July 31, 2009

The newly adopted UN resolution on Cote d’Ivoire was the major topic in today’s dailies. Other prominent reports were on recommendations from the Ivorian Civil Society convention on the ongoing peace process; and the African Development Bank’s 2008/2009 report on Africa’s growth. The meeting of the Joint Working Group to elaborate on the strategy to address abusive forms of child labor in the cocoa industry, as well as a national report on gender-based violence also made the news.

1. Following its Security Council meeting, yesterday, the United Nations (UN) adopted a new resolution on Cote d’Ivoire. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) published the full text of the 1880/2009 Resolution in today’s paper, which reported that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon paid tribute to the facilitator President Blaise Compaore and the African Union for their commitment to the ongoing peace process.  The paper said that the Secretary also called on Ivorian political stakeholders to act responsibly to ensure a successful outcome of the process.

Still on Resolution 1880, Notre Heure (a daily close to the opposition) noted that Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recommitted the UN’s support to the electoral process and stressed on the necessity for the Ivorian Government to support the entities tasked to carry out the electoral process so that deadlines are met in time for the presidential elections to happen on November 29, 2009 as planned. According to the paper, the Secretary General said: “Further delay would likely jeopardize the process.”

Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) further noted that the Ivorian Envoy to the United Nations, Ambassador Alcide Djedje, opposed remarks made by the French Representative, who allegedly pointed out that Ivorian politicians are not committed to go to the polls. According to the paper, Ambassador Djedje concluded that France is once again interfering in Ivorian domestic affairs and abusing its veto rights.2. A prominent article in L’inter (an independent daily) reported   on the Ivorian Civil Society’s recommendations on the ongoing electoral process. One of the recommendations was that, for a peaceful and fair process, the different actors and technical bodies involved in the operation should abide by the legal provisions regulating national elections. On the electoral code, Justice Malan Ehounou, an Ivorian judge, said that the voters list must be edited at least three months before the polls. According to the paper, the Ivorian Civil Society therefore called on the implied parties to work consequently to ensure the timely and credible end of the process.

3. The African Development Bank (AFDB) has published its 2008/2009 report on development on the African continent. A story in Notre Heure (a daily close to the opposition) focused on the aspect of military conflicts and their destructive consequences, which hinder development on the continent.  According to the paper, the African economy is also plagued by irrelevant economic policies that prioritize massive armaments and ignore productive investments. The paper added that this often results in high inflation rates making reform policies difficult to implement.

 4. The Joint Working Group recently met in Abidjan to advocate common policies to fight and stop the worst forms of child labor in the cocoa farming. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) which reported on this meeting noted that Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, the top two world cocoa producers, have decided to standardize their work policy in cocoa farming to achieve certification of their production. According to the paper, the two countries are committed to eradicate the phenomenon of child labor in the cocoa industry. [NOTE: Reports in 2001 blamed Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana for using abusive forms of child labor in its cocoa production]

5. Finally, on human rights, a report in Le Mandat (a daily close to the opposition) noted that gender-based violence is still a major concern for Ivorian authorities.  According to the paper, despite the lack of figures on the issue, women in Cote d’Ivoire are often silent victims of abuses and sexual violence. This situation, the paper added, seriously impacted the physical and psychological health of the victims; hence the necessity for the authorities to consequently address the issue.

July 30, 2009

The U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton’s visit to Africa on August 5-13 was a subject of a front-page story in today’s Ivorian press. A meeting between President Laurent Gbagbo and the French Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire over French-Ivorian relations; the Ivorian electoral process and a report alleging that President Gbagbo was trying to take back some Ivorian war planes kept in Guinea (Conakry) were the other major items in the press.

1. Soir Info (an independent daily): “Mrs Clinton’s Visit to Africa: Why Cote d’Ivoire is Excluded Again?” said a front-page headline in this paper with a picture Secretary Clinton. The paper noted that despite the fact that Cote d’Ivoire’s long-delayed presidential elections are now set for November 29, 2009, there is still “a no-war-no-peace atmosphere” hanging over this country. The paper went on to say: “Rumors of coup-d’etat have become daily reports in the press; the country is still split into two, making Cote d’Ivoire looking like a volcano that can erupt at any time and the country’s democratic credentials and Human rights records are subject to critics.” The paper further recalled that during his recent visit to Ghana, U.S. President Barack Obama had directly called on certain African Heads of State on the necessity to opt for democracy; and on the people of Africa to fight for their own destiny. The paper further said that the American President also denounced fraudulent and violent elections; corruption; mismanagement; anti-democratic practices; civil wars and rebellions. The paper then concluded: “Unfortunately, all these form the stock that is plaguing Cote d’Ivoire.”

2. Notre Heure (a daily close to the opposition) and The Ivorian News Agency (AIP) also published the full text of statement issued by the Department of State in connection with Secretary Clinton’s visit to Africa. The statement, which was published on the news agency’s web site: www.aip.ci, highlighted Mrs Clinton’s schedule during her seven nations’ tour designed to highlight the Obama administration's commitment to making Africa a priority in U.S. foreign policy. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily), Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) and Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) briefly reported on the Secretary Clinton’s visit referring to the statement issued by the Department of State.

3. A prominent report in Fraternite Matin said that French-Ivorian relations were high on the agenda, when French Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire Jean-Marc Simon held talks yesterday with the Ivorian President, Laurent Gbagbo. “Ties between the two countries are solid. President Sarkozy has a great respect for President Gbagbo,” the paper quoted Ambassador Simon as saying after the meeting; and he added: “We need to guard against these matters.” According to the paper, the French Ambassador was referring to a recent statement on President Gbagbo that was attributed to his French counterpart. The paper reported the French diplomat as saying that President Sarkozy’s intention was that “Elections [in Cote d’Ivoire] are organized according to plan.”

4. In a related development, Fraternite Matin published a reaction from the National Congress for Resistance and Democracy (CNRD – a movement supportive of Gbagbo] that denounced “A hostile attitude on the part of President Sarkozy as well as these unacceptable accusations that are unjust, provocative, irreverent and baseless that were leveled against the Ivorian Head of State.”

5. On matters concerning Cote d’Ivoire’s electoral process, a report in Fraternite Matin said that all the state institutions involved in the ongoing data processing of the voters’ identification and registration exercise met yesterday in Abidjan to work out a common plan on how to handle this operation. Still on the preparations of the November 29 elections, Fraternite Matin reported on a meeting between the Independent Electoral Commission – the body tasked with organizing the elections – and members of the Rally of the Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP – a four-party opposition coalition). The paper quoted the leader of the opposition delegation as saying that the meeting was called following “concerns” expressed by the U.N. Envoy in Cote d’Ivoire about the date of the polls. “We’ve the assurance from the Independent Electoral Commission that the first round of the elections will be held on November 29,” the paper quoted the leader of the opposition delegation as saying after the meeting. 
  
6. On regional issues, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) alleged that President Gbagbo is maneuvering to hold “a secret meeting” with the leader of the military junta in Guinea (Conakry), Moussa Dadis Camara, in a bid to convince the latter to return Cote d’Ivoire’s war planes that are kept in this neighboring country. According to the paper, the jets were acquired in violation of a United Nations arms embargo on Cote d’Ivoire.

July 29, 2009

Today’s Ivorian press pondered the political atmosphere in Cote d’Ivoire amidst a controversy over results of a survey showing Gbagbo ahead in voting intentions. The newspapers also reported on Ivorian Prime Minister Guillaume Soro’s visit to Libya; and announced that he will be meeting shortly with the country’s stakeholders on many major subjects especially the security during the electoral process. The results of this year’s baccalaureate examination; a campaign for peace and security launched by West African women as well as a campaign against the proliferation of light weapons were the other major items. On US-Africa partnership, a daily published a story culled from www.american.gov story on how trade can help boost economies and reduce poverty in Africa.
  
1. Notre Heure (a daily close to the opposition): The paper carried an interview with Francis Vangah Wodie, a leading Ivorian political figure, who warned against “tribalism” in politics. Mr. Wodie, who is also the leader of Ivorian Workers Party (PIT – opposition), accused Cote d’Ivoire’s major political parties for building their movements on what he called “tribal foundation.” Speaking on the current political situation in Cote d’Ivoire, the Ivorian politician reportedly called for “clean elections;” and denounced “manipulation and frauds” as a way to get power. 

2. A few days after the publication of a survey showing Gbagbo ahead in voting intentions, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) carried a commentary from one Doube Binty, an independent columnist, who denounced “a poll that prepares people for civil war.” The writer said: “The recent survey allegedly conducted by SOFRES [a French company] is part of the ruling party FPI’s moral and intellectual fraud.” The writer also said: “The four million Ivorians that Charles Ble Goude [a staunch supporter of President Laurent Gbagbo] recently claimed to have enrolled [during the just-ended voter registration exercise] was also part of this political ruse.” The paper also carried an interview with Maurice Kakou Guikahue, a leading member of the PDCI-RDA party, who called the poll conducted by SOFRES “a manipulation.” Mr. Guikahue reportedly said that the Ivorian ex-President and leader the PDCI-RDA party, Henri Konan Bedie, is “comfortably in the lead in the November 29 presidential elections.” Meanwhile, Soir Info (an independent daily) carried a front-page story claiming that the survey showed Gbagbo in a “comfortable” position.

3. Still on the political atmosphere in Cote d’Ivoire, a front-page story in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said that the opposition UDPCI – a party of the late leader of the Ivorian military junta, General Robert Guei – is on the verge to collapse. According to the paper, two leading members of the party fighting over the leadership are set to organize two separate meetings today in the Western town of Man to decide on the future of the party.

4. Another front-page story in Fraternite Matin said that Ivorian Prime Minister Guillaume Soro has summoned a series of meetings on July 31 to address issues pertaining to the peace process underway in Cote d’ivoire. According to the paper, the future of the peace process especially military issues, the identification process as well as conditions of workers will be high on the agenda. The paper further said that the Prime Ministers and stakeholders will examine ways to resolve questions relating to the ranks of the former fighters; the number of New Forces’ soldiers to join Cote d’Ivoire’s future army and plan for the deployment of an 8,000 joint government and New Forces security unit that will be tasked to ensure security during the elections.

5. More on the Prime Minister’s schedule, Fraternite Matin announced that Mr. Soro left Abidjan yesterday for an official visit in Libya where he will hold talks with the Libyan leader, Mouammar Kadhafi on relations between their two countries.

6. On other issues, a prominent story in Fraternite Matin said only 20.27 percent of candidates, who sat for this year’s baccalaureate examination, have passed their exam in Cote d’Ivoire. The report, which described the result as “disastrous”, noted that Yamoussoukro [Cote d’Ivoire’s political capital] secure the highest score with 29.74 percent, while the northern city of Seguela got the lowest score with only 5.20 percent.

7. A report in Fraternite Matin said women from West African countries are committed to promote peace, security and gender issues in the region. According to the paper, the decision was taken Tuesday when women from 30 organizations met in Abidjan under the umbrella of REPSFECO – Women Network for Peace and Security in West Africa. In another development, the paper reported that the Ivorian international reggae star, Tiken Jah Fakoly, organized a musical show on July 23 in the war-torn western city of Man to support the campaign against the proliferation of light weapons. The campaign was launched by RASALAO-CI, Cote d’Ivoire’s chapter of the Action Network Against Light Weapons in West Africa.  

8. On US-Africa partnership, Notre Heure published a story culled from www.american.gov  quoting Florizelle Liser, the assistant U.S. trade representative for Africa as saying: “Trade is important to Africa’s economic growth.” Liser, who was speaking ahead of the 8th Annual African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum, to be held in Nairobi, Kenya, August 4–6, reportedly said: “Trade is critically important to economic development… and if the Africans were able to increase their share of world trade from 2 to 3 percent, that 1 percentage increase would actually generate about $70 billion of additional income annually for Africa.”     

July 28, 2009

Today’s Ivorian press was again dominated by the results of an opinion poll showing Gbagbo ahead in voting intentions. New developments in Gbagbo-Sarkozy relations; the visit of the President of African Development Bank to Cote d’Ivoire and other reports on economic issues; the strike launched heavy truck drivers to protest against harassment and efforts to reinforce military cooperation between the United States and Libya were the other major news items.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): The paper devoted its front page to a recent opinion poll showing the score of each of the three main candidates in the November 29 presidential elections. The poll was conducted by Tns-Sofres [a French institution]. It showed President Laurent Gbagbo comfortably in the lead in the upcoming elections with 43 percent of voting intentions as against 29 percent for the Ivorian former President Henri Konan Bedie. The main opposition leader, Alassane Dramane Ouattara, got 28 percent. According to the paper, these results were a subject of critical analysis in French weekly newspaper Jeune Afrique which quoted an official close to the survey institution as saying: “The population sample used during the poll was representative.” The paper pointed out that this survey, which was conducted before the official electoral campaign in Cote d’Ivoire, showed that a second round would be “necessary” in the upcoming presidential elections.

2. More on this controversial opinion poll, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) noted that the survey further showed that 61 percent of the polled population had “a good opinion” of Gbagbo. This result, the paper commented, owes much to the popularity of the Ivorian incumbent president, who it called “a grass-roots candidate.”

3. Still on this opinion poll, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) told readers a different story. The paper suggested that only the results of 2001 municipal elections, which were won by the opposition RDR party, should be used to measure the popularity of any political parties in this country. In a front-page story, Soir Info (an independent daily) indicated that even if the results of the poll have become a subject of controversy, it however showed that the three main presidential hopefuls [Gbagbo, Bedie and Ouattara] still have a lot of work to do. The poll had proved that none of them could win an upright victory in the coming elections, the paper further suggested.

4. On another development, L’inter (an independent daily) informed readers that the Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, is mediating between Presidents Gbagbo and Sarkozy after the latter was quoted as saying about his counterpart: “This man is not trustworthy.” The paper quoted a reliable source as saying that Mr. Soro will try to convince the French authorities that President Gbagbo was sincere when he promised to hold elections on November 29.

5. On economic issues, L’inter reported that as part of his working visit to Cote d’Ivoire, the President of African Development Bank, Donald Kaberuka, held talks yesterday with Ivorian authorities including the Minister of Planning and Development, Paul-Antoine Bohoun Bouabre. According to the report, Mr. Kaberuka commended the government and all Ivorians for the efforts they have made at the political and economic fronts, to pave the way for the normalization of relations with the international financial community.

6. A report in Fraternite Matin said that Finance Ministers of UEMOA (West African Economic and Monetary Union) meeting in Abidjan have decided to inject FCFA 900 billion (about $1.9 billion) into the region’s economy in an attempt to bail out its economy. According to the report, this decision forms part of urgent measures to be put in place in order to resolve the region’s debt problems. The paper cited a communique issued at the end of the meeting saying that this money represents two-thirds of the UEMOA’s total domestic debt.  

7. A report in Fraternite Matin said that many carriers and heavy truck drivers have gone on strike to protest against harassment especially racketeering. According to the report, the movement, which was launched by the National Union of Road Carriers of Cote d’Ivoire, has seriously disrupted activities at the Abidjan’s main Port.

8. Finally, a report in L’inter said that the United States would like greater military cooperation with Libya especially in the fight against terrorism. “We want a strengthened cooperation in the military,” the paper quoted Jeffrey Feltman, acting US assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs as saying. “Libya and the United States are aware of the danger posed by Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb,” the U.S. diplomat was further quoted as saying during a press conference in Tripoli.  

July 27, 2009

A recent opinion poll showing Gbagbo ahead in voting intentions and new developments in Cote d’Ivoire’s electoral process were the major subjects in today and weekend’s issues of the Ivorian press. The dailies also talked about French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s health conditions. The visit of the President of the African Development Bank to Cote d’Ivoire; a recent meeting of experts of West African Health Organization (WAHO) in Yamoussoukro and more reactions following President Barack Obama’s recent visit to Accra were the other major news.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A prominent story in today’s issue said that the date of the upcoming presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire has again become a subject of a heated debate following some concerns expressed by U.N. Envoy to Cote d’Ivoire Y. J. Choi. According to the paper, the head of the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI), who was addressing the U.N. Security Council on July 23, said: “The Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) is facing some difficulties in efforts to complete its tasks.” Mr. Choi, the report said, suggested that “New options should be quickly developed in a bid to find ways to resolve these problems.” In a reaction, “The Electoral commission takes note of these concerns,” the paper quoted CEI’s spokesperson as saying.

2. Still on the controversy over the date of the presidential elections, Fraternite Matin quoted former Ivorian President and leader of the PDCI-RDA party Henri Konan Bedie as saying: “The exact date is not important. What are important though are the conditions (the population identification) to be met before the polls. That the elections take place a month later or a month before is not the essential issue.” More on this topic, the paper informed readers about Alassane Dramane Ouattara’s position not to accept any further delay of the polls. According to the paper, the Ivorian opposition leader, who was speaking over the weekend at a political rally in the North-Western region of Zanzan, told the gathering: “Go and tell them that November 29 will mark a new era in Cote d’Ivoire and that ADO (Alassane Dramane Ouattara) won’t accept any excuse for the delay of the November 29 elections.”

3. A recent opinion poll showing Gbagbo ahead in voting intentions also made headlines in many dailies. A front-page story in the weekend’s issue of Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) quoted Mr. Bedie as saying: “This survey is neither reliable nor justified.” On the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire, Mr. Bedie, who was speaking in Paris on Friday, reportedly said: “The election of a new president is one of the ways out of the crisis.”

4. As efforts are underway to resolve the crisis in Cote d’Ivoire, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) in its weekend’s edition warned that the recent statement by French President Nicolas Sarkozy that President Laurent Gbagbo is not “trustworthy” could undermine the peace process. It further quoted the French president as saying about President Gbagbo: “He is doing all this because of the presence of the Blue Helmets; otherwise I would have asked my guys to do the necessary cleaning.” The paper then noted that relations between France and Cote d’Ivoire are strained following these declarations. It however wondered whether the French leader can “topple” his Ivorian counterpart. The paper also asked how President Sarkozy would justify vis-avis its national opinion that he had instructed his soldiers to “overthrow” a president in a sovereign country.

5. While the debate over Sarkozy-Gbagbo relations continued, the health conditions of the French president have become an issue in Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party). A prominent story in this paper said that the French president was “admitted in a hospital after he felt dizzy.” Le Temps (another daily close to the ruling FPI party) prominently wrote: “Sarkozy collapses as he feels dizzy.”

6. On economic issues, Notre Heure (a daily close to the opposition) informed readers that the President of the African Development Bank, Donald Kaberuka, is expected today Abidjan for a three-day working visit. According to the paper, Mr. Kaberuka will hold talks with Ivorian authorities – including President Gbagbo -- on ways to reinforce partnership between the bank and Cote d’Ivoire and plan to return the Tunis bank’s headquarters back to Abidjan.

7. Experts of the West African Health Organization (WAHO) meeting in Yamoussoukro last week adopted a plan to fight diseases including malaria and respiratory flu in the sub-region, said a report in Nord Sud-Sud Quotidien. The action plan, which will cover 2009 through 2013, includes strategies to improve mother and child’s health conditions and ways to tap human resources in a bid to efficiently face health challenges in the West African region.

8. On US-African relations, the Chairman of Parliamentarians’ Network for Obama [an Ivorian NGO], Pale Dimate, was quoted by L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) as saying: “I want to lobby for Cote d’Ivoire in the United States.” According to the paper, Mr. Dimate, who is also an MP, was speaking in Accra during President Obama’s visit to Ghana. He reportedly said that “This visit should be seen as a lesson to Cote d’Ivoire.”      

July 24, 2009

Friday’s Ivorian press is dominated by recent developments in Cote d’Ivoire’s electoral process and reactions after French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s recent remarks on President Gbagbo. A survey showing that Gbagbo is well ahead in voting intentions also received mixed reactions in the newspapers. Reactions from the Armed Forces of Cote d'Ivoire following media reports on a testimony made by one Warrant Officer Alain Gosse related to the case of Guy-Andre Kieffer, and the ongoing meeting of experts of the West African Health Organization (WAHO) in Yamoussoukro, were the other major items.

1. A prominent story in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said Cote d’Ivoire’s Ambassador to U.N. Alcide Djedje called for “France’s greater sense of restraint and responsibility.” According to the paper, Mr. Djedje was reacting to remarks by French President Nicolas Sarkozy on his Ivorian counterpart and the election process in the West African country. The Ivorian diplomat, who was addressing the U.N. Security Council on Thursday, told the meeting that “France plays a key role in the Ivorian peace process,” and added: “This heavy responsibility, together with influence and consequences that any attitudes and commentaries from France could have in Cote d’Ivoire, should call for a greater sense of restraint and responsibility on its part.” On the electoral process in Cote d’Ivoire, Mr. Djedje informed the Security Council that “Cote d’Ivoire is from now fully committed to complete the process.” Regarding the timetable for the upcoming elections, the diplomat was quoted as saying that “The government is working on pending electoral bills that will be adopted in the coming days in a bid to accelerate the electoral process; and pave the way for the first round of the presidential elections set for November 29, 2009.”

2. A report in Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) said that the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) welcome the publication of a timetable for the long-awaited polls in this country. Speaking at a press conference yesterday, UNOCI’s spokesperson Hamadoun Toure told reporters that the U.N. Envoy to Cote d’Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, who is currently in New York to address the Security Council, will use the opportunity “to outline progress made in the peace process and obstacles to overcome before November 2009 elections.” [NOTE: Media reports in New York quoted the U.N. Envoy as saying that “Cote d’Ivoire has made progress in preparing for a long-delayed presidential election on November 29, but serious challenges must be overcome if the poll is to happen on time. Bureaucratic bottlenecks involved in planning and running the electoral process, form the greatest obstacle to holding the crucial presidential elections in Cote d'Ivoire.”]

3. Meanwhile, Soir Info (an independent daily) carried a prominent story saying that “strained relations” between President Gbagbo and his French counterpart could “undermine efforts” to hold the elections according to plan. Referring to Sarkozy’s recent reported remarks on President Gbagbo, the paper suggested that “The motive behind this crash was to rally the United Nations behind France’s plan to get the Ivorian President out of power.” It went on to speculate that a recent interview with French media by one Warrant Officer Alain Gosse related to the case of Guy-Andre Kieffer, who has been missing since April 2004 in Cote d’Ivoire, could be seen as a recipe of this plan.

4. While preparations are underway for the November 29 presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire, Fraternite Matin published the results of a confidential survey conducted in Cote d'Ivoire by Tns-Sofres [a French institution] for President Gbagbo showing the latter comfortably in the lead in 29 November presidential elections. According to the opinion poll, the incumbent president has garnered 43 percent of voting intentions as against 29 percent for the Ivorian former President Henri Konan Bedie. Ivorian opposition leader Alassane Dramane Ouattara got 28 percent according to the survey. The paper also published another survey indicating that nine, out of the 19 regions in Cote d’Ivoire, are “favorable” to Mr. Bedie. The survey conducted by Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA), according to Fraternite Matin, said that President Gbagbo could win in five regions.

5. More comments on Tns-Sofres’ opinion poll, Le Nouveau Reveil noted that even with these results, the Rally of the Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), Cote d’Ivoire’s opposition coalition, could still “beat the ruling FPI party” in the coming elections.  

6. Reacting to a recent interview with French media by one Warrant Officer Alain Gosse on the case of Guy-Andre Kieffer who has been missing since April 2004 in Cote d’Ivoire, Ivorian Armed Forces said that the witness is “not part of their staff,” reported many dailies including Fraternite Matin. [NOTE: Media reports quoted the witness, “a Warrant Officer in the Ivorian army”, as saying that “People close to Mrs. Simone Gbagbo – the Ivorian First Lady – are implicated in the disappearance of Franco-Canadian journalist.”] Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) published the full text of the statement issued yesterday by the army. Excerpts said: “The Armed Forces of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire strongly refute such allegations and assert that Warrant Officer Alain Gosse is not part of their staff.” The statement further deplored “These foreign media’s tendentious way of informing people and believed these media have hidden agenda.”

7. Finally, a report in Notre Voie (a daily close to the opposition party) said that President Gbagbo called for a regional cooperation in a bid to boost the health sector in the West African region. The president was speaking yesterday in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire’s political capital during a meeting of experts of the West African Health Organization (WAHO) on challenges of fighting some epidemics such HIV/AIDS meningitis, yellow fever and malaria.

July 23, 2009

French-Ivorian relations and the electoral process underway in Cote d’Ivoire were the major issues in today’s Ivorian press. A new development in the case of Franco-Canadian journalist Guy-Andre Kieffer; the controversy over a survey conducted in Cote d'Ivoire ahead of the upcoming presidential elections; disarmament of former combatants; the certification of the Ivorian cocoa and demand by Ivorian refugees to return home were the other major issues in the Ivorian press.

1. “Sarkozy on Chirac Footsteps,” said a prominent headline in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily). With pictures of Presidents Laurent Gbagbo and Nicolas Sarkozy on its front page, the paper carried a caption suggesting that “relations between the two leaders are a bit strained.” According to the paper, reliable sources quoted the French President as saying about his Ivorian counterpart: “This man is not trustworthy.” The report said Mr. Sarkozy, who was speaking last Friday during a meeting with the U.N. Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon in New York, purportedly blamed President Gbagbo for the delay in the Ivorian electoral process. The paper opined that this statement could be a prelude of “Sarkozy’s commitment to execute a plan designed by Chirac [his predecessor] aimed at defending French interests that are seriously threatened by Cote d’Ivoire’s search for political independence.”

2. “Sarkozy declares war against Cote d’Ivoire,” said a prominent headline in Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party). The paper went on to describe the French president’s reported statement as “arrogant” and “discourteous.” In a separate story, it called upon the Young Patriots [a movement supportive of President Gbagbo] to remain “vigilant.” The paper however referred to a recent statement by the French Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire, Jean-Marc Simon, who expressed “optimism” about the Ivorian peace process. He was quoted as saying: “I’m satisfied and confident about the peace process because the bulk of the tasks have been completed.”
 
3. In another development, L’inter (an independent daily) reported on a new development in the case of the Franco-Canadian journalist, Guy-Andre Kieffer, who went missing in April 2004 in Cote d’Ivoire’s economic capital Abidjan. According to the paper, “Alain Gosse, a major in the Ivorian army, claimed in an interview with French television channel France 3 that people close to Mrs. Simone Gbagbo – the Ivorian First Lady – are implicated in the disappearance of Franco-Canadian journalist.” The paper further quoted Major Gosse as saying that “The journalist was hit by a bullet during his interrogation, as Jean Tony Oulai, who was then head of the security at the Presidency in Abidjan, tried to frighten and press him to talk.” “Mrs. Gbagbo was not directly involved…,” Major Gosse reportedly said.

4. Still on the same issue, L’inter quoted Mrs. Gbagbo’s lawyer as saying: “There are serious contradictions in the testimony of the so-called Alain Gosse.” In a prominent story, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) denounced what it called “a false testimony calculated to tarnish the reputation the Ivorian First Lady.” According to the paper, Major Gosse, who was interviewed by the French television, was an “imposture.”  
5. On internal politics, many Ivorian dailies including Fraternite Matin today informed readers that the Independent Electoral Commission – the body tasked with organizing the upcoming presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire – has published a timetable for the long-awaited polls. The dailies carried a copy a document released by the electoral body that set the first round of the elections for 29 November.

6. Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA) published the results of a survey showing PDCI-RDA’s candidate Henri Konan Bedie in the lead in the upcoming presidential elections. According to the paper, the results of this survey are based on figures published by the Independent Electoral Commission after the voter registration exercise. The paper also published a reaction from a reader saying that a survey, which was earlier published by Notre Voie showing President Gbagbo well ahead in voting intentions, was “inaccurate.”
  
7. On other subjects relating to the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire, L’Expression (a daily close to the opposition) said that the reintegration process of former combatants is not yet completed; a situation, which according to the paper, could undermine the electoral process. The report further said that lack of money is delaying the program.

8. On another issue, L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) reported on official activities organized on Wednesday by Ivorian authorities to mark World Day Against Child Labor 2009. Ambassador Wanda L. Nesbitt and Ivorian Labor Minister Hubert Oulaye attended the ceremony that was marked by the launching of Self Help Village, a national program, designed as part of Cote d’Ivoire’s efforts to certify its cocoa beans as produced free of the worst forms of child labor, the report said. The minister reportedly said that the government of Cote d’Ivoire is committed to fight the child labor; and called on parents to send their children to school.
   
10. Finally, Notre Heure (a daily close to the opposition) announced that about 12,000 Ivorian refugees living in neighboring countries will soon return home. The paper attributed the announcement to the UNHCR in Abidjan. According to the paper, the UNHCR also announced that about 24,800 refugees – most of them Liberians – are living in Cote d’Ivoire.

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July 22, 2009

Reports in today’s Ivorian press announced that the review and certification of the voters’ roll began yesterday amidst controversy over the voter registration program that officially ended on June 30. Other reports were on the political maneuvers ahead of Cote d’Ivoire’s upcoming presidential elections billed for November 29; the World Bank’s financial support to boost power production in Cote d’Ivoire; a report alleging fraud in the Ivorian cocoa and coffee industry; the conditions of detention of Ivorian top officials jailed for their alleged implication in the Ivorian cocoa and coffee scandal; as well as the partnership between the United States and Africa were the other top issues in the papers.

1. In a prominent story, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) announced that the review and certification of the voters’ roll to be used during the November 29 presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire started yesterday. According to the paper the head of the Independent Electoral Commission, Robert Beugre Mambe, said that the nationwide exercise will end on August 25; he also said that 70 centers have been opened to process the data collected during the voter registration program. Mr. Mambe also told reporters during a press conference on Tuesday that the voter registration exercise, which officially ended on June 30, will not be extended. He said: “If we continue extending the registration process, we won’t be able to hold the first round of the polls that was set by consensus on November 29.”

2. In a front-page story, L’inter (an independent daily) also quoted Mr. Mambe on the voter registration. He said: “The voter registration exercise is over, but the identification process continues.” In a commentary, the paper described the decision to end the voter registration exercise as “a radical move.” It noted that the decision came after many supporters of the presidential camp, including the Young Patriots (a movement supportive of President Gbagbo), called for the extension of the exercise. The paper further said that Mr. Mambe is even committed to speed up the electoral process, though  the U.N. envoy in Cote d’Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, is in favor of  a delay of the polls.

3. In a related development, L’inter published a statement issued by Charles Ble Goude, the leader of the Young Patriots on the decision by the electoral commission to end the voter registration exercise. According to the paper, Ble Goude told Ivoirians, who were not registered “to keep hope.”     

4. “France will support the electoral commission until the end of the electoral process,” said a prominent story in Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party). According to the paper, French Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire Jean marc Simon made the announcement Tuesday in Abidjan after a meeting with the head of the electoral commission. According to the report, Ambassador Jean marc Simon was optimistic about the next stage of the electoral process because “the bulk of the tasks have been completed.”

5. While preparations are underway for Cote d’Ivoire’s crucial presidential elections, a report in L’inter said that the polls will cost nearly FCFA 200 billion (about $436 million); and added that this will be one of the most expensive elections in the world. The report, which was culled from the French weekly newspaper, Jeune Afrique, claimed that the huge cost of the election could be blamed on its interminable delay.

6. On political maneuvers underway in Cote d’Ivoire ahead of the elections, Soir Info (an independent daily) commented on  the ruling party FPI’s chance to retain or not retain power after the polls. According to the paper, support from several movements like the Young Patriots could take the party to victory. However, the paper suggested that before this could happen, President Gbagbo and his party would have to account for “the embezzlement, rapid enrichment of some officials close the regime; corruption in public administration and the growing poverty in the country.”

7. On matters concerning good governance in Cote d’Ivoire, a front-page story in L’Expression (a daily close to the opposition) alleged that between 1999 and 2002, the country lost about FCFA 870 billion (about $1.9 million) as a result of fraud in the cocoa and coffee industry. According to the paper, this was contained in a report initiated by the government in 2001. The report, the paper claimed, unveiled what it called “high scale of fraud” in the export of the two commodities.

8. On a related development, a prominent story in Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) denounced conditions of detention of top Ivorian officials jailed in MACA – a prison in Abidjan – for their alleged implication in a fraud scandal in the cocoa and coffee industry. According to the paper, the conditions of detention of some of the officials have been eased, allowing them to go about freely in town.   

9. To help boost power production in Cote d’Ivoire, the World Bank has granted $52.540 million to this country said a report in Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party). The agreement was signed Tuesday between the Ivorian Finance Minister, Charles Koffi Diby and Madani Tall, the Bank’s official in Abidjan.

10. Finally, a report in L’inter on the partnership between the United States and Africa said that trade between the two partners helps boost living conditions on the continent. The report focused on activities of United States African Development Foundation (USADF), an independent Federal agency established to support African-designed and African-driven solutions that address grassroots economic and social problems. The paper announced that USADF’s development programs in sub-Saharan African will be high on the agenda of the 8th AGOA Summit slated for August 4-6 in Nairobi, Kenya. 

July 21, 2009

The electoral process continued to be the prominent topic in the press today; papers reported on developments in the initial data processing phase as well as on the appeal to authorities by the National Commission for the Supervision of the Identification (CNSI). The Government’s employment policy; the protest by soldiers of the Integrated Command Center; and the HIV/AIDS Activity Report from the Ministry in charge of HIV AIDS also made the news.

 

1. Today, Prime Minister Soro Guillaume is due to launch the official start of the data processing phase of the voters’ registration process. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported that the initial operation will take place in Grand Bassam (a southern suburb of Abidjan) and will include cross-checking data collected in the field. According to the paper, the purpose for these activities is to prevent fraud, and ensure fairness, as well as handle any disputes that may arise in the process.

Still on the data processing issue, Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported on the outcome of a meeting in the National Commission in charge of the Supervision of the Identification process (CNSI). According to the paper, the final communiqué from the meeting called on Government authorities to take appropriate measures to process the identification of all people living in the country. The communiqué also called for the consolidation of the work done by all the agencies involved in the process. In the communiqué, the CNSI recommitted to perform its supervisory role in the identification exercise.

More on the electoral process; an article in Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) noted that the estimated cost of the process is approximately $442 million. The paper added that this amount is subject to constant inflation as a result of the delays in the process.

2. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported on an interview with Ivorian Labor Minister Mr. Hubert Oulaye on the Ivoirian Government’s employment policy.  According to the paper, Mr. Oulaye talked about the Government’s actions in fighting unemployment through policies, which allow for new recruitments. He said: “Specific policies have been implemented since 2000 to provide jobs to the youth and we have extended the retirement age for civil servants.”  According to the paper, the Minister said that some 42% of the national budget is devoted to public employment.

3. Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) reported that soldiers deployed in Bouake at the Integrated Command Center (ICC) protested yesterday for better treatment and recognition of their efforts in the peace process. According to the report, Commandant Nicolas Kouakou of the ICC tried to calm the situation, but was ignored by the protestors, who walked out on him.  The situation is at a standstill. [NOTE: On May 21, 2009, 550 soldiers from the ICC were deployed in Bouake in the framework of the joint support of the peace process]

4. The National Ministry in Charge of HIV AIDS has released its Activity Report for 2008. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) said that the results are encouraging. According to the paper, the Minister in charge of HIV AIDS, Ms. Adjobi Christine noted that for the last three years, some $ 210 million have been spent in the fight against the pandemic and that the Ivorian government contributed one-fourth this amount. Ms. Adjobi appealed for an increase in the HIV AIDS budget.

July 20, 2009

News reported today and over the weekend was mainly on the Ivorian Prime Minister’s visit in Mali; and the ongoing electoral process. Other reports were on the conferences of the Ivorian Coalition on the International Criminal Court’s efforts to fight impunity; and an interview of the UNAIDS Executive Director on the fight against the pandemic in Africa.

1. The Ivorian Prime Minister, Mr. Soro Guillaume was recently in Mali to discuss on bilateral cooperation. The information was reported by Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) which noted that discussions mostly focused on commercial and economical issues. In his welcoming address, the Malian Prime Minister, Mr. Modibo Sidibe echoed for strengthened relationships between the two states to allow for more collaboration and integration.

Still on this two-day visit, the paper indicated that Prime Minister Soro called for the support of the Malian President, Amadou Toumani Toure, to successfully complete the ongoing electoral process.

2. On the electoral process, a report in Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) noted that the data processing phase of the voters registration exercise is due to start today as initially scheduled. Reporting the deputy spokesperson of the Independent Electoral Commission, Mr. Bamba Yacouba’s press statement, the article added that this important operation aimed at processing voters data to allow for the handling of potential disputes prior to the release of the electors lists. The commission, the paper also noted, has elaborated timetables highlighting the different phases of the operation to be carried out.

More on the issue, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) noted that Cote d’Ivoire will be at the agenda of the UN Security Council’s meeting of July 23, 2009. On the occasion, the paper added, Mr. Choi, the resident UN envoy, will submit a report on the situation in the country. In a skeptical analysis, the paper questioned the position of the UN representative in view of his recent declarations. 

3. The Ivorian Coalition for the International Criminal Court organized a series of conferences and workshops to shed light on the mechanisms and roles of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Reporting on the activities of the coalition, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) noted that the purpose of these training seminars is to call on African states and the civic society to collaborate with the international law institution to fight impunity and contribute to justice. [Notes: On July 14, 2009 the African Union decided not to cooperate with the ICC in the prosecution against President Omar El Bashir of the Sudan.] The coalition, the paper added, echoed for better understanding of the cooperative role of the international legal body. It called on the African civic society to support its actions toward equity.

4. Finally, an article in the Saturday edition of Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily)reported the interview of the Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) on the fight against the disease in Africa. According to Mr. Sidibe Michel, significant improvements have been made in the campaign against the pandemic. However, he added that major challenges still remained unsolved for the African continent. The UN official advocated conducive policies likely to relieve infected people and suggested the creation of HIV AIDS drugs industries on the continent. 

July 17, 2009

Friday’s dailies were again dominated by reports on the electoral process. The press statement on the electoral process by  the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire; a sit-in  protest to demand  extension of the voter registration exercise; and the African Development Bank’s initiatives in support of  the ongoing peace process were major topics in most dailies. The dailies also reported on a prison break at MACA prison in Abidjan; as well as on the Ministry of Sports’ campaign on HIV/AIDS.

1. L’inter (an independent daily) had a story on the weekly press statement of the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI.) The paper noted special envoy, Mr. Choi’s remarks on the accomplishments and challenges that remain for the timely completion of the registration operation. In the statement, Mr. Choi noted that the data processing phase, which is due to start on July 22, is wrought with technical problems.  He also said this will likely delay the whole process. The paper concluded that Mr. Choi called on the different actors to abide by the timetable of each step of the process to allow for a successful end.

Still on the electoral process, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) noted that as per the UN Security Council’s instructions, the Independent Electoral Commission is requested to elaborate and publish a calendar highlighting the timetable of the different phases of the operation. This, the paper added, will allow for better planning of actions necessary to support the process.     

Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported on a planned sit-in protest so that the voter registration is extended by two weeks. (NOTE – The registration process was concluded on June 30, 2009.)  According to the paper, Mr. Nado Clement, the Head of the Coalition of Young Patriots, has given instructions for protesters to demonstrate on July 22, 2009.  The protest will take place at the offices of the Independent Electoral Commission in Abidjan.

2. Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported that the African Development Bank (ADPB) yesterday granted materials and equipment as part of its support to the ongoing peace process in Cote d’Ivoire. The paper said that the donation, which includes vehicles and computers is valued at about $30 million, is to help Ivorian authorities to implement out multi-sector restoration projects. 

3. Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) reported on a prison break at the MACA prison in Abidjan (MACA), where, Mr. Charles Lago, a key witness in Guy-Andre Kieffer death/disappearance was able to escape. [NOTE: Guy-Andre Kieffer, a Franco-Canadian journalist was kidnapped on April 16, 2004 from a parking lot in Abidjan and has not been seen, since]. According to the paper, Charles Lago was charged with the kidnapping and probable death of the journalist and had been at MACA prison since July 2007.  The paper added that his escape is likely to hamper the truth in this sensitive case.

4. Finally, an article in L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) reported on the efforts of the Ministry of Sports in the fight against HIV/AIDS. According to the report, the Ministry’s HIV/AIDS campaign is designed to sensitize young people about the disease.  The campaign also advocates for precautions to avoid the infection. The campaign, which was first launched in the southern city of Grand Bassam, has now been extended nationally.

July 15, 2009

The ongoing peace process and the up-coming elections were two major topics in the Ivoirian press today. US Ambassador Wanda Nesbitt’s recent roundtable discussion with Ivorian journalists on President Obama’s Accra speech was also in the news today. The dailies also reported on the remarks by the Electoral Commission about the next phase in the voter registration exercise.  Other reports were on social tensions in two neighborhoods in Abidjan, as well as on the US government’s donation of materials and equipments to support the Ivorian government’s efforts in the fight against the HIV and AIDS pandemic.

1. In a prominent report, L’inter (an independent daily) analyzed the political atmosphere in the country and suggested that presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire may again be postponed.  The report said that the postponement will be a direct result of the many difficulties, which include technical problems in the registration exercise as well as security issues that remain unsolved. The paper further said that though the Ivorian leaders are pushing to go to the polls on November 29, it is unlikely that this tight deadline will be met.

Still on the electoral process, an article in Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) talked about a report by the International Crisis Group (ICG) on the ongoing peace process. According to the ICG report, Ivorian political leaders have an obligation to ensure the successful outcome of the process. The report said if the elections are delayed, all progress made in the Political Agreement of Ouagadougou will be jeopardized and will bring the whole process to a stop. The paper added that the ICG has called on Ivorian authorities to work diligently on the peace process. 

2. On the voter registration exercise, L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) reported on comments by the deputy spokesperson of the Independent Electoral Commission Mr. Bamba Yacouba, who was speaking about the status of the registration process on the UN radio (ONUCI FM).  According to the paper, Mr. Bamba said: “We will now focus on data processing; this phase will start on July 20, 2009 and will last for six months.” Bamba further said: “Together with the other involved bodies, we will work to successfully complete the process.”

3. Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) reported on US Ambassador Wanda Nesbitt’s roundtable discussion with Ivorian journalists on President Obama’s Accra speech. According to the paper, the exchange focused on the president’s call for democracy and good governance in Africa - key themes in the speech.

4. Most Ivorian dailies reported on a gunfire incident in a southern neighborhood of Abidjan. In a prominent article, Soir Info (a privately owned daily) informed readers that a Lebanese national shoot two people following a dispute. The two injured men Mr. Pierre Dopavogui and Mr. Nitiema Abdou were immediately sent to a clinic for treatment. The situation all the same triggered social tensions in Treichville and Marcory where hundreds of young people demonstrated on the street in protest. According to the paper, the police closely monitored the situation until it was quieted.

5.  On health issues, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported on PEPFAR’s donation of medical kits and equipment to support the Ivorian government’s efforts in fighting HIV and AIDS. The donation which totals $ 6.4 million is to support the country’s national pharmacy. According to the paper, US Ambassador Wanda Nesbitt, in her address during the donation ceremony, recommitted the US government’s support for the fight against the deadly pandemic. The Ivorian Minister of Public Health, Mr. Allah Remi thanked the United States for the continued support to Cote d’Ivoire in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

In a related development, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported on a meeting that was chaired by Ivorian Prime Minister Mr. Soro Guillaume on inter-ministry policy on HIV and AIDS. According to the report, the Prime Minister called on government officials to engage in the campaign to fight this disease, which has infected about 4% of the population in Cote d’Ivoire.

July 14, 2009

The recently concluded voters registration exercise; the Ivorian Media Monitoring Council’s  instructions to media; and  the  trial to establish responsibility for deaths of some 20 people at Abidjan’s national football stadium  in late March 2009 made the news in today’s dailies. Other reports were on the World Food Program’s actions to fight hunger in the western region of Touba. The dailies continue to report on reactions and comments on President Obama’s speech to the Ghanaian Parliament.

1. A report in L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) criticized the voter registration operation and called on the Independent Electoral Commission, to reconsider the decision not to extend the process. The paper said that over 20% of the population would be excluded from the operation if nothing is done. The paper attributed technical difficulties as some of the hindrances that prevented people from registering within the deadline.

Reporting on the same topic, Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) noted that despite the huge sums of money spent on the operation, it was not successfully conducted. The paper added that this situation could trigger social instability, hence it must be addressed.

2. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported on the Ivorian Media Monitoring Council’s meeting with the civic society to discuss media issues relating to the upcoming elections. According to the paper, the Council admonished state media to remain impartial in the pre-campaign period to guarantee equity. Mr. Franck Anderson Kouassi, the president of the Council said: “It is our duty to ensure media is reporting responsibly.” “We call on political leaders to abide by the code of good conduct, which they have ratified to allow for a peaceful pre-campaign and campaign.”

3. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported on the interrogation of managers of the Ivorian football league in a court trial to establish responsibilities for the deadly incident, which left over 20 people dead and many more wounded during a soccer match in Abidjan’s main stadium on March 29, 2009. According to the paper, Ivorian football league managers are being blamed for neglecting security.

4. On the World Food Program’s efforts to fight hunger in Cote d’Ivoire, L’Expression (a daily close to the opposition) reported that the UN agency is providing food to children, pregnant and feeding women in some 38 villages in the western region of Touba.

5. Comments and analysis on President Obama’s visit in Ghana continue. Notre Heure (a daily close to the opposition) published the French translation of the speech and L’inter (an independent daily) provided an analysis of the address pointing out the necessity for Africans in general and Ivorian specifically to promote democracy and good governance. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) published a photo album of the President Obama’s visit in Ghana.      

July 13, 2009

News reported by the dailies in Cote d’Ivoire today and over the weekend focused mainly on President Obama’s speech in Accra. In addition to print media, television and radio also reported on the Ivoirian public’s reaction to the speech. Other stories in the dailies today were on the summit of the heads of states of the Entente Council in Yamoussoukro, as well as on the voter registration issue.

1. In Cote d’Ivoire, reporting on President Obama’s Ghana speech began weeks before the actual speech and continued throughout the weekend. L’inter, in its weekend issue, carried the America.gov message inviting Africans to send a text message to President Barack Obama. 

Today, a prominent headline, in Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) accompanied with a picture of President Barack Obama speaking to the Ghanaian Parliament in Accra said: “Obama talks to Africa.”  The paper published the full text of the speech and highlighted key points in the speech for Africa. According to the paper, President Obama condemned coup d’états and demanded that Constitutions be respected by country leaders.

In L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) a prominent group picture of President Obama and the current and former Ghanaian presidents accompanied a report in which the paper said President Obama denounced coup d’états and called for good governance and a free press. The daily also published the full text of President Obama’s speech.

Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) also published the full text of the speech and said that tribalism and nepotism are the problems in Africa and that Africa’s future is up to Africans.

 

In its report, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) highlighted the President’s mention that: “Africa does not need strongmen, but it needs strong institutions.”

In one of its reports, Soir Info (an independent daily) surmised that President Obama called on Africans to resist anti-democratic governance. In another story on the speech, the paper highlighted some key points that outline the relationship between Africa and the United States; the role of Africa and the United States in conflict resolution; good governance; and aid for development.

A front-page story in Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said that President Obama’s speech laid out the priorities of his administration for Africa. Other newspapers including Le Jour Plus, Le Mandat and L’Expression (dailies close to the opposition) carried positive reports on President Obama’s speech, stressing the themes of democracy and good governance. 

“Barack Obama tells African leaders the truth,” said a front-page story in L’inter (an independent daily), which also published the full text of the president’s speech. The paper also carried a commentary by Venance Konan [a renown Ivorian journalist and writer] tilted: “Obama and Us.” The commentator said: “The fact that Obama chose to go to Ghana instead of Cote d’Ivoire should make Ivoirians think.” According to the paper, the commentator said that President Obama hailed Ghana as a model for democracy and economic growth, but more importantly, he used his speech to show the rest of African continent the way to go.   

In another commentary, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) told readers that the American President advised “Cote d’Ivoire to learn lessons from Ghana.” The paper further said: “The lesson to be learned from Ghana is not the fact that this country had briefly received on its soil the President of the most powerful country in the world. The true lesson that Ghana is giving its neighbors, including Cote d’Ivoire and the whole African continent, is that one should learn from past mistakes and failures.” 

RTI TV2 (a state-owned TV) preempted its weekend English program (Saturday & Sunday) for President Obama’s Accra speech. The station not only reported on an event in which some 200 patrons of the  American Corner in Abidjan watched and discussed the speech, the station also had an Ivoirian, Dr. Consuela Fofana, as a guest speaker in its studios to give her perspective of the speech from an Ivorian point of view.

The BBC correspondent in Cote d’Ivoire, John James, who was also present at the viewing and discussion of the speech in Abidjan, filed a report that included reactions to the speech by an Ivorian student (one of three people – one from Uganda and the other from South Africa) who commented on the speech on the BBC-Africa radio program.

On the summit of the heads of states of the Entente Council a prominent article in

2. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported on the outcome of the summit that was recently held in Yamoussoukro. According to the report, the final communiqué called on member states to support the restoration initiatives of the regional integration institution and urged participants to sustain efforts to achieve stability in the region and fight illicit practices, which are hindering its progress.   

3. On voter registration, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition), reported on UN special envoy Mr. Choi’s comment, in which he said: “We must work to overcome the technical challenge of data processing and planning.” According to the paper, this step is crucial and needs to be addressed properly, especially with regards to planning for the presidential elections that are scheduled for later this year.

July 10, 2009

President Barack Obama’s maiden visit to Ghana was the major topic in today’s Ivorian press. The Ivorian Government’s decision to hold upcoming presidential elections on November 29, 2009; the civic society’s observations on the voters registration exercise and the meeting of ministers of the Entente Council in Yamoussoukro also made the news. The other major issue was the UNDP’s support to the reintegration of former combatants.

1. President Obama’s official two-day visit in Ghana was the banner headline in many dailies. A front-page headline in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said the American President, who arrives in Accra today, wants Africa to become self-reliance. The paper further noted that the visit of President Obama is to promote his policy for the African continent and to pay tribute to the Ghanaian people for their efforts towards democracy and good governance. The article quoted Deputy Secretary of State for African Affairs Mr. Jhonnie Carson as saying: “This is a historic event”. The United States, the paper suggested, wants to use this visit to encourage the whole African continent and its people to uphold the principles of democracy and rule of law as the prerequisite for its development.

2. Reporting on the same topic, L’inter (an independent daily) depicted the prevailing atmosphere in Ghana and reported the Ghanaian Information Secretary of State, Mr. Samuel Ablakwa, as saying: “This visit will undoubtedly boost investment in the country”.

3. President Obama’s visit to Accra was also a subject of a prominent article in L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) which noted some shortcomings in the preparation of the event. The paper opined that other countries in the sub region could have been associated to this visit.

4. On home issues, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) reported on the recent Council of Ministers Meeting where President Laurent Gbagbo renewed his Government’s commitment to hold the upcoming presidential elections on November 29, 2009. According to the paper, the Ivorian leader rejected any demand to extend the voter registration exercise that was completed on June 30, 2009. More on the controversy over the date of the polls, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) denounced what it called “Gbagbo’s double standard stance” on the issue.

5. L’Expression (a daily close to the opposition) reported on some observations made by Cote d’Ivoire’s civic groups on the identification process. Addressing the issue during a press conference, the President of the group, Patrick N’Gouan indicated that the operation was carried out in a satisfactory manner and called on the Independent Electoral Commission to focus on the next steps in a bid to speed up the electoral process. Reporting the same issue, Soir Info (a privately owned daily) noted that the Ivorian civic society called on the independent electoral commission to elaborate and release a calendar for the remaining tasks to be completed in preparation of the polls.

6. In a related development, L’Expression (a daily close to the opposition) told readers that the leader of the Young Patriots, Charles Ble Goude called for a two-week extension of the voter registration exercise to allow those who could not register to do so.

7. L’inter (an independent daily) reported on the Entente Council ministers’ meeting in Yamoussoukro. The gathering, the paper indicated, is to promote regional integration, solidarity and political consultation among the member countries. The ministers’ meeting will be followed by a Summit of the Heads of States scheduled for July 11, 2009 in the Ivorian political capital of Yamoussoukro.

8. Finally a report in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said that the UNDP is to support the reintegration of former combatants. Financed by the French Cooperation to the tune of $1.3 million, the project is to provide commercial kits, vehicles and training materials to support the reintegration of former combatants in Bouake and Katiola, the paper added.

July 9, 2009

The voter registration exercise for the upcoming presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire continued to be the major issue in the Ivorian press, today. Reports on the violation of United Nations sanctions by one of the people accused of blocking the peace process; the meeting of the ministers of the Entente Council on regional issues in Yamoussoukro; and President Obama’s June 10-11 visit to Ghana, were the other major stories in the dailies. One paper reported on funeral plans for Michael Jackson by the people of Krindjabo, a gold-mining village near Abidjan.

1. In a prominent story, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling FPI party) said that the position taken by some members of the ruling FPI party on the voter registration exercise “threatens” the upcoming presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire. The report said that a few days after the exercise was completed, cadres of the party, including the Speaker of the Parliament [also vice-president of the FPI], are calling for another extension of the voter registration exercise. The paper further noted that Charles Ble Goude, the leader of the Young Patriots [a staunch supporter of President Laurent Gbagbo], adopted a similar stance on the issue during his talk on national TV two days ago. The paper opined that such stance by FPI’s supporters is part of what it calls “a vast strategy calculated to delay the peace process.”

2. On the same subject, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) said “In a bid to create disorder and delay the elections, the FPI wants to wake up its street dogs.”  According to the paper, the ruling party was taken by surprise when the Prime Minister and the President of the Independent Electoral Commission announced the end of the voter registration exercise on Tuesday, June 30, 2009. The paper also said that to counter this decision, the FPI is planning to call on the youth in Abidjan to resort to violence to press for another round of registration exercises.

3. A report in L’inter (an independent daily) said that about two million Ivorians are disfranchised as a result of the conclusion of the registration on June 30. The paper said that the program, which was launched in September 2008, was expected to have registered at least 8 million potential voters. The paper further said that the reported number of 6.5 million Ivoirians, registered during the exercise, is below this projection.

4. In a related development, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported that out of 45,000 Ivoirians living in the United States, 3,700 were registered; this represents only 10 per cent of Ivoirians in the US. The paper also said that in the western region of Man, more than 5,000 people were not registered.

5. Still on matters concerning the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire, Fraternite Matin said that the French Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire Jean-Marc Simon called for the reestablishment of the state authority throughout the country. The French diplomat, who was speaking Wednesday in Abidjan after a meeting with the U.N. Envoy in Cote d’Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, reportedly said that the electoral process is one of the key elements in the peace process that would lead to the total reunification of the country.

6. A report in Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) said that the National Council of Audiovisual Communication (CNCA) – a government watchdog committee – yesterday met with representatives of Ivorian Workers Party (PIT) and the Union for Democracy and Peace in Cote d’Ivoire (UDPCI). The meeting was part of a series of consultations initiated by the CNCA to address the issue relating to parties’ access to the state broadcasting media.

7. On other issues, L’inter carried a prominent story explaining how Martin Kouakou Fofie, a commander in the New Forces movement – the former rebel movement –, succeeded in bypassing a U.N sanction imposed on him and other two Ivorian political figures. According to the paper, the Sanctions Committee had discovered that the former rebel leader had forged his identity documents to open a bank account in Burkina Faso. [NOTE: Since February 2006, the United Nations Security Council had slapped a travel ban and also froze the assets of three political figures in Cote d’Ivoire, who were accused of hampering efforts to bring peace to the country. Those sanctioned are: Charles Ble Goude and Eugene Djue, leaders of the Young Patriots movement loyal to President Gbagbo, who called supporters onto the streets to demand the departure of U.N. and French peacekeepers. The third person is Martin Kouakou Fofie, who was linked by the Sanctions Committee to human rights violations in the northern city of Korhogo.]

8. On regional issues, a report in Fraternite Matin said that ministers of the Entente Council member countries are meeting in Yamoussoukro in their efforts to revive the dormant regional body. According to the report, the purpose of the meeting is to prepare a Head of States summit, which is scheduled for July 11, 2009. The paper also said that the promotion of solidarity, political consultations, and regional cooperation projects will be high on the agenda. [NOTE: Created on May 29, 1959 the Entente Council is composed of Cote d'Ivoire, Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso), Dahomey (now Benin), Niger, and Togo, which became a member in 1966.]  

9. As President Barack Obama is expected tomorrow in Accra, for his maiden visit to the sub-Saharan Africa, Fraternite Matin said the whole of Ghana is “singing Obama’s song”. According to the report, large billboards with messages: “Welcome President Obama” or “Welcome to Ghana” can be seen everywhere in Ghana. The paper further said that Ghana and the United States have established a tangible bond through many projects, including those via the U.S.-supported Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). Nord-Sud Quotidien carried an invitation from american.gov to Africans to send a message to President Obama.

10. Finally Soir Info informed readers that the people of Krindjabo, a small community in the South eastern Cote d’Ivoire, are preparing a traditional funeral for Michael Jackson. The people of Krindjabo, who crowned the king of pop during his visit to Cote d’Ivoire, believe that the late singer belongs to their kinship. (According to media reports, in 1994, at his then Neverland Ranch,  Michael Jackson received Etche Elleingand, mayor of Oboisso, who was a representative of the King of Krindjabo.)

July 8, 2009

Reports in Ivorian press today were again dominated by the ongoing peace process. A meeting between the President of the Independent Electoral Commission and Prime Minister Guillaume Soro over the registration exercise and U.N. Special Envoy, Mr. Choi’s pronouncement on the peace process were major topics in today’s dailies. Reports also focused on Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize awarded yesterday to Brazilian President; French Ambassador’s credential letters and a strike at the Ministry of Interior. On U.S. issues, the dailies also reported on the funerals ceremony of the American pop star Michael Jackson.

1. On the voters registration exercise, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported on the meeting on Tuesday between the President of the Ivorian Independent Electoral Commission, Robert Beugre Mambe, and the Prime Minister. The paper quoted the electoral commissioner saying the voter registration exercise is over; this in accordance with the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. The paper further reported on the tasks to be completed in preparation of the upcoming presidential elections including data processing and how to settle dispute that may come up after the publication of the provisional voters’ roll.

In a related development, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) indicated that the processing of data collected during the registration will start on July 20, 2009. The paper explained that this operation will help cross check information and minimize frauds and mistakes.

2. In another front-page article, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported on U.N. Special Envoy Y. J. Choi’s interview on the Ivorian peace process. Mr. Choi reportedly said that only the voters’ registration exercise is closed and that the identification process will continue. He said: “Request for further extension of the exercise could be submitted by political parties and others in accordance with of the electoral laws.”

3. Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) shed light on the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize ceremony held yesterday in Paris. Awarded to Brazilian President Luis Ignacio Lula da Silva, the paper indicated that many African heads of states and political leaders including Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade and former Ivorian President Mr. Henri Konan Bedie were present at the ceremony. The paper quoted the recipient who paid tribute to the people of Africa and pledged to support the continent. Organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize was awarded to President Lula for his support for peace, dialogue, democracy, social justice and equal rights.

Still on this topic, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party), published pictures of the ceremony as well as the speech Mr. Bedie delivered during the ceremony where he paid tribute to President Lula and UNESCO General Secretary for their commitment to the peace prize.

4. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported that four diplomats, including new French ambassador H.E Jean-Marc Simon, yesterday presented their credentials letters to the Ivorian President, Laurent Gbagbo. Mr. Jean-Marc Simon used the occasion to renew France’s commitment to work with Cote d’Ivoire, the paper indicated.

5. Le Quotidient (a daily close to the ruling FPI Party) reported a strike at the Ministry of Interior. According to the paper, workers launched a three day-strike to press for better working conditions.

6. Finally, many Ivorian newspapers reported on the funeral of the American pop star, Michael Jackson’s held yesterday in Los Angeles. L’inter (an independent daily), in a prominent article, indicated that the world paid tribute to the King and called Michael Jackson “the greatest entertainer ever”.

July 7, 2009

Cote d’Ivoire’s press today pondered the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire. The dailies also critically looked at the political landscape and the general atmosphere as Cote d’Ivoire prepares for landmark presidential elections. The arrival of the new French Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire; child trafficking; Ambassador Nesbitt’s speech on America’s Independence Day celebration and President Obama’s July 10-11 maiden visit to Accra, Ghana were the other major stories in the dailies. Papers continue to report on Michael Jackson’s death; in its June 3 issue, Fraternite Matin carried the Ivorian government’s condolence message to the government of the United States.

1. In Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily), a prominent story talked about the head of the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI), Y. J. Choi’s comment that September 2009 will mark “a turning point” in the electoral process underway in Cote d’Ivoire. According to the paper, Choi was speaking Monday in Abidjan at a press conference on the peace process. Presidential elections are set to be held in Cote d’Ivoire on November 29. Responding to a question regarding the demand for another extension on the voter registration exercise that was completed on Tuesday, June 30, 2009, Mr. Choi said: “It’s the responsibility of national bodies, including the independent electoral commission or the national commission for the supervision of the identification, to see to this request.”

2. More on the voter registration exercise, a front-page story in Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said that the independent electoral commission has admitted to have disfranchised many Ivorians. The paper suggested that the electoral body could reconsider its decision not to extend the exercise. The paper also said that a source close to the commission said that only a political decision could help overturn the situation. Still on the same issue, a story in L’inter (an independent daily) said that the decision to extend or not the registration exercise could be known today as the Ivorian Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with all the key players in the identification and the voter registration processes.

3. Speaking Monday about the November 29 presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire, the new French Ambassador, Jean-Marc Simon, expressed optimism, reported Fraternite Matin. “I’ve no doubt. I note the decisions that had been taken by the Ivorian authorities and I’ve no comment about that.” According to L’Expression (a daily close to the opposition), Ambassador Simon said: “November 29 will be respected.”

4. On the ongoing disarmament process, the Ivorian Defense Minister, Michel Amani N’Guessan, reaffirmed Cote d’Ivoire’s commitment not to regress. According to Fraternite Matin, N’Guessan said: “The peace process has now reached a turning point. Cote d’Ivoire is committed to peace and development.” N’Guessan said this at a ceremony, where the U.N mission in Cote d’Ivoire presented items to support the disarmament program. The paper also reported that the Deputy U.N. Envoy to Cote d’Ivoire, Abou Moussa, said: “UNOCI is committed to continuously provide logistic and technical supports in a bid to create good conditions for the up-coming elections.”

5. A report in Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) said that political parties and civic groups, including the Ivorian Movement of Human Rights, called on the Ivorian army not to meddle in politics. “The Forces of Defense and Security [government’s forces] should stick to their regalia role,” the paper quoted Mr. Drissa Traore, the President of Ivorian Movement of Human Rights as saying. [NOTE: Media reports recently quoted the Chief of Staff of Defense and Security Forces, General Philippe Mangou, asking Ivorian political leaders “to respect the army.” General Mangou, reports said, was reacting to a statement made by Ivorian opposition leader Alassane Dramane Ouattara describing the bombardment of Bouake in 2004 by government’s forces in an attempt to retake the city then under the control of the New Forces as “stupid, barbaric and shameful.”] Meanwhile, Notre Voie carried a prominent story in which the President of the Ruling FPI party, who was reacting to Ouattara’s statement, questioned the political maturity of the Ivorian opposition leader.          

6. The political landscape in Cote d’Ivoire in the run-up to the country’s presidential elections was also a subject of front-page story in Le Patriote. According to the paper, the Union for Democracy and Peace in Cote d’Ivoire (UDPCI), the party of the late Ivorian military junta leader, General Robert Guei, is on the brink of collapse. The paper said that President Laurent Gbagbo is behind moves to break up this party; and this was part of his agenda to impose the ruling party’s supremacy in Cote d’Ivoire’s western regions.

7. A prominent story in Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) told readers that President Gbagbo and his opponent Alassane Dramane Ouattara are engaged in what the paper called “multi-billion political campaigns.” The paper said that during recent political rallies across the country, Gbagbo and Ouattara promised to spend billions of CFAs on development programs.

8. On another issue, a report in Nord-Sud Quotidien said that the police recently impounded two vehicles carrying 20 children in the south-western city of Soubre. According to the paper, the children are from Burkina Faso and were victims of child trafficking.

9. L’inter published the full text of Ambassador Nesbitt’s speech on the 2009 Independence Day celebration of the United States. The paper highlighted key points of the message, in which the U.S. diplomat reaffirmed the support of the American government to the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire. “We congratulate the government for the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement and note that many progress has been made, notably the successful completion of the audiences foraines [public hearings] and the identification process,” the message said. Reporting on the same message, AIP (the state-own news agency), carried a story on its web site, saying that Ambassador Nesbitt called on the international community to continue to support the Ivorian peace process. Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) also reported on the speech and highlighted the ambassador’s call for the international community’s support to the peace process. 

10. As President Barack Obama is expected in Ghana on July 10-11, Le Temps said that the American President will carry a message of “audacity and hope” to Africa. The paper described the president’s maiden visit to Africa as a “great symbol.”

10. On Michael Jackson’s death, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) in its June 3rd edition carried a condolence message from the Ivorian government to the government of the United States The message said: “His death constitutes a heavy loss for his family, American people, Africans and for millions of fans across the world.”

July 6, 2009

Today’s Ivorian press reported on comments by the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission that the voter registration exercise, which officially ended on Tuesday, June 30, 2009, will not be extended. The general political atmosphere in this West African country in the run-up to the up-coming presidential elections was also a major story in the papers today and others over the weekend. The International Crisis Group’s assessment of the political situation in Cote d’Ivoire, and reports on the   eradication of child labor in Cote d’Ivoire were also in the news. On U.S. issues, the dailies reported on Ambassador Wanda L. Nesbitt’s speech on July 4 celebration and President Obama’s July 10-11 maiden visit to Accra, Ghana.  

1. A prominent story in today’s Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said that the voter registration exercise is over. The report said this was announced by Mr. Robert Beugre Mambe, the head of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), the body tasked with organizing Cote d’Ivoire’s presidential elections billed for November 29. Mr. Mambe made the announcement on Saturday in Ouagadougou after a meeting with Burkinabe President Blaise Compaore who is also the facilitator in the Ivorian peace process, the report said. On the outcome of the voter registration exercise that was completed on Tuesday, June 30, 2009, the paper quoted the Commissioner, who said: “Between six to seven million persons have been registered and final results of the operation will be announced publicly next week.” According to the paper the Commissioner said that the next step is to process the data collected during the exercise in order to come out with a provisional voters’ roll.   

2. In a prominent story, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) confirmed the decision by the Electoral Commissioner not to extend the voter registration exercise. According to the report, the Commissioner said that this decision was “conform to the roadmap agreed upon during the May 18 meeting of the CPC (a committee overseeing the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement).” The Commissioner further said that the electoral body will meet the November 29 deadline in organizing the upcoming presidential elections. In its weekend edition, Le Nouveau Reveil said that the Independent Electoral Commission had announced the end of the voter registration exercise and that the New Forces – Cote d’Ivoire’s former rebels – had also called for the respect of the electoral timetable. The paper further stated the New Forces also noted that “The date for the end of the exercise was to conform to recommendations of May 18 meeting of the CPC.”

3. On International Crisis Group’s report on the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire, L’inter (an independent daily) in its weekend’s issue told readers that the situation in Cote d’Ivoire calls for “concern.” In the report, it said: “To avoid jeopardizing Cote d’Ivoire’s peace agreement, President Laurent Gbagbo and other Ivorian leaders must speed up implementation of its key provisions before the November election.” On the 2007 Ouagadougou Political Agreement, the report said: “The disarmament process is at a standstill, with 9,000 former rebels yet to be integrated into reorganized police and armed forces, and up to 20,000 pro-government militias are also still in place. Arms destruction has been negligible, limited to a small amount of weapons. The economic crisis aggravates the situation by putting legions of poor and idle young men at the disposal of the Com-Zones [New Forces’ military commanders] and pro-government militias.”         

4. On the general political atmosphere in Cote d’Ivoire, Fraternite Matin said the Chief of Staff of Defense and Security Forces, General Philippe Mangou, warned Ivorian political leaders “to respect the army.” The paper quoted General Mangou, who was meeting with his troops on Thursday, as saying “We ask them to respect and to have consideration for defense and security forces that are making everything possible to ensure their security and to enable them to go about with their campaign.” According to the paper, the Ivorian military commander was reacting to recent declarations by Ivorian opposition leader Alassane Dramane Ouattara. According to the paper, during a political rally a fortnight ago, Mr. Ouattara described the bombardment of Bouake in 2004 by government’s forces in an attempt to retake the city then under the control of the New Forces as “stupid, barbaric and shameful.”

5. As Cote d’Ivoire gears up for landmark presidential elections, a prominent story in the weekend’s issue of Soir Info (an independent daily) said France “doubts” that the elections will take place on November 29. The paper said that French Foreign Affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner was skeptical about the electoral timetable. According to the paper, the French diplomat, who was speaking in Dakar, last week had this to say on the coming Ivorian elections: “We still hope but we are more and more disappointed… I hope that elections would effectively take place according to plan.”

6. On another development, Le Temps (a daily close of the ruling FPI party) in its Friday’s issue reported on Ambassador Nesbitt’s July 1 meeting with the executive secretariat of the child labor monitoring system in Cote d’Ivoire. According to the paper, the meeting allowed Ambassador Nesbitt to acquaint herself with the achievements of this committee.

7. “Cote d’Ivoire has made progress,” Notre Voie (a daily close of the ruling FPI party) quoted Ambassador Nesbitt as saying. The paper was reporting on the ambassador’s speech during a reception July 3 in Abidjan to mark 233rd anniversary of the American Independence Day. In a related development, Fraternite Matin published a commentary from an independent contributor on the declaration of American independence. The writer said this declaration paved the way for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948 by the United Nations.

8. As President Obama is expected in Accra on July 10-11, L’inter devoted the whole back page of its weekend’s issue to publish a photo album depicting the visits of past American presidents to Africa. The paper culled photo album from: http://photos.america.gov/galleries/amgov/4110/africa_fr/.      

July 2, 2009

Reports in today’s Ivorian press said that four journalists of the newspaper Le Patriote have been summoned by the police. The conclusion of the voter registration exercise on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 was again a major subject in the Ivorian press. Government’s efforts to create a new Ivorian army and move to bring Ivorian refugees back home were the other major stories in the press. The newspapers also reported on U.S. Embassy’s HIV/AIDS Caravan organized in Daloa on June 24 and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson’s interview on President Obama’s July 10-11 visit to Ghana.   

1. A front-page story in Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) said that four journalists working with Le Patriote have been summoned to report to the police today. [NOTE: Le Patriote is a daily close RDR, the party of Ivorian opposition leader Alassane Dramane Ouattara; and observed to be critical of Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo.] The paper named the journalists who are summoned as Charles Sanga publisher; Emmanuel Kore chief editor; Bakary Nimanga copy editor and Inza Kigbafory reporter. The report said that the motive behind the summons is yet to be known. The paper went on to warn that “At this fragile pre-electoral period in Cote d’Ivoire, any threat on press freedom could jeopardize the peace process.” It added: “The summons of four journalists from a same media outlet is a cause of concerns.” In a front-page story, Le Patriote confirmed that the four journalists have been summoned by the police. The report had it that attempt by the publisher of this paper to obtain the reason behind the injunction remained futile.        

2. In the wake of the conclusion of the voter registration exercise, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) carried reactions from Cote d’Ivoire’s different political divides on the issue. Mamadou Koulibaly, the Speaker of the National Assembly and a leading member of the ruling FPI party, suggested that the ideal would be that the registration should not stop until everyone is enrolled. The paper quoted Mr. Koulibaly, who recalled a statement made earlier, by President Laurent Gbagbo, saying: “As long as an Ivorian eligible to vote is not registered, there won’t be election.” He reportedly said: “The exclusion was used as a pretext of the long crisis that we’re facing. Therefore, there is no reason to exclude Ivorians today.”

3. Other reactions in Fraternite Matin came from the former ruling PDCI-RDA party. “The voter registration exercise should end one day… because at a point during the process, there is a need to finish drawing up the voters’ roll; and go to polls to end the crisis,” the paper quoted Alphonse Djedje Mady spokesperson of the party as saying. On the position of the opposition RDR party on the matter, the paper quoted a cadre of the party saying: “RDR’s political position is that the first round of the presidential election should necessarily come on November 29, 2009 in compliance with the Independent Electoral Commission’s decision that was endorsed by the government. The RDR will fight anything that will go against this decision. If the extension of the voter registration exercise, even for one day, would delay the polls, I tell you that the RDR won’t accept it.” Meanwhile, the New Forces is calling upon the Ivorian political stakeholders to find a “consensus” on this matter, reported the paper. 

4. Reporting on the outcomes of the voter registration exercise, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) published the number of Ivorians that were counted in each region according to statistics published on June 15. According to the report, the Ivorian economic capital Abidjan recorded the highest number with 97.37 per cent of its population registered. The lowest turn-outs during the registration process were noted in the western regions where less than 50 per cent of the population was registered in some areas.        

5. Efforts by Ivorian government to create a new Ivorian army and the deployment an 8,000 joint contingent of government forces and New Forces were a subject of front-page story in L’inter (an independent daily). The paper quoted New Forces’ military commander General Soumaila Bakayoko saying that logistic problems are holding back the deployment of the joint contingents tasked with ensuring security throughout the country during the electoral process. According to the paper, General Bakayoko was speaking Wednesday after a meeting of the committee supervising the redeployment and accommodation of the troops.

6. Reporting on the same meeting; Fraternite Matin quoted the Minister of Defense, Michel Amani N’Guessan, who reassured Ivorians that “Necessary measures have been taken to enable the deployment an 8,000 joint contingent and to provide accommodation for 5,000 volunteers of the New Forces to join the new army.”

7. More on the peace process, a report in Fraternite Matin said the government of Cote d’Ivoire and UNHCR are working together to enable 12,000 Ivorian refugees to return home. The report said that the repatriation program designed by UNHCR takes into account the improvement of security and reinforcement of social cohesion among the Ivorian population as well as poltical and military leaders. The program for the repatriation of the refugees, the paper said, will be completed by January 2010. 

8. L’Expression (a daily close to the opposition) reported on U.S. Embassy’s HIV/AIDS Caravan organized in Daloa on June 24. The program included films projection; HIV/AIDS testing and a live radio program on the importance of testing.

9. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) and L’inter published the full story June 17 interview of Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson with www.America.gov on President Obama’s July 10-11 visit to Accra, Ghana. Still on President Obama’s visit to Accra, L’Expression published a commentary suggesting that the visit of President Obama to Ghana is “recognition of democracy and good governance.”

July 1, 2009

Reports in today’s Ivorian press said that thousands of Ivoirians were not able to register by the conclusion of the voter registration exercise on Tuesday, June 30, 2009.  Issues, including security, during the electoral process in Cote d’Ivoire, also made the news. Other major news stories were on the latest developments in the coffee and cocoa industry embezzlement case; human rights issues; Ivorian refugees abroad; and health issues. On U.S. issues, a daily published Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson’s interview on President Obama’s July 10-11 visit to Ghana. The state-owned daily Fraternite Matin commented on the U.S. Government’s decision to withdraw its troops from Iraq.

1. A prominent story in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said that thousands of Ivoirians at home and abroad could not register by the end date (June 30, 2009) for the voter registration exercise, which would allow them to vote in the November 29 presidential elections. According to the paper, technical problems during the registration exercise associated with delays in the re-establishment of birth and death registers in Cote d’Ivoire were the major causes. The report said that in some areas, registration agents were taken hostage by angry petitioners as the registration process officially ended yesterday. The report further quoted disenfranchised petitioners who are calling for the registration exercise to be extended. However, the paper reported that Robert Beugre Mambe, the head of the Independent Electoral Commission and Ivorian Prime Minister Guillaume Soro confirmed that the registration process will not be extended.

2. Reporting on the same issue, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) carried a front-page story which said that petitioners are calling for another round of registration exercises. The paper said that petitioners are also calling on the Ivorian authorities to review their decision to hold elections on November 29.

3. In a front-page story, Soir Info (an independent daily) reported that Kouadio Konan Bertin, the leader of the JPDCI – the youth wing of the former ruling PDCI-RDA party, has vowed “to make the situation untenable shall the elections do not come on November 29.” Speaking on Tuesday in Abidjan during a meeting with his supporters, the opposition youth leader said: “Get ready, we’ll fight under the sun and under the rain. I don’t think Gbagbo is ready to organize elections on November 29. Fortunately, Prime Minister Guillaume Soro has declared recently that the situation will be untenable if there is no election on November 29. I support him, and together we’ll fight to make the situation become untenable.”

4. More on the JPDCI leader’s declaration, Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) said Kouadio Konan Bertin is preparing to fight the Young Patriots (a movement supportive of President Laurent Gbagbo). According to the paper, the opposition youth leader, who introduced Tuesday new members of his movement, said the motive of recruiting fresh members was “to find youth that will be capable to face the Young Patriots.”

5. In a related development, L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) carried a three-page interview with Charles Ble Goude, the leader of the Pan-African Congress for Young Patriots (COJEP), and a staunch supporter of President Gbagbo. The paper, which highlighted some key points of Ble Goude’s speech, said the youth leader was very critical of the Ivorian opposition leader Alassane Dramane Ouattara; Ble Goude has accused Ouattara of “holding back” the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire.

6. As Cote d’Ivoire prepares for landmark presidential elections, a report in Fraternite Matin said that security during the electoral process was on the top of the issues discussed at a meeting yesterday between the head of the Independent Electoral Commission Robert Beugre Mambe and the Defense Minister, Michel Amani N’Guessan. According to the paper, the Electoral Commissioner explained that beside the population, the registration centers have to be protected. He reportedly said: “We are talking about extremely sensible centers that need to be secured now, because after the registration exercise, we will be processing the data collected… We hope that you’ll support us in our efforts to organize peaceful elections.”

7. Still on the upcoming elections, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) reported that Francis Wodie, the leader of the Ivorian Workers Party (PIT), questioned “the credibility” of Cote d’Ivoire’s Constitutional Council. According to the paper, Wodie, who was speaking on UNOCI FM [a U.N. radio station in Abidjan], expressed doubts about the impartiality of the Constitutional Council, the body tasked with settling electoral disputes. The paper further said that Mr. Wodie, a renowned lawyer, is calling for “an independent and impartial body” because the composition of the actual Constitutional Council does not guarantee its “independence and impartiality.”      

8. L’inter (an independent daily): A prominent story in this paper said five top government officials are to be interrogated in connection with the probing into the alleged embezzlement in the Ivorian coffee and cocoa industry. The paper said that the five officials are all ministers in the current administration and that they had earlier been questioned in connection with this scandal. According to the paper, the five ministers are Antoine Bohoun Bouabre former Economy and Finance Minister (Minister of Planning and Development in the current cabinet); Amadou Gon Coulibaly Minister of Agriculture; Alphonse Douaty Animal Resources and Fishery Minister; Sebastien Dano Djedje former Minister of Animal Resources and Fishery and Charles Diby Koffi current Economy and Finance Minister.

9. In a related development, Soir Info told readers that Ivorian top officials, who have been jailed since 2008 in connection with alleged embezzlement in the Ivorian coffee and cocoa industry, are to appear for a hearing in an Abidjan court today. The paper said the decision to hold a hearing for these officials, resulted from several protests denouncing their “illegal” imprisonment. The paper further said that human rights groups recently denounced “this long preventive detention.” 

10. On human rights issues, Le Nouveau Reveil said Cote d’Ivoire’s National Commission for Human Rights, (CNDHCI) in its recent report, brought to light human rights violations committed by government’s forces, New Forces (the Ivorian former rebel group),  militia groups and FESCI (Ivorian students’ organization). However, the paper noted that the commission did not investigate the bad living conditions of inmates in MACA – a prison in Abidjan.

11. A front-page story in L’inter said that some 21,000 Ivorian refugees are still living abroad. The paper said that according to  UNHCR,  about 66 per cent of these refugees are living in West African countries including Liberia, Guinea (Conakry), Mali, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Togo. The report further said that 46 per cent of the refugees are women.

12. On health issues, a report in Notre Voie said that PEPFAR is to provide care for about 1,425 people in Cote d’Ivoire. The assistance will be targeted to people living with the HIV/AIDS, orphans, and vulnerable children. According to the paper, this was announced recently during a workshop organized by ANADER, a PEPFAR partner in the eastern city of Abengourou.

13. On U.S.-African issues, Notre Heures (a daily close to the opposition) published the full text of a June 17 interview of Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson with www.America.gov on President Obama’s July 10-11 visit to Accra, Ghana.

14. “America restores Iraq’s sovereignty,” said a commentary in Fraternite Matin. This is the headline of a commentary in response to the pullout of U.S. troops from Iraqi cities. The commentary highlighted President Obama’s reaction, in which he said the event was an “important step” towards the complete U.S. pullout from the war that began six years ago.

July 16, 2009

Today’s reports in the Ivorian dailies focused on the electoral process. The papers also reported on the UN special Envoy Mr. Choi’s working meeting with the head of the Independent Electoral Commission; US Ambassador Nesbitt’s audience with the Ivorian Prime Minister; and the address of the newly-appointed French Ambassador on the observance of France’s independence. Reports on the International Association for Social Security as well as reports on reforms in the Ivorian cocoa sector were also in the papers today.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported on the working meeting between the UN Special Representative in Cote d’Ivoire, Mr. Choi and the President of the Independent Electoral Commission, Mr. Robert Mambe. According to the paper, the discussions focused on developments in the voter registration exercise and the issues to be addressed to ensure its successful completion. The paper said that Mr. Choi applauded the commission’s accomplishments and referred to the commission’s work as “a significant step forward and a historic and strategic achievement.” Mambe, in response, expressed gratitude to the UN for its continued support to the process.

 

More on the electoral process; Notre Heure (a daily close to the opposition) reported that electoral materials and kits are now available. According to the paper, these voting materials include ballot boxes and polling booths. On the financing of the process, Mambe said that the Ministry of Finance and Economy is working on this to ensure the timely provision of funds.

 

L’ Expression (a daily close to the opposition) reported on the meeting of the Monitoring and Follow-Up Committee of the Political Agreement of Ouagadougou, which was chaired by the special representative of the facilitator Mr. Boureima Badini. According to the report, the meeting’s final communiqué said that the “basket” of funds for the elections will soon be consolidated. 

 

2. On US relations, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) reported on US Ambassador Wanda Nesbitt’s audience with Prime Minister Soro Guillaume, yesterday. According to the paper, the discussions focused mainly on the ongoing electoral process. Ambassador Nesbitt told reporters that “Prime Minister Soro recommitted the Government’s efforts to organize the polls as scheduled.”

 

3. On France-Cote d’Ivoire bilateral relations, Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) reported on the address by the newly-appointed French Ambassador Jean-Marc Simon on the commemoration of France’s independence - July 14. The paper said that Ambassador Jean-Marc Simon called for a new partnership between the two countries and recommitted France’s support in the ongoing peace process.

 

4. The International Association for Social Security has reopened its field office in Abidjan. Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) told readers that this office will serve as the liaison agency for the 15 countries of the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States.) In his address, the Secretary General of the association, Mr. Hans-Horst, reiterated that the organization will undertake various actions to promote social security through policies that will enhance development and social justice.

 

5. Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported on reforms on improving Ivorian cocoa quality.  According to the report, national producers have initiated reforms to gain competiveness. The report also said that former US Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire, Ambassador Lannon Walker recently met with Ivorian cocoa managers to discuss the issue. According to the paper, Ambassador Lannon recommitted the American chocolate industry’s support in the ongoing reforms.