elections; the cantonment of the ex-combatants, the disarmament of militia groups; as well as the launching of electric power lines between Cote d’Ivoire and Mali were featured in today’s newspapers.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): In a front-page story, the paper quoted French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner as saying, "It is not serious if the presidential elections are pushed back by a month or two." Kouchner reported the paper, was speaking yesterday in Ouagadougou, after talks with the Burkinabe leader, Blaise Compaore, who is also the facilitator in the Ivorian peace process. The French diplomat explained that "technical obstacles," which have been noted constitute the main reason for this delay. Elaborating on these "obstacles," the French Foreign Minister said: "People came of age since the establishment of last voters’ register" that was used during the 2000 polls.

2. In a long interview with Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA), the French Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire, Andre Janier, reportedly said that there is a need to organize "quickly" the upcoming elections, but they should not be organized under "any condition."

3. Meanwhile, 24 Heures (a daily close to the opposition), commented that the CPC – a committee of Ivorian political stakeholders overseeing the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement – was aware that it was "impossible" to hold elections in June in Cote d’Ivoire. The paper further commented that since 2005, the issue regarding the organization of presidential elections has become "an octopus exercise" in Cote d’Ivoire and wondered why the CPC tried to "hide the truth from the people." [Reminder – last Friday, the Press Review carried media reports on a meeting held in Ouagadougou, where political stakeholders - President Laurent Gbagbo, Prime Minister Soro Guillaume, the Ivorian former President Henri Konan Bedie and the Ivorian opposition figure, Alassane Dramane Ouattara – reportedly agreed to reduce the deadlines of several operations, including expediting the publication of the voters’ rolls from three months to one month and to begin, and the urgent completion of the identification and the registration of prospective voters on the electoral lists, so that elections can take place in June.]

4. On the front-page of Fraternite Matin, the Ivorian Defense Minister, Michel Amani N’Guessan, called upon the New Forces to quickly proceed to the "cantonment" of the soldiers. The paper recalled that the program aimed at regrouping former belligerents was launched on December 22, 2007. Almost a month after the scheme got underway, "the forces of defense and security [government forces] have successfully completed the cantonment of their soldiers," reported the state-owned daily. "While government forces respected the operational there is a status quo on the side of the New Forces," noted the paper. This, according to the paper, prompted the Ivorian Defense Minister, who was speaking last week, to express "concerns" about this state of affair. N’Guessan, reported the paper, used the occasion "to call upon the FAFN – New Forces Armed Forces – to quickly and fully apply the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, given the fact that conditions for their cantonment was agreed upon by consensus."

5. In a related development, the Coordinator of the disarmament program, Ouattara Daniel, in an interview, with Fraternite Matin said that "a program has been designed for the disarmament of the militia groups who fought alongside the government forces. This program mostly concerns groups based in the west of the country. Others will be systematically dismantled; most are youths who need to be cared for. The Integrated Command Center – a joint unit composed of government forces and New Forces – has been tasked to identify, to register and to disarm them."

6. In a separate development, Fraternite Matin reported that President Gbagbo and his Malian counterpart, Amadou Toumani Toure, launched construction of a power line in the northern city of Ferkessedougou on Saturday. According to the paper, the multi-billion-India-sponsored project will help export power to neighboring Mali. Speaking during the ceremony, Gbagbo urged his peers in the West African region to come out with "a common power policy" in order to ensuring a lasting economic development in the region.

January 25, 2008

Reports on the meeting of the CPC – a committee overseeing the implementation of the Ouagadougou agreement - yesterday in Ouagadougou, the upcoming presidential election, and rumors of the coup d’etat dominate today’s Ivorian newspapers.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): The paper reported that the meeting of the CPC yesterday in Ouagadougou was designed to evaluate the Ouagadougou Agreement. President Laurent Gbagbo and Prime Minister Soro Guillaume attended the meeting. The Ivorian former President Henri Konan Bedie and Alassane Dramane Ouattara, an Ivorian opposition figure, were also in attendance. According to the paper, all the parties agreed to reduce the deadlines of several operations such as the publication of the voters’ rolls from three months to one month and to begin, as soon as possible, the identification and the registration of prospective voters on the electoral lists, so that elections can take place in June.

2. The paper also reported on the visit of Ambassador Mark Lagon, Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State, to Cote d’Ivoire to evaluate progress made in the fight against child labor and sexual exploitation. Talking about his meeting with Ivorian authorities, the paper reported that Ambassador Lagon had fruitful talks with the Ministers of Justice and Social Affairs. Ambassador Lagon later told the press that "my wish is that the Ivorian government works closely with the U.S. government," reported the paper.

3. The paper also reported that Cote d’Ivoire's new Ambassador to the United States, Charles Koffi, recently presented his credentials to President Bush. In his address, the new ambassador thanked the U.S. government for its support of Cote d’Ivoire during these past five years of crisis. He also called on the Bush administration to support post-conflict programs in Cote d’Ivoire.

4. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition): The paper reported that after a meeting with visiting Ambassador Lagon, the Ivorian Minister of Labor indicated that 3,150 billions CFA are needed to combat the scourge of child labor in Cote d’Ivoire. The money, explained the minister, will be used to reinforce the judiciary system, to finance studies on child labor, and to train children.

5. "Presidential election: all the leaders will be candidates; the electoral list will be on internet; the deadline for the voters’ list will be reduced", read a front-page story in Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party). According to the paper, the main objective of yesterday’s Ouagadougou conclave was to speed-up the electoral process and to consolidate the peace process and national reconciliation in Cote d’Ivoire.

6. In a separate story, Le Patriote accused Gbagbo of trying "to control" the state-owned media. Commenting on the recent nomination of the new board of directors of the RTI -– the national television -- the paper alleged that "the board is dominated by Gbagbo’s henchmen."

7. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition), According to the paper, members of the CPC urged national and international media to support the peace process by refraining from anything that could inflame the situation and compromise the organization of the forthcoming presidential election.

8. L’inter (a privately-owned daily): A front-page story in this paper told readers about the ordeal of the wives of the three Ivorian nationals who were arrested in connection with a recent coup attempt allegedly planned by former army sergeant Ibrahim Coulibaly, aka IB. The paper quoted sources as saying that the Ivorian authorities are to launch an international warrant arrest against IB and his accomplices.

9. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI): The paper expressed concerns about the fact that the former Ivorian Chief of Defense, Gen. Mathias Doue, is still living in exile. The paper asserted that Doue refused to come back home because he betrayed the nation, when he led "Operation Dignité," which was designed by the Ivorian regime in November 2004 to liberate Cote d’Ivoire.

January 24, 2008

A pro-government Ivorian newspaper today reported that President George Bush congratulated his Ivorian counterpart Laurent Gbagbo and the Prime Minister Guillaume Soro for "the progress" made so far as part of the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. Papers also talked about the meeting of the CPC – a committee overseeing the implementation of this agreement – due to be held today in Ouagadougou. Corruption, pillage of state coffers, illicit enrichment in Cote d’Ivoire, as well as the American economy are other prominent issues that were highlighted in today's Ivorian newspapers.

1. With a picture of Bush and Ambassador Charles Yao Koffi – Cote d’Ivoire’s new Ambassador to US – on its front-page, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) carried a headline entitled: "George Bush congratulates Gbagbo and Soro." The paper published the full text of a statement issued by the embassy of Cote d’Ivoire in Washington, after Ambassador Charles Yao Koffi presented his credentials. According to the paper, "President Bush used this occasion to express his government’s firm support to the Ouagadougou Political Agreement." In the statement, Bush was quoted as saying: "This agreement made it possible to accomplish a giant stride in the resolution of the Ivorian crisis, with notably the formation of Transitional Government; suppression of the confidence zone; and gradual restoration of the state of law and public services throughout the country. We also congratulate you for your efforts aimed at preparing the upcoming elections. We note with satisfaction the organization of the audiences foraines [public identity hearings], the effective beginning of the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of ex-combatants. The American Government encourages the Ivorian Government to continue its efforts for the full application of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement… For it is vital for the United States to see Cote d’Ivoire play its role in the sub-region."

2. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): The paper devoted two pages to the ongoing global economic recession, which it said was caused by "American property crisis." According to the paper, this financial turbulence started in 2006, and it was only last year that the world realized the existence of this disaster. The paper then wondered about the future of the economies in Africa. It quoted Claude Adou, a finance expert, as saying, "This crisis is affecting stock markets worldwide. But for the mean time, African stock markets have been spared from this crisis because they have no problems."

3. On the debate on the state of corruption, pillage of state coffers, and illicit enrichment in Cote d’Ivoire, L’intelligent d’Abidjan (a privately-owned daily) quoted Gbagbo, as saying "there are some people who were miserable, but suddenly became rich." According to the paper, the president said this yesterday to RTI- Cote d’Ivoire’s national television – after the continuing New Year’s messages ceremony.

4. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) presented President Gbagbo's elaboration of "his philosophy" to stamp out embezzlement, impunity, and theft from his country. Gbagbo is quoted as saying: "My role does not consist of warning anybody. At this moment, my priority is the peace process. People who are stealing are not necessarily my companions. I see a lot of stealing. And I want to tell you that many people will be tried. For the moment, we’re heading slowly towards the end of the crisis."

5. L’inter (a privately-owned daily): The paper told readers that Ivorian political stakeholders are set for "a crucial meeting," as the CPC – a committee overseeing the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement – is due to gather today in Ouagadougou. The paper quoted the Burkinabe Foreign Affairs Minister, Djibril Bassole, who, said: "We’ve reached a turning point which includes the preparation of the elections. It’s therefore appropriate for the Ivorian political stakeholders to meet in order to present their views on the electoral process."

6. In another story, L’inter reported that a leading Ivorian political figure expressed "skepticism" on the possibility to organize presidential elections tentatively slated for June this year. The paper quoted Laurent Dona Fologo, President of the Economic and Social Council, as saying: "The decision to hold the polls in June is not a gospel, it’s a political agreement. If conditions are not met, there would be no elections in June. I’d suggest that all conditions are met…" Among these conditions include: "Accurate and transparent electoral rolls that could be controlled by all parties, and a successful identification process," the paper quoted Fologo as saying.

January 23, 2008

Today, several papers reported on the visit of Ambassador Mark Lagon, Director of the US State Department’s Office to monitor and combat trafficking in persons to Cote d’Ivoire. Meanwhile, the recent rumors of a coup d’etat continue to dominate the Ivorian press. The papers also reported on the country’s socio-political situation as well as the state of the country’s coffee and cocoa sector.

1. Several dailies, including Le Nouveau Reveil and 24 Heures, informed readers about the visit of Ambassador Mark P. Lagon, Director of the U.S. State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. Using information from a US Embassy Abidjan Press Release on the visit, the papers reported on the duration of the visit and explained that Ambassador Lagon is visiting Abidjan "to consult with senior government officials and non-governmental leaders regarding the progress Cote d’Ivoire has made in combating trafficking in persons for the purposes of child labor and sexual exploitation."

2. On the continuing rumors of a coup d’etat, a prominent headline in Le Jour Plus (a pro-opposition newspaper) said "the hideout" of the exiled former sergeant Ibrahim Coulibaly, aka IB, has finally come to light. [On January 8, Cote d’Ivoire’s top military prosecutor, Colonel Ange Kessi, opened a case against IB, who is accused of plotting a coup. But IB strongly denied that he planned to overthrow the Ivorian government.] The paper hinted that Ben Rassoul Timite, head of IB’s private cabinet, is actually in Dakar, Senegal, where he has been living for almost a week now. According to the paper, Timite explained that his visit to Dakar is "to meet Ibrahim Coulibaly." He also said that he will "use the opportunity to meet the leadership of UNIR [Union Nationale des Ivoiriens du Renouveau] a political party that my boss (Ibrahim Coulibaly) is the founder." Timite is also quoted as saying, "IB left Dakar just after our meeting."

3. Still on the controversy over the alleged plan designed by IB to oust the regime in Cote d’Ivoire, Le Temps (a pro-Gbagbo newspaper) told readers that the spokesperson of the New Forces, Sidiki Konate, denied recent reports in a local daily that one of Gbagbo’s aid, who is also the Interior Minister in the current administration, Desire Tagro, met with IB in the neighboring Ghana.

4. The alleged coup-d’etat came to the fore again yesterday during a press conference at Licorne’s [French troops in Cote d’Ivoire] headquarters in Abidjan. L’inter (a privately-owned daily) quoted Gen. Bruno Clement-Bollée, Commander of Licorne, as saying: "We’ve no information about this issue, and really, I’ve no interest in this. I also got the information through your newspapers that allegedly reported that his [IB] men had colluded with us."

5. On security, Fraternite Matin said that Gen. Clement-Bollée, who was addressing a press conference yesterday in Abidjan, said: "The security has improved remarkably in Cote d’Ivoire." According to the paper, the French military commander ruled out any situation where the whole country could be confronted with acts of violence. Clement-Bollée reportedly said "there are signs that Cote d’Ivoire is set to become a violence-free country, because everybody is fed up." The paper said Clement-Bollée explained that "this improving security" on the ground had resulted in the reduction of the French troops in Cote d'Ivoire from 2,400 to 1,800. The paper also said that Gen. Clement-Bollée pointed out that "this decision was mostly motivated by the withdrawal of government and New Forces’ soldiers from the frontlines." In his explanation, Clement-Bollée emphasized that "the missions of Licorne [in Cote d’Ivoire] remain unchanged and that though the troops have been reduced, Licorne will continue to support the UNOCI [UN Operation in Cote d’Ivoire] and the Ouagadougou Political Agreement."

6. In another banner headline, Fraternite Matin reported that the Ivorian Roman Catholic Clerics are "angry" after taking a critical look at the current socio-political situation in Cote d’Ivoire. According to the paper, this pronouncement was made at a gathering of the clerics in the northern city of Ferkessedougou. While denouncing what they termed as "illicit enrichment, corruption, hypocrisy, and double standard posture of Ivorian political leaders," the clerics expressed "optimism" as to the successful completion of the peace process ongoing in Cote d’Ivoire. However, they cautioned that for this to become a reality "each Ivorian, people living in and friends of Cote d’Ivoire should be firmly committed to contribute its success."

7. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition): The paper announced the proposed salary increase for Ivorian members of Parliament and Social and Economic Council and denounced this decision saying that "while politicians are amassing wealth, the people are getting poorer."

8. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI) devoted its front page to what it called "the total mess" in which the Ivorian cocoa and coffee sector has been plunged. According to the paper, "a power struggle" is opposing leaders of the BCC (cocoa and coffee marketing body).

January 22, 2008

The peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire, the upcoming presidential elections – tentatively planned for June 2008 --, and the continuous rumors of coup d’etat, are the major issues in today’s Ivorian press.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned newspaper): A front-page story in this paper said that President Laurent Gbagbo reassured Ivorians and the international community that the presidential elections will be held in 2008. According to the paper, Gbagbo was speaking yesterday in Abidjan as he received New Year’s greetings from Ivorian government officials and the diplomatic community in Cote d’Ivoire. The paper published the full text of Gbagbo’s speech. Gbagbo told those gathered the following - "Let me repeat before you what I already said in my end-of-year state address: We can organize elections earlier in June 2008. I want to ask all the countries and organizations that you represent to help us to take up the challenge, which is realistic because it shows the willingness of a whole nation."

3. Gbagbo also told military officers attending this ceremony that "your new responsibility is to support the peace process until it’s completed," Fraternite Matin quoted the Ivorian leader as saying. Reacting to Gbagbo’s pronouncement, Cote d’Ivoire’s army boss, Maj. Gen. Philippe Mangou, said: "You can count on forces of defense and security to face the challenges to come up in 2008." The paper also commented that "the defense and security forces are committed to sacrifice themselves to protect the Ouagadougou Political Agreement."

4. Speaking at the ceremony on behalf of the diplomatic corps, the Roman Catholic Apostolic Nuncio, Mario Roberto Cassari, said: "We’re all witnesses of the immense progress that Cote d’Ivoire is making to establishing peace and national reconciliation. It’ll be regrettable to stop this process or to bury those unique chances of reconstruction, unification of the national territory, reconciliation, and mutual pardon, since our task is to change the situation positively with determination and humility," reported Fraternite Matin.

5. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI): In a prominent item, the paper said the former ruling PDCI-RDA party "boycotted" the ceremony.

6. Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party): The paper reported that leaders of the Rally of the Houphouetists for Democracy and Reconciliation (RHDP) – an opposition coalition – met yesterday "to harmonize their views" ahead of the 2nd meeting of CPC [a body overseeing the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement], which is planned to be held in Ouagadougou on January 24. According to the paper, the former Ivorian president, Henri Konan Bedie and Alassane Dramane Ouattara, the Ivorian opposition figure attended the meeting.

7. L’inter (a privately-owned daily): The paper commented that the situation on the ground shows that the Ouagadougou Political Agreement has been delayed. According to the paper, the government administrations tasked to collect taxes in the zones formerly under the control of the New Forces are yet to be deployed.

8. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a pro-opposition newspaper): The paper reported that the exiled former sergeant Ibrahim Coulibaly, aka IB, has been expelled from his party for his "alleged implication in a coup d’etat." The paper published a statement issued by UNIR [Union Nationale des Ivoiriens du Renouveau] in which the party’s leadership "strongly dissociate itself from such an adventure."

January 18, 2008

Today, the Ivorian press reported on the arrest of people charged with plotting against the state and the selection of an Ivorian national as the new governor of the West African States Central Bank.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) carried a front-page story, which said that authorities in Cote d’Ivoire have charged people with "plotting against the state." According to the paper, an announcement about these charges was made yesterday during a press conference in Abidjan by the state prosecutor, Tchimou Raymond Fehou. Ten people including two French nationals, three Ivorians, four Malians, one Gambian, have been reportedly arrested and detained in a prison in Abidjan, pending further investigations. The paper said that though the prosecutor refused to reveal the names of those arrested, the paper intimated that a well informed source identified one of the French nationals as Paul Nay, a 31-year-old journalist and the other one is a 43-year-old businessman with dual citizenship (French and Ivorian), who is based in Abidjan.

2. Fraternite Matin also credited an unnamed official source on the report that Nay, one of the Frenchmen arrested was nabbed on December 27, 2008 right in front of the office of RTI – Cote d’Ivoire National Television in Abidjan – where he was waiting to watch an episode of a live scenario of a coup-d’Etat. The paper also quoted the state prosecutor as saying that the journalist was arrested together with an Ivorian, who was "holding a gun." According to the paper, the prosecutor said that the investigation that was carried out by state intelligence (counter-espionage) led to the discovery of "video tapes and other items that are serving for a criminal case."

3. In a related development, Fraternite Matin recalled that about ten days ago, Cote d’Ivoire’s military prosecutor, Colonel Ange Kessi, opened a case against exiled former sergeant Ibrahim Coulibaly, aka IB, who is accused of plotting a coup. The paper also indicated that in late December last year, the New Forces [the former Ivorian movement] accused IB of trying to stage a coup by launching "simultaneous attacks on Bouake [New Forces stronghold] and the country’s capital Abidjan on December 27."

4. L’inter (a privately-owned daily): The paper carried excerpts of a video entitled: "Coup d’Etat of IB: How IB plans to seize power?" According to the paper, the nearly 40 minutes video explains how "The coup that IB and his acolytes have been accused of preparing against state institutions."

5. Meanwhile, Le Rebond (a daily close to the opposition), questioned the credibility of these videos. The paper commented that "since late December 2007, a purported coup attempt masterminded by Sergeant Ibrahim Coulibaly has become a major issue in the Ivorian media. In an attempt to prove the truth, detractors of IB have produced a film as evidence. Nevertheless, the quality and authencity are in doubt."

6. 24 Heures (a daily close to the opposition) reported that West African leaders meeting in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso picked Philippe-Henri Dakoury-Tabley, an Ivorian, as the new governor of the West African States Central Bank, instead of the Ivorian Minister for Planning and Development, Paul Antoine Bouabre, a man who was widely believed to get the job. According to the paper, "This decision was a big blow for Gbagbo." The paper suggested that Bouabre lost the battle because he was not the right man. The paper also believed that the position of the governor of the bank has now become rotating, and hence after six years, Cote d’Ivoire will lose the post.

7. "The rotation will begin in six years," Fraternite Matin quoted the Burkinabe President Blaise Compaore as saying. Reacting after the election of Philippe-Henri Dakoury-Tabley, a 60-year banker, as the new governor of the West African Bank Gbagbo said: "I’m happy that Cote d’Ivoire has secured the post," reported the paper.

8. In a separate development, Sidiki Konate, the spokesperson of the New Forces was quoted by Fraternite Matin as saying that "5,000 ex-combatants from the New Forces will join the new army in Cote d’Ivoire."

January 16, 2008

1. Reports in today’s Ivorian press focused on the West African leaders’ summit, which is scheduled to start tomorrow in Ouagadougou; the case of the Ivorian exiled former sergeant Ibrahim Coulibaly, alias IB; and the renewal of UN peacekeeping mandate in Cote d’Ivoire for six months.

2. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): The paper reported that President Laurent Gbagbo flew to Ouagadougou yesterday to attend two West African Head of States Summits slated for January 17-18 in the Burkinabe capital. According to the paper, African leaders will try to elect two governors for the West African States Central Bank and the West African Development Bank. The Ivorian Minister for Planning and Development, Paul Antoine Bouabre, is one of the candidates vying for the post of the head of the West African States Central Bank, reported the paper. Gbagbo and his peers, the paper further commented, will also work on new strategies aimed at revamping the region’s integration policy, and building sound and strong financial and banking institutions.

3. Fraternite Matin also reported that the issue of security – especially the situation in Cote d’Ivoire -- will be high on the agenda during the West African leaders’ meeting in Ouagadougou. According to the paper the discussions will also "examine the situation in northern Mali and Niger, where Touareg rebels are very active against legitimate regimes."

4. In a lead story, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) reported that in a bid to have Paul Antoine Bouabre as the boss of the West African States Central Bank, Gbagbo proposed "a deal" to Compaore [Burkinabe president]. According to the paper, the Ivorian leader is seeking the support of his Burkinabe counterpart in the battle over who leads the bank. In return, Gbagbo would lobby for Compaore to enable him to secure a second term as the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States.

5. In a front-page story, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) said the Security Council has extended the mandate of La Licorne [French troops] and the UN peacekeeping troops in Cote d’Ivoire until July 30 in efforts to consolidate the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. According to the paper, the French-drafted Resolution said the move is "to support the organization of free, open, fair and transparent elections within the time frame set out in Cote d’Ivoire." The paper further commented that through this Resolution, France has decided to make "a come-back" in the peace process underway in this West African country.

6. Still on the UN’s role in Cote d’Ivoire, but with a different take, a prominent headline in Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) said: "Elections in Cote d’Ivoire: UN will control everything."

7. The former sergeant Ibrahim Coulibaly, alias IB, is the main subject on the front-page of L’inter (a privately-owned daily). According to the paper, Coulibably, who is currently under investigation for allegedly plotting a coup, again vowed "to overthrow the Gbagbo regime." According to the paper, a video entitled: "Christmas in Abidjan: IB announces the end of road for Gbagbo," was published on internet yesterday.

8. Commenting on recent developments in Cote d’Ivoire, Patrick N’Goan, an Ivorian human activist told Nord-Sud Quotidien that "Impunity and corruption are worst than tribalism." Apparently reacting to Gbagbo’s plan "to pass a law to fight tribalism, racism and xenophobia in Cote d’Ivoire," N’Goan -- Chairman of the Ivorian League of Human Rights (LIDHO) --, suggested that "the existing laws should be applied."

January 15, 2008

1. The third meeting of the Evaluation and Support Committee [CEA] of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, which took place in Ouagadougou yesterday, was the major subject in today’s Ivorian press. Papers also critically looked at the recent visit of President Laurent Gbagbo to the eastern regions, where he spoke on the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire.

2. Fraternite Matin: The meeting of the Committee of Ivorian political stakeholders, designed to assess the peace process in this West African country, is a subject of a banner headline in the state-owned daily newspaper. "With six months to go to polls, Compaore [Burkina Faso President and also mediator in the Ivorian peace process] is trying to set the record straight," writes the paper. The paper carried the full text of the final communique released yesterday at the end of the day-long consultation chaired by President Compaore.

3. Excerpts of the Communique said: "Regarding the identification process, the Committee expressed satisfaction on the planned deployment of public hearings teams. On the electoral process, the Committee welcomed the new date set for elections by the third additional accord of 28 November, as well as the appointment of a technical operator to carry out identification and registration on the electoral register. The mediator expressed the wish that the UN would collaborate with the government to set the parameters and adopt the procedure for the certification of the electoral process. On security issues, the mediator called on the UN to revise the security index enforced in Cote d’Ivoire. In a bid to ensuring a peaceful presidential election, he [the mediator] appealed to the signatories to the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, to the entire Ivorian political class and to the national and international press to strictly abide by the code of good conduct contained in the accord."

4. The Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, speaking at the Ouagadougou meeting, was quoted by Fraternite Matin as saying: "We acknowledge that much progress has been made, but now we enter a delicate and important phase with the elections."

5. Still on recommendations made during the Ouagadougou meeting, L’inter (a privately-owned daily) reported that the mediator has solved the issue regarding the ranks conferred on New Forces soldiers by their boss, Guillaume Soro.

6. Meanwhile, L’intelligent d’Abidjan (a privately-owned daily) told readers a different story. It said: "Compaore could not settle the issue pertaining to the ranks of the New Forces soldiers." The paper quoted the communique as saying, "The facilitator briefed participants at the meeting on the proposals he had submitted to the signatories to the Ouagadougou Political Agreement for the final settlement of issues pertaining to integration quotas for New Forces elements in the new national army, and the ranks of the New Forces soldiers."

7. In the wake of Gbagbo’s four-day official visit to the eastern regions of Cote d’Ivoire, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) called the tour "an electoral campaign." According to the paper, the Ivorian leader is "threatening" his opponents ahead of the presidential election billed for June 2008. It also asserted that Gbagbo has been "inspired" by what it called "Kibaki [Kenyan president]-style-hold-up." The paper further published a list of Gbagbo’s civilian and military cabinet members and then concluded that "When it comes to issues pertaining to tribalism and xenophobia, Gbagbo is not the right person to give advice."

8. In another development, L’inter reported in a front-page item that a group of members of the ruling FPI party are planning to create a movement called "La Racine or The Root." The paper quoted the architects of La Racine saying that the movement forms part of the FPI party.

9. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI): In a two-page report, the paper provided readers with "ideas" on "how to get rid of exiled former sergeant Ibrahim Coulibaly, alias IB," who is accused of plotting a coup. The paper recalled that Cote d’Ivoire’s top military prosecutor, Colonel Ange Kessi, opened a case against Coulibaly. However, "This is not enough," commented the paper saying that "the government should handle the case of IB as a state affair in order to prevent that it derails the peace process."

January 14, 2008

1. In today’s editions, Ivorian papers reported on President Gbagbo’s signing of a decree appointing the French firm, SAGEM, as the responsible body to identify the Ivorian electorate and produce voter lists. Papers also reported on a meeting scheduled for today by Ivorian political stakeholders in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso to assess the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement; and the President’s pronouncement on passing a law to fight tribalism, racism and xenophobia in Cote d’Ivoire, during his visit in eastern part of the country.

2. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): The paper carried the full text of a decree signed yesterday by Gbagbo to officially appoint SAGEM, a French firm, which has been tasked to produce identity cards and establish a new electoral roll in the perspective of the upcoming elections in this West African country. According to the decision, "the French technical operator will execute its mission in conformity with the Ouagadougou Political Agreement." The paper also reported that decree says that the Prime Minister (Head of the Government) is tasked "to see to the execution of this decision."

3. Still on this decree, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA) quoted a government official as saying: "This decision is a sign that State’s high authorities (the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister) are fully committed to advance the peace process that includes the identification and registration of voters as part of the efforts to organize free, open, transparent and democratic elections."

4. As Ivorian political stakeholders are set to meet today in Ouagadougou, to assess the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said "the security issue will be high on the agenda." In addition, the paper suggested that this meeting will seek to evaluate the implementation of the Ouagadougou Supplement Agreements that establish, among other things, "a clear and concise calendar" including tasks to be carried out as part of preparation of upcoming presidential elections in June 2008. According to the paper, these tasks include the DDR (disarmament, demobilization and reintegration) program as well as the redeployment of government administrations throughout the country. The paper also said that the recent reports of alleged coups designed to derail the peace process should be high items of security concern on the part of the mediator (President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso.) It is in this context that it suggested that the mediation should try to address this issue in order to create an atmosphere conducive to peace and stability necessary for the organization of the forthcoming elections.

5. According to Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party), the party of Ivorian opposition figure Alassane Dramane Ouattara is also concerned about the transparency of the coming elections. During a meeting of RDR’s executives over the weekend, Ouattara said: "The transparency of the polls depends mostly on the willingness of the opposition groups to pre-empt any fraud that could scar the elections," reported the paper. The paper further quoted the opposition figure as saying, "The government and the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) have an important role to play in order to guarantee free and fair elections." Ouattara, reported the paper, also believed that "the transparency of the elections depends on the UN boss in Cote d’Ivoire, who has been tasked to certify the electoral process, and also on the representative of the mediator, whose role is to arbitrate and settle electoral disputes."

6. Reporting on Gbagbo’s official visit to the eastern regions of the country, Fraternite Matin said the Ivorian president promised "to pass a law to fight tribalism, racism and xenophobia in Cote d’Ivoire." Addressing a rally, Gbagbo warned the gathering about "tribalism," which he said is "dangerous" especially for the youths.

January 11, 2008

1. The presidential primaries in the United States and President Laurent Gbagbo’s official visit in the eastern regions of Cote d’Ivoire are the major stories in today’s dailies. The papers also reported on the status of the UN’s peacekeeping mission in Cote d’Ivoire.

2. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): In a full page editorial titled "The fear of change," the paper talked about Barack Osama’s candidacy for President of the United States, particularly focusing on his race and his win in the Iowa primary. According to the editorial, the Y2K computer bug, which according to predictions should have disrupted computer systems globally but did not, is now taking place in the politics of the United States. "The ‘Obamania,’ which has taken grip of Americans, is a sign of a revolution that has virtually changed habits and beliefs." "Barrack Obama, a mixed-raced American – whose father is a Kenyan and mother a white American from Kansas --, is not running for presidency just to clown around and to keep up the appearances." The editorial continued on to say that Obama "epitomizes youth and change; he represents a symbol of change." He is "a serious candidate" for the Democrat Party and it is clear that his rival, New York’s Senator and former first-lady, Hillary Clinton is beginning "to doubt" her chances. The paper concluded that Americans are preparing for "a crucial event" this year. It predicts that Americans would have the choice to either elect for the first time in the history of their country "a black… and white – Barrack Hussein Obama" or "a woman – Hillary Rodham Clinton" as their new President. The paper asserts that it is from this political fever and this "perpetual challenge" that the United States finds "forces and resources" that enable it to maintain its leadership as the "world superpower."

3. Reporting on the US primaries from Washington DC, Fraternite Martin’s correspondent's story - "The marathon for presidency has begun, and is full of surprises" - had juxtaposed pictures of Clinton and Obama. The report said that that in Iowa, against all predictions, Obama defeated Clinton; however, five days later Clinton fought back to win the primaries in New Hampshire. The report further explained America's "long" electoral process, which will continue till next November, to be culminated by the presidential elections.

4. On Cote d’Ivoire, Fraternite Matin reported on the visit of President Gbagbo to the eastern regions of the country. In a front page story, the paper reported on the President’s stance on issues that "plague" his regime. According to the paper, the president denounced "corruption, tribalism, and pillage of State resources."

5. On the contrary, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) reported that as "embezzlement, corruption, killings and racketeering," are going on in the country, "Gbagbo has turned back to the people."

6. Reporting on the UN’s mandate in the country, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) said the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon recommended that the mandate for the 8,000-strong force, which is backed by 3,000-3,500 French troops, should be extended until January 15, 2009. Regarding the upcoming elections in Cote d’Ivoire, the paper quoted the UN Operation as saying, "UNOCI will be tasked to certify the polls."

January 10, 2008

1. The press in Cote d’Ivoire today reported on the two-day visit of U.S. Representative Eliot Engel, and Senators Thomas Harkin and Bernard Sanders to Cote d’Ivoire related to child labor in cocoa production. President Laurent Gbagbo’s official visit to the eastern region of the country is also a front-page item in the papers.

2. L’inter (a privately-owned daily) carried a picture of a group of children apparently in a cocoa farm with the headline - "The campaign against the child labor is a priority for the Ivorian authorities." Reporting on the 2-day visit of the U.S. Congressmen, the paper hinted that the American lawmakers want to set up a mechanism aimed at stamping out the child labor phenomenon in Cote d’Ivoire. It quoted the head of the Congressional delegation, Representative Engel, as saying, "We come as friends and not to judge anybody but to work together with the government here to find ways to fight child labor in the cocoa fields."

3. Engel, who was speaking in Abidjan after a meeting with Ivorian Prime Minister, also said that "for seven or eight years now we have implemented a protocol to eliminate this. We now have a deadline of July 1, 2008 for the implementation of an effective child labor monitoring system. The system is supposed to eliminate child labor in 50% of Cote d’Ivoire’s regions for growing cocoa beans," reported L’inter.

4. Nuit et Jour (a privately-owned daily): The paper carried a headline reading: "American lawmakers are pressing Ivorian authorities to meet July 1 deadline in implementing a system against child labor." The paper quoted Representative Engel as saying: "We are going to insist on the deadline… and we hope that shortly thereafter 100% of the industry here will be certified, that it is free of any child slave labor."

5. In a report in , Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party), the paper said, "A delegation of American lawmakers and the Ivorian government agreed on a strategy that would help eliminate the use of child labor in the cocoa plantations." "We want them to go to school," the paper quoted the head of the Congress delegation as saying.

6. In a related development, Notre Voie quoted the Ivorian Labor Minister, Hubert Oulaye, as saying, "Children do not constitute the essential labor force in the cocoa plantations." We cannot call this "child slavery," but rather "dangerous works for children," the Ivorian minister explained to the paper. "He also explained that studies are underway on how to save children from carrying heavy loads, using machetes and pesticides in the cocoa fields." The paper asserts that in case the US Congress delegation and the Ivorian authorities agreed on "the progress made" after the deadline, this would result in "the total lifting of the US-imposed embargo the Ivorian cacao since 2001."

7. In a front page story, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported that during President Gbagbo on-going official visit to the eastern regions of Cote d’Ivoire, he denounced "racketeering by the Ivorian defense and security forces." "Despite the fact that the resident permit was abolished, certain government officials – the police – continue to check it, making things difficult for travelers," the Ivorian leader was quoted as saying. The paper said, Gbagbo called on the heads of police service and the gendarmerie to put in place mechanisms that would prevent security officers from what he called "a breach to the law."

8. Fraternite Matin also reported the president’s comments on the current peace process. According to the paper Gbagbo told the gathering - "My priorities are peace and elections." Gbagbo also encouraged the people "to persevere." He said, "You supported me during 10 years, I was nothing. I used to come here and you made me become a President of the Republic. I’m sure you won’t spoil your 10-year effort."

January 7, 2008

1. The major stories in today’s papers focused on Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore’s (the key mediator in the Ivorian crisis) request for Cote d’Ivoire’s political stakeholders to meet in Ouagadougou, later this month; the arrest of a French journalist, who has been accused of security breach; and the efforts by Ivorian intelligence in tracking down Ibrahim Coulibaly, a former army sergeant, who is accused of having masterminded recent riots in Bouake, a New Forces’ stronghold.

2. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): In a headline story, the paper reported on President Blaise Compaore’s request. The paper said "in the perspective of the upcoming elections in Cote d’Ivoire, the mediator in the Ivorian crisis has called Ivorian political stakeholders for "two crucial meetings" slated for January 14 and January 24 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso." According to the paper, this announcement was made yesterday by the Burkinabe Foreign Affairs Minister, Djibril Bassole, after a meeting with President Laurent Gbagbo in Abidjan.

3. Fraternite Matin quoted Bassole as saying, "The Ouagadougou meetings are intended to assess the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, because we’ve now reached a critical phase, which is the preparation of the electoral process." According to the paper, Bassole also announced that he will be meeting with the Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro "probably" today, and he will also invite the Ivorian former President Henri Konan Bedie and Alassane Dramane Ouattara, leader of the opposition RDR party to this meeting.

4. In a separate but related story, Fraternite Matin reported on the Burkinabe Foreign Affairs Minister reaction to recent disturbances in Bouake in which Ibrahim Coulibaly, a former army sergeant and an arch-rival of Soro, stands accused. According to the paper, Bassole said, "It would be good if there could be a direct dialogue between the Secretary General of the New Forces – Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro – and Coulibaly aka IB."

5. The paper also reported that the Burkinabe Foreign Affairs Minister quickly injected caution as to whether "it was necessary today to engage a new negotiation at this level of the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire." The paper further quoted the Foreign Minister as saying "I think those who are willing to see peace and stability return to Cote d’Ivoire must get involved in the national dialogue between President Laurent Gbagbo and Prime Minister Guillaume Soro. I think if our brother IB is willing to take part in the peace process, the political process, it is advisable for him to take part in the current peace process."

6. Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) reported that Gbagbo’s intelligence is "hunting down" Ibrahim Coulibaly in both Benin and Ghana in connection with a recent aborted coup in Cote d’Ivoire.

7. On a security - related story, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported that "Jean-Paul Ney, a French journalist, who was arrested December 27, 2007 in Abidjan, is still in police custody pending investigations for an alleged security breach."

8. On the same subject in a front-page story, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) called the French journalist "a spy and a henchman of Ibrahim Coulibaly." The paper alleged that before his arrival in Cote d’Ivoire, Jean-Paul Ney and the Ivorian former army sergeant spent many days together in Cotonou, Benin.

9. Le Temps (a daily close to Gbagbo): In a front-page item, the paper reported on Gbagbo's stance on coup plotters. The paper said Gbagbo vowed at a political rally that "We shall fight coup plotters." According to the paper, Sidiki Konate, the spokesperson of the New Forces, who was also present at the rally, concurred by saying, "war is no more possible in Cote d’Ivoire."

January 3, 2008

1. The press in Cote d’Ivoire today reported on the upcoming visit of a US Congressional delegation in the country as part of a cocoa certification program designed to protect children working in the cocoa sector. The papers also reported on the pay-related and work conditions strike by workers of Cote d’Ivoire’s Coffee and Cocoa Bourse (BCC) and other workers in the cocoa industry. A few reports were about recent rebel incidents in Bouake

2. "Americans are expected in Cote d’Ivoire as part of the cocoa certification program," says a story in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily). According to the paper, the announcement was made yesterday in Abidjan by Acquah Assouan, Executive Secretary of a committee tasked to oversee the child labor issue in Cote d’Ivoire. The paper said the three-member delegation, which will be headed by Senator, Tom Harkin, will use the occasion to see realities on the ground, regarding the situation of children working in the cocoa plantations. According to the paper, "American lawmakers have expressed their wish to see for themselves how the protocol seeking to ban child labor in the cocoa sector has been applied on the ground."

3. Fraternite Matin also reported that at the initiative of two American congressmen, representatives of chocolate and cocoa companies signed an agreement called "Harkin-Engel Protocol," in September 2001. The aim of the Harkin-Engel Protocol is to eliminate the use of illegal child labor in the cocoa industry in West African countries. According to the paper, Cote d’Ivoire -- the world’s top cocoa producer – signed this protocol. The paper further commented that "Cote d’Ivoire is committed to fight the child labor phenomenon in the cocoa plantations."

4. On the same issue, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) reported that "The certification of the Ivorian cocoa production process must be done by Americans." The paper talked about the visit of the US Congressional delegation to Cote d’Ivoire from January 7-9, 2008. According to the paper, this is the first visit by a US delegation since the inception of the Harkin-Engel Protocol -- in a bid "to see realities on the ground." The paper also reported on the delegation’s agenda, which includes visits to some cocoa farms, a meeting with a local cocoa industry, a roundtable discussion with government and private institutions working in the sector, and meetings with President Laurent Gbagbo and Prime Minister Guillaume Soro.

5. In a related development, L’intelligent d’Abidjan (a privately-owned daily) reported that ASA [Afrique Secours Assistance] has called upon the Ivorian government to quickly pass the law banning child labor in Cote d’Ivoire, According to the paper, during a conference in Guiglo in western Cote d’Ivoire, representatives of ASA expressed concerns about the situation of children in Cote d’Ivoire. The paper also quoted ASA as saying that, "About 46 per cent of children in Cote d’Ivoire are victims of child labor."

6. In another development, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) said registrations of cocoa for export have been crippled, as workers in this sector are on strike. The paper also reported that the industrial action has seriously disrupted the cocoa business in Cote d’Ivoire. According reports, workers are demanding better pay and conditions and also changes in the senior management of institutions controlling the cocoa industry.

7. Meanwhile, Fraternite Matin reported that the new boss of the Coffee and Cocoa Bourse (BCC) is calling on the striking workers to end their action, which started on December 27, 2007. The call was made as the management and workers met to find solutions to their demands.

8. Finally, on a political issue, Fraternite Matin quoted the spokesperson of the New Forces as saying, "There is no room for coup d’Etat and rebellions in Cote d’Ivoire." According to the paper, Sidiki Konate was reacting to recent event in New Forces’ stronghold of Bouake where supporters of the former rebel leader Ibrahim Coulibaly known as "IB" were reported to have tried to stage a coup. The paper also published excerpts of a communique released by the New Forces in which the movement rejected "any killings in Bouake on December 27, 2007."

January 2, 2008

1. Destabilization in the New Forces zone and the killing taking place there these days, the beating of one of the leaders of young patriots and the end of year speech of President Gbagbo are the main topics in today’s press.

2. “The Head of State’s New Year message to Ivorians: “Let’s go to peace, let’s go to elections.” According to the paper, Gbagbo said in his speech that the Ouagadougou Agreement works well and will work well. Concrete actions show progress towards peace since the signature of that agreement. He wishes that 2008 be a peaceful year, a peace which guarantees the functioning of democratic institutions. He also invites all Ivorians to do everything they can to stop the crisis and build peace every day.

3. L’Inter (an independent daily): The paper runs a banner headline reading, “Destabilization in the New Forces zone, Soro from Bouaké: a coup d’etat is no longer possible; IB wants to cover his tracks.” According to the paper, after last week’s disturbances in Bouaké, Soro went there last Sunday to meet the population. In his address, he was quoted as saying: “New Forces’ main demands remain identification, and fair, free and transparent elections, as well as the installation of a new army for Cote d’Ivoire.” For him, it is no longer possible to have a coup d’etat in Cote d’Ivoire.

The paper also reports that Eugene Djué, one of the young patriots’ leaders, was beaten at President Gbagbo’s residence last Monday. Mr. Djué, who had an appointment, was refused access to the presidency three times during the day. Fed up with the behavior of the guards who obviously wanted to prevent him from seeing the President, he insisted and wanted to pass the security line when he was stopped. Despite the intervention of one of Gbagbo collaborators, the guards dragged him from his car and beat him, causing numerous injuries.

On another subject the paper reports on an article in the Financial Times titled: “When the Financial Times plays the prophet.” In the article, the Financial Times reportedly claims it predicted the election of Sarkozy and the sub-prime crisis. For 2008, the British daily names Hilary Clinton as the future president of the United States unless there is a big surprise.

4. “How I escaped from the death squad in Bouaké” is the headline of L’Intelligent d’Abidjan, (an independent daily): In an interview with Tango, an ex-combatant of the New Forces, he explained the killing occurring in Bouake in order to inform Ivorians and the international community at a time when the United Nations Operations in Cote d’Ivoire (ONUCI) is requesting an investigation and postmortem examination of the victims.  According to the paper, Tango is quoted as saying: “Since December 27, man hunting started in Bouake. At least 40 men supposed to be pro IB have been killed. People are kidnapped during the night and killed. The death squad is led by Ouattara Morou, Fofié Kouakou and Wattao’s supporters.”

5. In Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition): The paper carries a front-page story saying “After the ripples of soldiers and Dozos (traditional Hunters), a death squadron acts in Bouaké; the testimony of a survivor.” According to the paper, Tango states in the interview: “There has never been any attack in Bouaké. People accused of being IB supporters are kidnapped during the night and killed. The whole town is mourning and the man hunting continues. Traoré Seydou, alias Imam, who was killed last week fell into a trap. He had an appointment with Morou Ouattara, the war lord of Bouna. He was killed when he went to that appointment and 30 minutes later while we were waiting for him, armed men attacked our house and by the grace of God, I escaped.”

The paper also reports that Ibrahmin Coulibaly alias IB who is actually in Brussels accuses Soro Guillaume of being responsible for his own destabilization. According to IB, the latest events that occurred in Bouaké have been created by the New Forces in order not to go to disarmament of their ex-combatants. IB asked: “Is it I who tell them not to pay their soldiers? The ex-combatants are living in misery, is it I who tell them to ask for better living conditions? It is not I who ask the population not to pay the electricity and water bills while they don’t have jobs.” For IB the New Forces leaders are working against the Ouagadougou Agreement. They don’t want their elements to disarm because if they do so, they will be nothing.

6. “Tragic beginning of the year in Bondoukou: a grenade explodes, seven children killed and others injured” is the front page story of Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to RDR). According to the paper, a grenade exploded in a Koranic school. One witness said that in the absence of the teacher, the children were playing when a man on a moto gave them a package and told them that it was their end of year gift. One of the children opened it and the grenade exploded killing five of them right away and two others died at the hospital.

The paper also reports that Eugène Djué, one of the young patriot’s leaders, was beaten by soldiers at President Gbagbo’s residence last Monday when he went to honor an appointment with the President. According to the paper, Kuyo Tea Narcisse, the President’s Chief of Cabinet, who wanted to prevent Eugene Djue and his friends from seeing Gbagbo, gave orders to the soldiers to throw them out. A discussion followed and the soldiers beat Djue and his friends and damaged Djue’s car.

7. In Le Temps (a daily close to Gbagbo): a front page story says: “Killings and hasty executions in Bouaké: Soro justifies the barbarity of his men; the United Nations condemns this violence; IB and the New Forces accuse each other.” According to the paper, Soro presented his apology to the population and explained to them that behind the legitimate demands of some soldiers, there was manipulation which was to discredit the New Forces. He invited parents to give advice to their children in order to avoid the killing because it is no longer possible to have a coup d’etat in Cote d’Ivoire.

Concerning IB, who is accused of preparing a coup d’etat, he defended himself in an interview on RFI and is quoted as saying: “In reality, the New Forces look for an alibi to avoid disarming. Every time disarmament is raised they create situation in order to refuse to disarm. There has never been any attack of the New Forces’ patrol.”

The paper also reports that the United Nations condemns the violence in Bouake and the violation of human rights which happened in the zone of the New Forces. The UN has requested an investigation and demanded that the persons guilty of committing those killings be judged according to the law.

8. In Le Rebond (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI party): A front page story says: “Massacres in Bouaké, a poignant testimony of a survivor; the hidden face of the uprising.”  According to the paper, a suvivor said that the “cleaning” in Bouake is to push away those who no longer believe in the New Forces. For the New Forces, those who are making objectives criticisms are IB’s supporters and must be killed. In reality, the major objective is to help Gbagbo gain a second mandate and impose him on the population of the North and the Center.