March 23, 2009

The brief detention of an Ivorian opposition figure who allegedly called on Ivorians to follow the example of Madagascar whose president was forced out last week was one of the prominent items in today’s newspapers. The daily also reported on the incarceration of an Ivorian journalist who was scheduled to appear in court this week on libel charges related to a column critical of President Laurent Gbagbo. In other front-page stories, the Ivorian newspapers expressed concerns about the electoral process underway in this country. Other major reports were on economic issues.

1. A prominent story in Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) said that Mr. Innocent Anaky Kobena, leader of the Movement of Future Forces, defies President Gbagbo and the army. According to the report, the opposition leader, who was released over the weekend shortly after his arrest, told reporters that “I insist and maintain what I said.” The opposition leader was a guest speaker during a TV show with the state-run television network on March 18. “During the TV program, I particularly insisted that the people of Cote d’Ivoire must stand up against the increasing misery that they have been facing and fight for their welfare… They tried to do a rapprochement between my statement and events unfolding in Madagascar. I did not incite Ivorians to revolt. I just said that Ivorians must learn from the example in Madagascar,” the paper quoted the opposition leader as saying.

2. In a front-page story, L’inter (an independent daily) carried a picture of the leader of the Movement of Future Forces in a defiant mood, and quoted him as saying “Days to come will be tough.” The opposition leader reportedly went on to say “If my statement was seditious, it is the duty of the State Prosecutor to handle this matter and not the responsibility of the army to arrest me.” In a separate story, the paper commented that the Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo has what the paper called “a hidden agenda designed to enfeeble the opposition.” Reporting on the same issue, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition) said that Ivorians are concerned about the position of the army; and wondered whether the army would play “a neutral role” in the coming elections.

3. Still on the same issue, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA) denounced what it called “the army’s big mistakes.” The paper also published a statement issued by the Ivorian Labor Party (PIT) which appealed to the government “to use legal procedures” in dealing with sensitive issues. Commenting on the incarceration of an Ivorian journalist for defaming the President of Republic, Le Nouveau Reveil said that Ivorian journalists are in “danger.”

4. However, a prominent report in Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said that the incarceration of the journalist and the brief detention of the opposition leader marked the end of “carelessness” in Cote d’Ivoire. In a related development, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) quoted the Ivorian Interior Minister, Desire Tagro, as saying that the recent statement made by Mr. Anaky Kobena “violated the Article 169 of the Criminal Code.” The paper published a statement issued by the ministry saying that the opposition leader’s statement “threatens public security or is likely provoke serious political unrests; and throws State’s institutions in jeopardy.”

5. The peace process in Cote d’Ivoire was the other major item in Fraternite Matin. A banner headline carried by this paper said that plan to hold presidential elections this year hangs in the balance, as the population identification process and the restoration of the State’s authority throughout the country have been delayed. According to the report, the big problem now facing the Ivorian political stakeholders and bodies involved in the electoral process is how to agree on “a tenable electoral time table.”

6. A front-page story in Notre Voie said that barring the expected, all the political stakeholders and bodies involved in the electoral process would be meeting with President Gbagbo today “in a bid to speed up” the peace process. The paper further said that this “crucial conclave” will also bring together military commanders; and will mainly focus on “on ways to come out with a final calendar for the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement.” As reports said political stakeholders are set to meet today on the peace process, L’inter predicted that this week would mark a turning-point in the peace process.

7. On economic issues, a report in Fraternite Matin said that since its inception, the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund has opened an office in Cote d’Ivoire; the first Francophone country to host this institution. This multi-million dollar institution was presented on March 20, 2009 to businessmen in Abidjan. Funded by many international donors including the African Development Bank and UK's Department for International Development (DFID), the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund helps support enterprises in the private sector in order to improve living conditions in African rural communities.    

MEDIA REACTION TO U.S. – EMBASSY ABIDJAN – AND OTHER WORLD ISSUES

In their weekend issues, Fraternite Matin and Nord-Sud Quotidien reported on the HIV/AIDS caravan and the media programs that PAS organized in the northern city of Korhogo and the central city of Bouake last week. Reporting on the HIV/AIDS caravan in Korhogo, Fraternite Matin quoted PAO, Sharon White, as saying that this program was organized in connection with the PEPFAR-sponsored campaign against HIV/AIDS in Cote d’Ivoire. Nord-Sud Quotidien reported that about 30 regional reporters from Bouake took part in a roundtable discussion on independent journalism. The discussions focused on “The Handbook of Independent Journalism,” an e-Journal published by the International Information Program (IIP) of the Department of State.    

March 19, 2009

President Gbagbo’s return from the meeting in Ouagadougou; the opposition’s plea for exiled political leaders to return home; and the meeting between U.S. Ambassador Wanda Nesbitt and opposition leader Bedie, were the lead stories in today’s Ivoirian papers. Also, papers continue to report on President Gbagbo’s postponed visit to the Western region of Cote d’Ivoire.

1. A headline in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) about Presidents Gbagbo’s return from the meeting in Ouagadougou said: “Upon return from Ouagadougou, Gbagbo tackles the military issues.” The paper reported that President Gbagbo said he will meet with both Forces Nouvelles (ex rebellion) and the National forces to draw up a timetable kick off the implementation of the Ouagadougou agreement, especially on the transfer of power to the civil servants in the Centre, North and West regions. In another headline story on the same issue, Le Temps, a daily close to the ruling party said that Gbagbo will meet with military heads on Monday; this meeting will include both Forces Nouvelles and the FANCI (National Army Forces). Two dailies close to the ruling party, Notre Voie and Le Quotidien reported that Gbagbo will be meeting with politicians and military forces to accelerate the peace process.

2. “Bedie approves the return of Ibrahim Coulibaly (IB) and Mathias Doue;” this is a headline in L’Inter, an independent daily. According to Bedie, IB and Doue played an important role earlier in the crisis in Cote d’Ivoire - IB, in the Forces Nouvelles, and Doue as Chief of Staff in the Ivorian National Army.  According to the paper, opposition leader Bedie made this appeal in Daoukro at a meeting with Ivorian Civil Society Convention (CSCI.) The report further said that the return of political leaders and parties will strengthen the peace process and guarantee a strong reconciliation.

3. Le Nouveau Reveil, a daily close to the opposition, said  that Ambassador Wanda Nesbitt, U.S. Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire,  met with opposition leader Bedie in Daoukro in the Eastern region of Cote d’Ivoire, yesterday.  According to the paper, Ambassador Nesbitt said she was impressed with the progress of the identification process.  The paper further reported that the Ambassador noted the technical challenges in the process and said that the U.S. government has great expectations from the process. On the UN sanctions, the paper told readers that the Ambassador said the organization of the elections in Cote d’Ivoire will contribute to the lifting the sanctions.

4. Soir Info, an independent daily, published an interview with Franck Guei, son of the late General Guei and also with special counselor to President Gbagbo. According to the paper, Franck Guei said that the postponement of the Gbagbo’s visit to Man in Western Cote d’Ivoire is not motivated by any opposition from late General’s family, but that this is simply due to the President’s busy schedule.

U.S. Embassy in the press

Le Temps, a daily close to the ruling party, reported on the U.S. Embassy’s outreach activities with journalists in Bouake and Korhogo during the week of 3/16-3/20.  The paper commented that the U.S. Embassy encourages journalists to be more independent and responsible in their reporting.

March 18, 2009

President Gbagbo’s postponed visit to the Western region of Cote d’Ivoire, and the question of the eligibility of Bedie and Ouattara as presidential candidates in Cote d’Ivoire were the lead stories in today’s Ivoirian papers. Other papers reported on the meeting between President Gbagbo, Prime Minister Soro and the facilitator of Cote d’Ivoire’s Peace Process, President Compaore.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily), carried a headline story stating the reasons for the “umpteenth” postponement of the President Gbagbo’s visit to Man.  The latest visit which was   scheduled for March 21-29, 2009 has again been postponed. According to the report, the lack of financial resources and the unavailability of the President are not the key reasons for the repetitive delay of this trip. The paper reported that there are some unresolved issues over the death of General Guei (General Guei is originally from Man.) One is that the General’s family has expressed the desire to have the General’s body moved to Man for burial. The paper further said that this unresolved issue is a cause of anger for the people of Man. Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition reported that the family of late General Guie will welcome President Gbagbo only they are told that they are allowed to dispose of the body of the former Head of State.

2. On the upcoming presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire Le Nouveau Reveil, a daily close to the opposition, reported that opposition leaders, Bedie and Ouattara, are eligible to run for the elections. The paper published the text of a presidential decree as evidence.  According to the report, Gbagbo signed the decree to modify some articles in the electoral code and those changes qualify Bedie and Ouattara to run for the office of president. However, Le Quotidien, a daily close to the ruling party, carried a headline story which said:  “Bedie’s age is a concern for his fellows.” The paper further said that although under the Marcoussis agreement he is eligible, there is concern about Bedie’s capability to rule the country at age 75.

3. Le Temps, a daily close to ruling party, reported that it knows the secret for the Ouagadougou meeting between the leaders of Cote d’Ivoire and Ouagadougou. According to the paper, the meeting provides an opportunity for Gbagbo and Compaore to evaluate actions undertaken towards the presidential elections. The report further said that both President Gbagbo and President Compaore are committed to ensuring open, transparent and fair elections in Cote d’Ivoire.

March 17, 2009

The meeting in Ouagadougou between President Gbagbo, Prime Minister Soro and the facilitator, President Compaore; the identification process; Ivorian First Lady’s agreement to be questioned about the disappearance of a journalist; and the re-opening of schools were the lead stories in today’s Ivoirian papers.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily), reported that the meeting held yesterday in Ouagadougou between Gbagbo, Soro and Compaore will reinvigorate the Abidjan-Ouagadougou diplomatic relations. L’Intelligent d’Abidjan, an independent daily, reporting on the Ouagadougou meeting said that date for the presidential elections will be announced by the end of March. The paper also reported that Prime Minister Soro (leader of the Forces Nouvelles) will facilitate the return of civil servants to the ex-rebel zones. The paper said civil servants are the administrative representatives of the Ivorian Executive. However, according to the report, the Prime Minister will maintain control of four of the ten Commanders called “Com’Zones” in Bouake, Man, Seguela and Korhogo. On the other hand, Nord-Sud (a daily close to the opposition) reported that Prime Minister Soro has vowed that none of the Com’Zones (Commanders) will block the implementation of the Ouagadougou agreement. The paper reported that Soro assured President Compaore that his men will cooperate fully.

2. On the population identification process, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily), noted that the lack of financial resources is delaying the completion of the process. According to the report, one of the many financial issues includes SAGEM Security workers’ request for payment in advance of the identification of Ivorians in the Diaspora.

3. Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition) reported in a headline story that Madam Gbagbo has agreed to be question about missing journalist, Guy Andre Kieffer. According to the paper the Ivorian First Lady has finally accepted to testify before the French Judge, Ramael. The paper reminded readers that Kieffer, a French-Canadian, was kidnapped in April 2004 while doing some investigative reporting on the coffee and cocoa industry in Cote d’Ivoire.  The paper also said that because Mrs. Gbagbo’s in-law was under suspicious of the disappearance of the journalist, Judge Ramael expressed the need to interview the Ivorian First Lady. Le Jour, (a daily close to the opposition) reported that Madam Gbagbo has only accepted to be interviewed in Abidjan, not in Paris. L’Inter, (an independent daily) reported that the First Lady had attempted to stop press articles about her as someone involved in the Kieffer case.

4. Most of the papers reported that all schools re-opened yesterday and students are happy to resume classes. The schools re-opened after several weeks of strike by secondary school teachers over salaries and conditions of employment. 

March 16, 2009

The meeting between President Gbagbo, Prime Minister Soro and the facilitator President Compaore on the Ouagadougou Peace Agreement (OPA) IV was the lead subject in today’s papers. Other reporting was on the teachers’ strike, which was suspended following President Gbagbo’s meeting with union leaders on Friday, March 13. One paper reported on what may disqualify two key political opposition leaders from running for president in Cote d’Ivoire.   

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily), reported on the meeting between President Gbagbo, President Compaore of Burkina Faso and Prime Minister Soro to discuss specific challenges facing the Ouagadougou Agreement, which was signed on March 4, 2007. Nord-Sud, a daily close to the opposition, also reporting on the same issue saying that Gbagbo and Soro met with President Compaore to discuss issues that prevent the Ouagadougou agreement from guaranteeing a sustainable peace process in Cote d’Ivoire.  L’Inter, an independent daily, on the other hand said the team is meeting to amend the Ouagadougou agreement. According to the report, these amendments will include security issues and the transfer of power from “Commanders” to authorities who are the representatives of the Ivorian Executive.

2. Many papers reported on the re-opening of secondary schools after several weeks of strike by secondary school teachers over salaries and conditions of employment. Notre Voie, a daily close to the ruling party told readers that the teachers were defeated. According to the report, the teachers’ demands were not met because of the weakening economic condition of the country. The report also said that when President Gabgbo met with the teachers’ union, he agreed to review their demands by  April 2009. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported that the teachers who were arrested and detained during strike were released over the weekend. 

3. On the issue of who will qualify to run for the office of president, Le Nouveau Reveil, (a daily close to the opposition) posed the question, “Are Bedie and ADO out?” According to the paper, Gbagbo will use the issues of citizenship and age to disqualify Mr. Ouattara on citizenship and Bedie for exceeding the age limit, which is 75.

March 12, 2009

The nationwide indefinite secondary school teachers’ strike again made headlines in today’s Ivorian papers. The newspapers also reported on new developments in the identification process. The state-owned daily Fraternite Matin today prominently carried a reaction from Charles Ble Goude after a U.N panel on sanctions demanded that his book not be published by this paper. 

1. “224 teachers kidnapped,” said a prominent story in Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party). Reporting on the ongoing teachers’ strike movement over pay, the paper said that yesterday, the police took control of schools in and outside Abidjan; arrested teachers and held them in custody at the police headquarters in Abidjan. The paper quoted Secretary General of SYNESCI – Syndicat national des enseignants du second degré de Cote d’Ivoire --, Mr. Soro Mamadou who said “a total of 224 teachers were arrested;” and added “We were not allowed to see them.”

2. Le Quotidien (a daily close to the ruling FPI party): A prominent story in this paper announced that “100 teachers were arrested yesterday by the police.” “Teachers whipped and incarcerated,” said a banner headline in Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition). In a commentary, the paper said that “after using manipulation and sanctions, the government has found a new method to nip the ongoing strike in the bud.” According to the paper, the government had already resorted to this strategy in the past to crack down striking workers.

3. A front-page report in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said that the National Union of Senior Health Practitioners of Cote d'Ivoire (Synacassci), which had been on strike since February, yesterday called off its movement. According to the paper, the decision was taken yesterday after a general assembly in Abidjan. The suspension came after Synacassci and government signed a protocol of agreement, said the report. The report however quoted the union as saying that they will go on strike again on April 1, 2009 if the government fails to meet their demands.

4. On political issues, Fraternite Matin said that 5.4 million out of 8.6 million potential voters have been counted so far, as Cote d’Ivoire is preparing for crucial presidential elections. This represents 62 percent of the electorate, reported the paper, which reminded readers that the voter registration exercise, which was initially planned to end on February 28, 2009, has been extended to March 15. In a separate report, the paper suggested that the population identification program is likely to run into difficulties in certain areas, like two villages in the south-western city of San Pedro, where the program could not take place.

5. L’inter (an independent daily) carried a story in which Venance Konan, a renowned journalist and writer castigated the Ivorian political groups on the interminable delay of the presidential elections. Speaking at a conference in Abidjan, Mr. Konan reportedly said “Cote d’Ivoire has been taken hostage by the political leaders.” Mr. Konan particularly blamed the opposition groups for the continuous delay of the polls.      

6. “They should tell me what I’m supposed to do and what I should not,” Fraternite Matin quoted Charles Ble Goude, the leader of the Alliance of the Young Patriot (a movement close to President Gbagbo) as saying. The youth leader was reacting after a U.N panel on sanctions demanded the publishers of Fraternite Matin not to publish a book written Mr. Ble Goude. The youth leader, who the report said, has announced the publication of his new book in April, denounced what he called “harassment” on the part of the United Nations. The United Nations in 2006 slammed sanctions on Mr. Ble Goude and two other Ivorian officials accused of blocking the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire.     

March 11, 2009

Reports in today’s Ivorian dailies said that President Laurent Gbagbo will meet with the teachers’ union on Friday to discuss the nationwide indefinite secondary school teachers’ strike. The firing of Ivorian State Prosecutor, Raymond Tchimou was also in the limelight. The disarmament process in Cote d’Ivoire; President Gbagbo’s visit to the western regions of Cote d’Ivoire; the spate of the HIV/AIDS amongst children; and the publication of Charles Ble Goude’s book were the other major items in today’s newspapers.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A prominent story in this paper said that President Laurent Gbagbo will meet on Friday with leaders of the teachers’ unions. The ongoing nationwide strike called by secondary school teachers to press for salary increase will be high on the agenda. The paper also published a full-page story explaining efforts by the government to meet the demands of workers for better salaries and better working conditions. According to the report, in 2008, the government expended about FCFA 800 billion (about $1.5 billion) for salaries to civil servants. The report noted that this figure does not include the salaries of the military. It further said that despite the lack of resources and the cost of the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire, the government continues to show concern about the welfare of its people.

2. In announcing Gbagbo’s decision to meet with teachers’ unions, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said “Gbagbo to stop the mess,” in a banner headline. Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) said that the striking teachers have ignored calls from government to end the strike. According to the paper, schools were closed yesterday throughout the country. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) predicted what it called “a social explosion”, as workers in other sectors are threatening to embark on strikes. A prominent story in Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said that the education in Cote d’Ivoire is “entangled in a rebellion.” In a commentary, the paper accused the Ivorian opposition groups for manipulating the teachers and added that “the opponents to the regime want to use the strike to bring down the current regime.” 

3. Rumors that the Public Prosecutor, Raymond Tchimou has been fired were also major news in many Ivorian dailies. “There has been an upheaval in the Public Prosecutor’s office, as Raymond Tchimou has taken the exit,” wrote L’inter (an independent daily). The paper also reported on reaction from the Public Prosecutor, who said, “I am not aware of that news. I am in my office, as I am talking to you.” The paper reminded readers that a few months ago, the Public Prosecutor was tangled  in a power struggle with the Ivorian Bar Association, which had called for his resignation. The Bar Association had accused him of going beyond his prerogatives.

4. On matters concerning the disarmament process in Cote d’Ivoire; Notre Voie said that Angola is to help Cote d’Ivoire with its disarmament program. According to the paper, the visiting Angolan Defense Minister, General Kundi Paihama announced this during a meeting on Tuesday with his Ivorian counterpart, Mr. Michel Amani N’Guessan. “Angola has good expertise to help Cote d’Ivoire with the demobilization and disarmament of ex-combatants,” the paper quoted General Kundi Paihama as saying.

5. President Laurent Gbagbo’s plan to travel to the volatile west region formerly under the control of the former rebels on March 21-24 continued to make headlines. Today, L’inter reported that with ten days more for this official tour, the Ivorian leader has sent emissaries to the family of Late General Robert Guei, the leader of the former military junta in Cote d’Ivoire. Previous reports said the visit is the latest in a series of planned visits by Gbagbo to the territory controlled by the former New Forces rebels, who staged a failed 2002 coup against him that effectively divided the country -- with rebels commanding the north and parts of the west. According to the paper, the visit was delayed because “the family of the late military leader was waiting for Gbagbo to explain the circumstances surrounding his death.”

6. On health issues, a report in Fraternite Matin said that the life of 50 percent of HIV-infected children, aged 0-2 years, is in danger. According to the paper, this was revealed during a conference organized by the Elisabeth Glazer Foundation in Abidjan. The paper quoted experts, who said that the mother-child transmission is taking an alarming proportion of HIV cases. 

7. On United Nation’s  matters,  Fraternite Matin said that the UN has asked the publishers of this paper not to publish “Crise Ivoirienne: Ma Part de Verite (Ivorian Crisis: My side of the story),” a book by Charles Ble Goude, leader of the Young Patriots (a movement close to President Gbagbo). According to the paper, this issue was a subject between the Managing Director of Fraternite Matin and a U.N. panel on sanctions. [NOTE: In 2006, the United Nations imposed sanctions on three political leaders – including Mr. Ble Goude -- accused of blocking the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire.]

March 10, 2009

The delay of the meeting of the Committee overseeing the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement was a major item in the dailies today and in the weekend editions.  Another major report said that the Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, is waging war against indiscipline within the government. The recent outbreak of fires in some government institutions; relations between Cote d’Ivoire and international financial institutions; initiatives to foster regional cooperation; the International Women's Day; and the call for an indefinite teacher strike were the other major news items. Football (soccer) was also reported on.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A front-page story in the weekend’s issue of this paper said that the 5^th meeting of the CPC – the Committee overseeing the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement – has been postponed “indefinitely.” The meeting was originally scheduled for March 11, 2009 in Yamoussoukro. According to the paper, the principal motive behind the delay was that “the Ivorian political stakeholders are not ready.” The paper reminded readers that the previous meeting of the CPC recommended that Ivorian political key players, including President Laurent Gbagbo, should engage in an internal dialogue to reach consensus on major issues. The paper further said that one of the major points in the agenda for the 5^th meeting of the CPC will be the question on the time table for the presidential elections.

2. A front-page story in today’s issue of L’inter (an independent daily) implied that the New Forces continue to “drag their feet,” on the efforts to implement the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. The paper said that the dissolution of the political, administrative and military bodies of the New Forces in the central, western and northern regions of Cote d’Ivoire is yet to be fully effective; this is holding back the implementation of the peace deal signed two years ago. The paper further said that President Gbagbo’s silence over this situation is raising eyebrows and is being perceived by observers as “a blessing” for the interminable delay of the implementation of the peace accord. 

3. Regarding the voter registration exercise ahead of the presidential elections, a front-page story in Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said that the Independent Electoral Commission intends to register Ivorians with dual nationality, living in the United States. According to the paper, this was announced in Washington DC on March 7, 2009 by a delegation of the Commission, which is currently in the United States.

4. On other major issues, a prominent story in Fraternite Matin said the Prime Minister suspended the salary of 11 ministers, who boycotted a meeting on the government’s environmental cleaning program. The report said that the measure was aimed at restoring discipline and order in the government. 

5. Following the outbreak of fire that destroyed some offices at the Ministry of Defense, newspapers expressed concerns about the continuous outbreaks of fire that have caused damages in many government institutions, including the National Assembly. A front-page report in Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) said that the fire had destroyed thousands of documents; some of them date back 40 years.

6. On economic issues, a prominent article in the weekend’s issue of Fraternite Matin said that the African Development Bank (ADB) donated 63.8 billion F CFA (about $123 million) to Cote d’Ivoire, after the government paid off its outstanding debt owed to the ADB.  According to the paper, the Bank’s officials said “The principal objective of this aid is to help Cote d’Ivoire revive its fragile economy by improving the living conditions of its population.”

7. On regional cooperation, Fraternite Matin reported in its edition today that the Foreign Ministers of Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso met on March 2-4, 2009 in Ouagadougou as part of the efforts to reinforce cooperation between the two countries. In a related development, another article in Fraternite Matin said that experts from West African countries are meeting in Abidjan to find ways to lift obstacles that threaten cooperation between member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The meeting, which opened yesterday, will seek among other things to recommend policies that would help foster development, peace and the protection of Human Rights in the sub-region to decision makers.

8. Still on regional cooperation, L’inter reported that a Summit of the Heads of State of the Council of the Entente, planned to be held in Yamoussoukro on March 10, has been postponed indefinitely. According to the paper, the Presidency said the postponement was due to the funeral of the President of Guinea Bissau, Joao Bernado Vieira, who was killed a week ago. [NOTE: Created on May 29, 1959, the Council of the Entente is made up of countries including Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Benin, Niger and Togo. The body’s primary objective is to foster regional integration.]

9. On observing International Women’s Day a front-page story in Fraternite Matin said that Prime Minister Guillaume Soro on Sunday called on Ivorian women to get fully involved in the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire. The Prime Minister made the call as the country marked International Women's Day, 2009. According to the paper, the Prime Minister said that the participation of women in the peace process could help guarantee “credible elections.”

10. “Teachers defy the government,” said a banner headline in Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party). The article said that despite calls from the government for teachers to end their indefinite strike, the strikers have maintained that the strike will continue.  According to the paper, in response to the government’s call, the Secretary General of SYNESCI (the teachers’ union), Soro Mamadou said “We are more determined than ever to continue the strike.” On March 2, 2009 Ivorian secondary school teachers went on a nationwide indefinite strike to press for salary increase.

11. Now on the African Nations Championships (CHAN), Notre Voie carried a front-page story saying that the cup “has flown to Kinshasa.” The paper reported that the Democratic Republic of Congo has won the maiden edition of the African Nations Championships (CHAN) after beating Ghana (2-0) in the finals on Sunday at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.  

March 6, 2009

A pro-opposition newspaper today said it has uncovered “an important cocoa, timber and diamond traffic between Cote d’Ivoire and Togo.” On matters concerning the political atmosphere in Cote d’Ivoire, many dailies today reported that an opposition leader was assaulted on Thursday in Abidjan. The hearing of the Cote d'Ivoire’s First Lady over a missing journalist; the controversy surrounding a Nigerian aircraft that landed a few days ago at the Abidjan International Airport without official authorization and clashes between students and security forces in Yamoussoukro in connection with a nationwide strike launched by teachers were the major items in the dailies. Two newspapers carried Secretary Clinton’s OP-ED on International Women's Day.

1. Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition): A two-page report in this paper said that behind the iron curtain, the Ivorian rebels are engaging in what the daily described as “an important traffic of cocoa, timber and diamond.” According to the in-depth report, “heavy quantities of these commodities are being loaded in regions under the control of the New Forces and sent to Togo via Burkina Faso.” The report, the paper said, was documented by Global Witness, a British organization. “The revenues of this traffic, not only provide huge profits to the neighboring countries, but also enable the rebellion to accumulate a war chest.” The report further said that the cocoa traffic alone provides about 12 billion FCFA ($23 million) to the rebellion. In a separate story, the paper described the return of internal revenue and customs services in the zones formerly under the control of the New Forces as “a big hoax;” and alleged that “the illicit cocoa traffic via Burkina Faso could be seen as a response to activities going on in the zones that fall under government control.” To conclude, the paper said: “After the armed conflict, here comes the economic war.” 

2. A prominent story in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said a former Ivorian minister, Mr. Gnamien Yao, escaped death yesterday as elements of the youth wing of the former ruling PDCI-RDA party tried to lynch him. The report also quoted a source, which said that PDCI-RDA’s youth leader, Kouadio Konan Bertin was the brain behind the assault. According to the report, Mr. Yao was summoned to appear before a disciplinary committee of the party of the Ivorian ex-leader Henri Konan Bedie. He was invited to answer charges by the PDCI-RDA’s leadership that he had defected the party and “publicly pledged allegiance to President Laurent Gbagbo.” In a statement published by the paper, the party “regretted the incident… and hoped that such an event will not occur again.”

3. Another front-page story in Fraternite Matin said that Cote d’Ivoire’s First Lady, Simone Gbagbo has shed more light on her recent decision to accommodate questioning about the missing Franco-Canadian journalist, Guy-Andre Kieffer. (NOTE: Guy-Andre Kieffer has been missing since April 2004 in Cote d’Ivoire. The 54-year-old journalist was specialized in raw materials and economic and financial affairs. He worked for the French economic daily La Tribune from 1984 to the beginning of 2002. Until he disappeared, he was working as a freelance journalist reporting for La Lettre du Continent and several Ivorian newspapers.) According to the report, First Lady, Mrs Simone Gbagbo, who is currently on a visit to Washington, DC told reporters “Neither my husband nor I have anything to do with this case.” Media reports recently said that the Minister of Planning and Development Paul-Antoine Bohoun Bouabre and the First Lady of Cote d’Ivoire confirmed to the French judiciary in writing on February 18 that they are ready to be interrogated in Cote d'Ivoire by the French judge, Patrick Ramael, who is in charge of the investigations into this affair.

4. In another development, Fraternite Matin said that President Gbagbo has ordered a Nigerian aircraft that landed a few days ago at the Abidjan International Airport without official authorization to take off. The report also said that members of the crew, who were incarcerated after the plane was grounded, were released. According to the paper, this was announced yesterday by the Director of the National Aviation Authority after a meeting between President Gbagbo and President Umar Yar’Adua of Nigeria’s envoy.

5. A report in L’inter (an independent daily) said that students at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Polytechnic yesterday clashed with security forces in Yamoussoukro. According to the report, the students had embarked on a strike since Tuesday to demand better conditions on the campus. Another report in L’inter said that private school teachers yesterday announced their intention to go on indefinite strike beginning March 10 to press for salary increase.  

MEDIA REACTION TO U.S. – EMBASSY ABIDJAN – AND OTHER WORLD ISSUES

1. Secretary Clinton’s OP-ED on International Women's Day was a subject of a front-page story in Notre Heure (a daily close to the opposition). “The plea of Hillary Clinton,” was the front-page headline in this paper that published portions of the OP-ED. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) also carried excerpts of Secretary Clinton’s OP-ED highlighting efforts being deployed the U.S Secretary of State to change the status of women around the world.

2. In observance of International Women's Day, PAS Abidjan organized in partnership with Radio Al Bayane (a Moslem radio station in Abidjan) a one-hour live radio discussion on the subject - “The Role of Women in Society” - on March 5, 2009. The call-in show featured Ms Silvia Eiriz,  Embassy Abidjan’s  Political and Economic Section head; Haja Cisse Makoni, a high school teacher, also a former International Visitor and  President of an NGO - Benovolat USA-Cote d’Ivoire. Imam Kone Ibrahim also participated in the discussion. Ms Eiriz used the occasion to talk on the issues of gender equality and the status of women in the United States.

March 5, 2009

Reports in today’s Ivorian newspapers said the power transfer between former New Forces’ military commanders and government-appointed Prefects has been postponed. Other reports, however said that the tax administration has resumed in the regions formerly held by the New Forces. Dailies again evaluated the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire; two years after President Laurent Gbagbo and New Forces’ leader Guillaume Soro signed the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. On matters concerning the media, news reports said that copies of the Le Nouveau Reveil were vandalized on Wednesday by unidentified people in reprisals of an article published by the daily yesterday. This year’s projection of petrol production in Cote d’Ivoire ; an indefinite strike called by secondary school’s teachers and the inability for Ivorian diplomats to speak foreign languages were the other major items in the press.

1. A prominent story in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said the power transfer between former New Forces’ military commanders and government-appointed Prefects [District Chief Executives] planned to be held yesterday was postponed. According to the paper this was announced by the Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, who said that the Interior Minister, Desire Tagro, in charge of the program asked for its delay. The paper further quoted sources as saying that the Interior Minister called for delay on the grounds that the Integrated Command Center – a joint government and New Forces security unit – was not yet deployed in the regions. The Integrated Command Center, the minister reportedly said, will be tasked to ensure security. But in a separate story, the paper quoted one of the New Forces’ military commanders arguing that the New Forces are capable to provide security for the prefects; adding “We do not understand the relevance of this demand as a pre-condition for the power transfer.” 

2. In a related development, Fraternite Matin quoted the UN envoy in Cote d’Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, as saying that “It’s better to proceed with the power transfer as soon as possible to pave the way for the elections.” According to the report, the UN envoy was speaking yesterday after a meeting with President Laurent Gbagbo yesterday in Abidjan.

3. The delay of power transfer between former New Forces’ military commanders and government-appointed Prefects has generated mixed reactions in pro and anti-government newspapers. “The Con-zones [New Forces’ military commanders] are angry,” said a prominent in Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition); “Tagro refuses to endorse Soro’s farce,” wrote Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party); “Tagro halts the power transfer,” commented Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) which asserted that the Ivorian Interior Minister has “a hidden agenda.” A prominent story in Le Quotidien (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) called this new development a “war” between the Interior Minister and the Prime Minister. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) predicted a confrontation between President Gbagbo and his Prime Minister, as the two leaders “differ” over the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement.

4. Meanwhile, an article in Fraternite Matin said that Ivorian principal opposition parties have expressed “satisfaction” about the implementation of the peace deal brokered two years ago. “We need to encourage the protagonists,” the paper quoted a leading member of the former ruling PDCI-RDA party as saying. The RDR party led by Ivorian opposition figure Alassane Dramane Ouattara reportedly noted that “the Ouagadougou Political Agreement has produced positive results.” Speaking also on the outcomes of the peace deal, the Ivorian Interior Minister said “the agreement has paved the way for peace in Cote d’Ivoire and a peaceful coexistence between this country and Burkina Faso.”

5. According to Fraternite Matin, Prime Minister Guillaume Soro on Wednesday opened a vehicle registration office in Bouake. Many foreign diplomats including US Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire, Wanda L. Nesbitt, attended the ceremony. The report further said this ceremony marked the return of internal revenue and customs services in the zones formerly under the control of the New Forces; adding it was one of the important recommendations of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement.

6. “Some youths vandalized copies of yesterday’s issue of Le Nouveau Reveil,” said a front-page story in this paper close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party. According to Denis Kah Zion, publisher of the daily newspaper, these attacks came after his paper carried a story on a business transaction that has caused a four billion FCFA (about $7.6 million) lost to the state of Cote d’Ivoire.  The article also said that some Ivorian business tycoons, believed to be close to President Gbagbo, were involved in this deal. Kah Zion said he was subject to “pressure and death threat” from unidentified people asking him to kill the story. The news publisher also said he feared for the security of his workers. Meanwhile, another story in this paper said that youths believed to be close to the Rally for the Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace, an opposition coalition, threatened to retaliate by destroying “Blue Newspapers,” known to be close to the ruling FPI party.

7. A prominent story in Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said that the indefinite strike called by teachers has taken a dramatic turn, as government offices and houses belonging to school’s heads were destroyed yesterday in Abidjan and other parts of the country. In a related development, the paper said that the Federation of Students in Cote d’Ivoire (FESCI) – a powerful students association – vowed to fight against the striking teachers. According to the report, FESCI said this after the strikers threatened to burn students’ examination copies.

8. On business issues, a report in Fraternite Matin said that petrol production in Cote d’Ivoire this year will shoot up from 46,000 to 57, 000 barrels a day. The announcement was made by the Ivorian Minister of Mining and Energy who was speaking yesterday in Abidjan.

9. A story in Nord-Sud Quotidien said that the inability for Ivorian diplomats to speak foreign languages has become a handicap for them in the discharge of their duties. The report said some Ivorian diplomats at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently found it very difficult to communicate with a visiting delegation of businessmen because they were unable to speak English. Some of the diplomats, the paper talked to, argued that French is the official language of Cote d’Ivoire; adding should the need arise; they would call a translator for assistance.  

March 4, 2009

Ivorian newspapers today continued to assess the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire; two years after President Laurent Gbagbo and New Forces’ leader Guillaume Soro signed the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. The newspapers also speculated on who should be the next Ivorian president. Other major reports focused on an alleged fraud that had cost the state $7.6 million; the trial in the case of a ghost workers scandal at the Presidency and the state of the media.

1. “We need a new government,” Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) quoted the spokesperson of the New Forces, Alain Lobognon, as saying two years after the former Ivorian rebel group and the presidential camp signed the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. Lobognon, who was speaking to the paper, said: “Prime Minister Guillaume Soro needs a good team to serenely prepare the elections.” On the achievement of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, the New Forces’ spokesperson said: “Today two military commanders [government forces and New Forces Armed Forces] are working together to come out with the structure of a new Republican army; the population identification process is underway and more than 5.5 million potential voters have been counted.”

2. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI) said the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, which was brokered two years ago by President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso, was “the best peace deal” so far; and has helped resolved many problems. The paper saluted “the courage of Soro [the New Forces’ leader-turned Prime Minister].” It however noted that the redeployment of government administration throughout the country has been delayed; and accused the former rebels for “refusing to allow government’s customs officials to collect revenues and taxes in the zones formerly under the control of the New Forces.”

3. While preparations are underway for the coming presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire, a prominent story in Linter (an independently daily) suggested that French President Nicolas Sarkozy would prefer another candidate, other than President Gbagbo, to be elected as the next president of this West African country. The paper published excerpts culled from March 1-7’s issue of Jeune Afrique – a French newspaper – saying “Like Chirac, Sarkozy is aware that the risk for Cote d’Ivoire to slide into another crisis is high if Gbagbo or Ouattara wins the elections; and there could be no crisis if Bedie [the former Ivorian president] wins the polls.”

4. In a related development, L’inter quoted Jean-Louis Billon, President of Cote d’Ivoire Chamber of Commerce and Industry as saying: “I am not candidate for the presidential elections.” According to the paper, Billon, who was quoted in the same issue of Jeune Afrique, was reacting to recent media reports that he will contest the coming elections. Meanwhile, Soir Info (an independently daily) said that a US-based Ivorian yesterday announced that he will run for presidency. According to the paper, Dr Diomande Mamadou, leader of the Pan-African Democratic Rally, said this during a press conference in Abidjan. 

5. Still on the coming presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire, Fraternite Matin quoted the Head of the National Democratic Institute in Cote d’Ivoire, Charles Yaovi Djrekpo, who blamed conflicts in Africa on electoral frauds. He said this when he addressed a conference yesterday in Abidjan on the impacts of frauds and irregularities on the population identification process in Cote d’Ivoire. The conference was organized by Groupement des Acteurs Ivoiriens des Droits Humains – an Ivorian Human rights movement; and was attended by diplomats from the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan as well as representatives of the European Union and the Ivorian Ministry of Justice and Human Rights.

6. In a prominent story, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) revealed that a business transaction in the mobile phone sector has caused a four billion FCFA (about $7.6 million) lost to the state of Cote d’Ivoire. According to the article, some Ivorian business tycoons, believed to be close to President Gbagbo, were involved in this deal. In a separate article, the paper said that for the past few days the publisher of Le Nouveau Reveil was subject to “pressure and death threat” from unidentified people asking him to kill the story.  

7.  A front-page story in Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said that a member of the Presidential Security Guard has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. According to the report, a court in Abidjan on Tuesday found him guilty for having masterminded a ghost workers business at the Presidential Palace.

8. On matters concerning the media, Fraternite Matin carried a report saying that the Ivorian state-run television and radio stations (RTI) will soon resume broadcasting in Bouake – the former New Forces’ stronghold. The announcement was made yesterday by an official from the broadcasting corporation after a meeting with New Forces’ leaders in Bouake. The New Forces have taken control of the television and radio stations in this region since the beginning of the war in September 2002.  
 
MEDIA REACTION TO U.S. – EMBASSY ABIDJAN – AND OTHER WORLD ISSUES

A report in Le Nouveau Reveil said directors of Information Resources Centers received on Tuesday training on Web 2.0. This program is also known as social media that are primarily Internet and mobile-based tools that allow people to easily share and discuss information. The training was organized by the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan; and was led by Mrs Myra Brown Regional Director of IRC. 

March 3, 2009

The assassination on Monday of President Joao Bernado Vieira of Guinea Bissau made headlines in today’s Ivorian press. Some newspapers also assessed the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire and made projections on the date of the long-delayed presidential elections. Other reports were on the indefinite strike called by teachers to press for better working conditions as well as on a seminar about a USAID-sponsored agribusiness and trade promotion project.

1. In the wake of the assassination of President Joao Bernado Vieira of Guinea Bissau, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) said that President Laurent Gbagbo has lost what it called another “important ally.” According to the paper, Gbagbo and Vieira were “very good friends,” and “in 2002 when Vieira was facing problems, the regime in Cote d’Ivoire went to its rescue by providing it with billions of FCFA to enable the President of Guinea Bissau to pay workers.” The paper also asserted that the disappearance of Guy-Andre Kieffer, a Franco-Canadian journalist who was then investigating capital flight from Cote d’Ivoire to other countries in the West African region, could be linked to this matter. The paper further quoted reliable sources alleging that “the ruling FPI party has deposited billions of FCFA in bank accounts in Guinea Bissau.” The paper wondered, “With the change of regime in this country, what will be the fate of the FPI’s war chest.”  It is worth expressing this concern, the paper pointed out, because “After the death of Lansana Conte of Guinea Conakry, the military junta that took over refused to return MIG-24s that Gbagbo had parked in that country.”

2. A prominent story in L’inter (a privately-owned daily) said March 7 will mark year two after the Ivorian protagonists signed the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. Assessing the implementation of the agreement, the paper said the protagonists did not live up to their promises. The paper listed some achievements in the peace process and added that financial problems were the major impediments for the implementation of the accord.

3. A prominent story in Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) on the same issue suggested that the Ouagadougou Political Agreement turns out to be a bitter pill for Gbagbo. The paper insinuated that the Ivorian leader has thwarted this agreement that was the best remedy to resolve the Ivorian crisis.

4. On the date of the coming presidential elections, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) said that barring the unexpected, the first round of the presidential elections would be held on the last Sunday of October 2009. According to the paper, the electoral commissioner is yet to announce this final date for two reasons. The first one, the paper suggested, was the fact that the reestablishment of the birth and death registries is not yet completed. The paper further cited problems being encountered during the voter registration exercise as the second reason.

5. On other issues, Soir Info (an independent daily) carried a front-page story on the ongoing teachers’ strike.  The paper informed readers that many schools throughout the country were closed on Monday as a result of this movement. To protest the suspension of their salaries, secondary school teachers paralyzed activities in the schools, reported Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily). Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI) carried an in-depth report highlighting problems facing education in Cote d’Ivoire. The report said that education is not going well because there is too little infrastructure, the classrooms are overcrowded and the level of teachers is very low. According to the paper, the government’s ambitious free education program failed because of the war.   

6. Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) carried a story on the ongoing debate on whether to dissolve FESCI – Student Federation of Cote d’Ivoire – or not. According to the paper, the student movement, which was created in the 1990s to advocate the improvement of students’ living conditions, has quickly become what the paper termed “a monster.” The paper went on to wonder whether the ruling FPI party would able to dissolve this movement that has become its “secular arm.” 

7. L’inter reported on a seminar on a USAID-sponsored agribusiness and trade promotion project underway in Abidjan. The seminar brought together businessmen dealing in livestock. According to the report, this seminar seeks, among other things, to enable businessmen from the West African countries to increase the volume of their agricultural products.  

March 2, 2009

The decision by the Independent Electoral Commission to extend the voter registration exercise in some areas was a subject of front-page items in today’s Ivorian newspapers. Reports said that the Ivorian authorities have set up a committee tasked to reform the cocoa and coffee industry in Cote d’Ivoire; and that President Laurent Gbagbo may crack down on members of the opposition in connection with his war against corruption. The question of eligibility of a potential candidate for the coming presidential elections, security concerns in Cote d’Ivoire and the spate of racketeering were the other major news in the dailies.

1. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party):  A prominent story in this paper announced that the population identification program has been extended for another 15 days. The program was originally planned to end on February 28, 2009. The paper quoted a public statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the Electoral Commission and the Prime Minister as saying that the process will continue until March 15, 2009 in some areas. Reporting on the same issue, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) quoted sources close to the electoral commission as saying that 2,100 voter registration centers will be open during this extension. In its weekend issue, Fraternite Matin informed readers that the electoral body has dispatched 65 teams abroad to enroll about 68,000 potential voters in preparation for the coming elections in Cote d’Ivoire.    

2. In a related development, L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) carried an exclusive story saying that Jean-Louis Billon, President of the Cote d’Ivoire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is not “illegible” to run for the presidency in Cote d’Ivoire. Last week, media reports had it that the Ivorian business tycoon could enter the coming elections. But the paper said that “despite his numerous chances, Billon’s intention to vie for the post could be thwarted because of the provisions of Article 35 of the Ivorian Constitution.” According to the paper, “Billon’s mother holds Ivorian nationality but she is not an Ivorian by birth,” a situation, which, according to the paper, “contradicts” Article 35 of the country’s Constitution. However, the paper pointed out that the President of the Cote d’Ivoire Chamber of Commerce and Industry constitutes “a danger” for the country’s principal political figures including President Gbagbo. “A son of an Ivorian wealthy businessman close to the late Felix Houphouet Boigny, Billon is well known for his probity, accountability and courage,” the paper said. 

3. A front-page story in Fraternite Matin said that the Ivorian authorities have set up a committee to reform the cocoa and coffee industry in Cote d’Ivoire. According to the paper, the decree establishing this committee was signed on February 27, 2009 by President Gbagbo. The decree published by the paper states that “the committee, which is under the authority of the President of the Republic, is tasked with proposing to the government new mechanisms for reform in accordance with the plan for development of the cocoa and coffee industry.”

4. On matters concerning President Gbagbo’s anti-corruption campaign, L’inter (an independent daily) hinted that the Ivoirian leader is now planning to hold members of the opposition groups, ministers and directors of state companies “accountable” for their management of state affairs. But the report said that these officials are also preparing to fire back in case any accusations of fraud or mismanagement were leveled against them.

5. A front-page story in Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) said travelers continue to be subject to racketeering by the New Forces Armed Forces. The report further said that travelers – most of them businessmen – in the zones formerly under the control of the New Forces pay a lot of money when they arrive at checkpoints erected by the former rebels.

6. In a prominent story, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) has described government security forces including the police, army and gendarmerie as an embodiment of “nepotism and tribalism.” In a four-page in-depth report, the paper cataloged the deeds and misdeeds of security forces under President Gbagbo’s regime, accusing them of “stealing, killing and racketeering.” To illustrate the report, the paper’s political cartoonist allegedly caricatured a security officer who is lending his arm to an armed robber in exchange of 500,000 (about $970.8).

7. “My country will never serve as a launching pad to destabilize Cote d’Ivoire,” Soir Info (an independent daily) quoted the leader of the military junta in Guinea (Conakry), Moussa Dadis Camara, as saying. According to the report, the Guinean military leader was speaking on February 28, 2009 when an Ivorian delegation led by the Foreign Affairs Minister called on him in Conakry.