March 31, 2008

Today’s reports in Ivorian newspapers are dominated by a political rally held by the ex-Ivorian President and leader of the former ruling PDCI-RDA party, Henri Konan Bedie, in Abidjan over weekend and the visit of the French former Culture Minister, Jack Lang to Cote d’Ivoire.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): "Peace process, Ouagadougou Political Agreement: Bedie criticizes Gbagbo and Soro," said a front-page story carried by the paper. According to the daily, Bedie, who was speaking over the week at a rally in Abidjan, denounced what he called President Laurent Gbagbo and the Prime Minister Soro Guillaume’s "ambiguous interests" that are holding back the Ivorian peace process. "The people have to press Gbagbo for elections… He cannot elude the constitutional obligation to consult the people, who he [Gbagbo] said voted him into power," the paper quoted the Ivorian former President as saying.

2. Commenting on President Gbagbo and his First Lady’s recent tours of cities inside Cote d’Ivoire, Bedie called them "partisan propaganda," which he said, are organized with "the state’s assets," and during which "he [Gbagbo] made promises in order to get favors from people who do not believe in him anymore," reported Fraternite Matin. According to the paper, Bedie, who was addressing "thousands of supporters," exhorted them "to rally" behind him in order "to thwart any plan from people who think that they can suppress people’s freedoms and take the whole country hostage."

3. While Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA) called Saturday’s political gathering organized by the former Ivorian President "a mammoth rally," Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) suggested that the meeting was "a fiasco." Le Temps further allegedly reported that during the gathering, Bedie called for "uprising."

4. L’inter (a privately-owned daily): "Bedie attacks Gbagbo and Soro," said a prominent headline on the front page of the paper. Regarding the forthcoming presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire, the paper went on to quote Bedie as saying, "We will never accept any rigging or any electoral hold-up." According to the paper, Bedie called on the international community "to help Ivorians liberate the country from a regime whose term in office has been extended without the people’s consent."

5. In the wake of the French former Culture Minister, Jack Lang’s visit to Cote d’Ivoire, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) suggested that the French Socialist party has now come back to Cote d’Ivoire to "apologize" to Gbagbo. Commenting recent relationship between the French Socialist party and the Ivoirian President, the paper reported that "Jack Lang has recognized that they [the French Socialist party] were victims of manipulations." "Gbagbo was not treated as a comrade of the socialist movement due to misunderstanding, incomprehension, and ignorance," the French former Culture Minister was quoted as saying.

6. "Jack Lang exhorts the French nationals to return to Cote d’Ivoire," wrote Fraternite Matin. "Come to Cote d’Ivoire, come and invest. It’s a hospitable country," the paper quoted the French former Culture Minister as saying.

7. Reporting also on the French former Culture Minister, Jack Lang’s visit to Cote d’Ivoire, Soir Info (a privately-owned daily) said that France is to help Cote d’Ivoire resolve the political crisis in this West African country. Speaking at a press conference after a meeting with President Gbagbo, Jack Lang was quoted as saying: "We have talked about the organization of the coming polls. I think that all Ivorian stakeholders, irrespective of their political obedience, want the people of Cote d’Ivoire to choose their leader through election."

March 28, 2008

The Ivorian dailies continue to comment on a recent demand made by CNRD -- a coalition of parties and movements supportive of President Gbagbo – for the resignation of Guillaume Soro as leader of the New Forces. Papers also reported on decisions taken during the Council of Ministers held yesterday in Abidjan. News reports also said that the government in Cote d’Ivoire is seeking funding to finance the peace process.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A prominent story on the front-page of the paper said that "President Laurent Gbagbo has reaffirmed his support for Soro." According to the paper, the Ivorian leader "congratulated and encouraged" Prime Minister Guillaume Soro yesterday during the Council of Ministers meeting in Abidjan. The newspaper went on to comment that amidst the differences that are currently opposing the New Forces and the CNRD, the Ivorian leader has been "a diplomat," as he is trying "not to comment on this issue." However, the paper noted that "Gbagbo’s silence over this issue is making it difficult to know his position on a demand from the CNRD calling on Soro to resign from his position as the leader of the New Forces." The paper also published an excerpt of a statement issued after the Council of Ministers, where "he [Gbagbo] has reminded the ministers of their duty to preserve secrecy in order to strengthen the spirit of cohesion amongst members of the government."

2. L’inter (a privately-owned daily): Commenting on CNRD’s demand, the paper said that Gbagbo’s entourage is "divided over the issue." According to the paper, the Ivorian leader and parties that support him are "not speaking with one voice" over the application of the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. The paper went on to suggest that Gbagbo’s partisans are blaming the head of the transitional government who is also the leader of the New Forces for dragging his feet, as many programs including the regroupement of the New Forces’ ex-combatants have been delayed.

3. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (a privately-owned daily): A prominent story on the front-page of the newspaper suggested that some New Forces’ warlords "support the CNRD’s demand calling for Soro’s resignation as the leader of the former rebel movement." The paper quoted unnamed sources as saying that "during secret meetings, the New Forces’ military top brass decided to convince Soro to choose either his post of Prime Minister or that of the leader of the New Forces."

4. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party): In a front-page story, the paper told readers about the Ivorian Prime Minister’s "difficulties" in getting funds to finance Cote d’Ivoire’s peace process. According to the paper, SAGEM, a French group tasked with conducting the identification process and producing the voter registration list ahead of the upcoming presidential polls in Cote d’Ivoire, is demanding about 161 million dollars to carry out the program. The announcement was made yesterday by the spokesperson of the Prime Minister, Meite Sindou, reported the paper. Meanwhile, indicated the paper, international donors, who should help the Ivorian government finance the scheme, have posed some conditions. "Donors are still waiting to see the disarmament and identification programs reach an irreversible stage before the disbursement of funds," Meite Sindou reportedly said.

5. In a related development, Fraternite Matin reported that the Ivorian government and SAGEM will sign an agreement next week to confirm the 161 million dollars contract and the identification program will kick off as soon as the deal is signed.

6. In a separate story, Fraternite Matin reported that the Ivorian government has reviewed Cote d’Ivoire’s 2008 budget. According to a statement issued after the Council of Ministers' meeting yesterday, the budget has been increased by about 183 million dollars in order to meet expenses incurred due to the financing of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement and the service of internal debt, reported the paper.

7. Finally, in a front page item, Notre Voie announced that the French public broadcaster Radio France International (RFI) has appointed its journalist, Norbert Navarro, as the new correspondent in Abidjan. [On January 31, 2008, Cote d’Ivoire’s National Council for Audiovisual Communication (CNCA) – a state media regulator – banned Radio France International (RFI) from local airwaves in Abidjan. CNCA said the decision was taken as a result of RFI’s failure to assign a new correspondent to Cote d’Ivoire. (Note: RFI's previous Cote d'Ivoire correspondent was shot dead at close range by an on-duty officer outside a police station in central Abidjan while reporting on arrests of political opposition supporters in October, 2003. The officer was found guilty and is now in prison.)

March 27, 2008

A daily close to the ruling FPI party today briefly reported on the just-ended visit of an American Congressional Delegation to Cote d’Ivoire. Reports also said that the FPI party and the New Forces are engaged in a war of words following a demand by the CNRD -- a coalition of parties and movements supportive of President Gbagbo – for the resignation of Guillaume Soro as leader of the New Forces. The controversy over the date of the Ivorian presidential elections was also a subject of prominent news stories in the today's Ivorian papers.

1. With a picture of an American Congressional Delegation meeting with the Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported that the discussions focused on "the peace process underway [in this West African country] as part of the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement." The paper quoted US Ambassador Wanda L. Nesbitt, who accompanied the delegation to the meeting, as saying: "The delegation is in the country to see the situation on the ground and, as friends of Cote d’Ivoire, to see how they can support the peace process."

2. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): In a front-page item, the paper quoted the spokesperson of the New Forces as saying that "Soro will remain the leader of the New Forces." The resignation of the Prime Minister from his position as the leader of the New Forces "is not the order of the day. Mr. Guillaume Soro will remain leader of the New Forces until the end of the peace process, and the New Forces will remain New Forces until the end of the said process," Konate was reported as saying.

3. According to Fraternite Matin, Sidiki Konate reacted "vehemently" to the CNRD’s wish for the Prime Minister "to resign from his position as Secretary General of the New Forces." The position of the Prime Minister as leader of the New Forces "does not suffer any incongruity … because [Guillaume Soro] signed the Ouagadougou Political Agreement as the Secretary General of the New Forces and he is holding the position of Prime Minister as the leader of the New Forces." The paper further quoted Konate as calling CNRD’s demand "a political diversion."

4. A banner headline that ran across Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) said that the demand by the CNRD calling for Soro’s resignation from his position as leader of the New Forces has triggered "tension" between Gbagbo’s camp and Soro’s followers. The paper went on to quote the spokesperson of the New Forces as saying that CNRD’s motivation was "politically calculated." It then ran a commentary entitled: "Old devils are back;" where it explained that "this scenario is not new, because it is the same tactics that the ruling party used to kick Soro’s predecessors out of the Primature [the office of the Prime Minister]." Meanwhile, the paper noted that "Soro is controlling a part of the Ivorian territory, and he has an army." Against this background, it wondered whether "these political ruses can work this time around."

5. Regarding the controversy over the date of the Ivorian upcoming elections, Fraternite Matin published a long interview with Djibril Bassole, the Burkinabe Foreign Affairs Minister and negotiator in the Ivorian peace process. The paper quoted Bassole as saying that "the elections will take place this year." Bassole reported the paper also called on the Ivorian political stakeholders to step up efforts in order to attain this objective.

6. L’inter (a privately-owned daily) carried the same interview saying that Djibril Bassole has clarified the situation. The paper quoted the Burkinabe diplomat as saying that "disarmament will be completed before the elections and that SAGEM [a French group in charge of the identification process for Cote d'Ivoire] and the National Statistics Institute (INS) will work together to ensure that voter’s registration and the identification process are acceptable to all parties."

7. Meanwhile, an Ivorian Catholic Cleric called upon the political leaders in Cote d’Ivoire to stop using "the media to monger war," reported Fraternite Matin. According to the paper, Archbishop Marie-Daniel Dadiet, who was speaking during Easter festivities, exhorted potential candidates in the upcoming presidential elections "to accept the verdict and prove that they support democracy."

March 26, 2008

The visit of an American Congressional Delegation to Cote d’Ivoire; the uprising of soldiers in Guiglo and Duekoue; the meeting of the National Congress of resistance and democracy (CNRD), and the upcoming presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire are today’s front-page stories in today’s Ivorian dailies.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported that President Laurent Gbagbo met an American Congressional Delegation March 25 at his residence. According to the paper, discussions between the Ivorian leader and the four-member delegation focused on the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire. The American Congressmen and this country [Cote d’Ivoire] are bound by "a good relation," the paper quoted US Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire Wanda L. Nesbitt as saying.

2. On a different topic, Fraternite Matin reported that the CNRD -- a coalition of parties and movements supportive of President Gbagbo -- meeting yesterday, called for elections to be held this year. The CNRD, reported the paper, rejected the Prime Minister’s position that the cantonment of ex-rebels was delayed due to technical and financial problems. According to the paper, the CNRD also demanded the Prime Minister to resign from his position as Secretary General of the New Forces and stop supporting positions of the former rebel movement that are harmful to the economy of the country.

3. Le Temps (a daily pro-FPI) ran a prominent headline on the front page saying that "the assassination of a soldier in Duekoue and a civilian in Guiglo has sparked anger among the population." In a bid to bring down "tension" in Duekoue and Guiglo, the Ivorian Army chief of staff, Major General Philippe Mangou, visited the region yesterday.

4. The paper also reported that the CNRD is putting "pressure on Soro to speed up the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire." The CNRD also used their meeting yesterday to call for "an immediate cantonment of ex-combatants," and the reestablishment of public services throughout the country.

5. A prominent story on the front page of Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) said that the military governor of Duekoue, Colonel-Major Guié Globo, is seeking refuge in Abidjan following the military uprising in this region.

6. Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party): A prominent headline on the front page of the paper said: "The peace process has reached a crucial stage as three staunch supporters of the ruling FPI party are trying to bring down Soro." According to the paper, the First Lady Simone Gbagbo, the president of the National Assembly, Mr. Mamadou Koulibaly, and the president of FPI, Mr. Affi Nguessan, have been tasked to lead a campaign designed to "tarnish the reputation" of the Ivorian Prime Minister. The paper also reported that General Mangou met the soldier mutineers yesterday in Guiglo. After their exchange, the town regained its calm.

7. A front-page item in L’inter (an independent daily) said that President Gbagbo has "a secret date" for the upcoming presidential elections. According to the paper, the long-deferred presidential elections will not take place in June as in the original plan. The paper alleged that Gbagbo has his own "agenda" on the date of the polls. Citing sources close to Gbagbo’s entourage, the paper said that "Gbagbo prefers the elections to be held on October 26 of this year."

March 25, 2008

Reports in today’s Ivorian press said that at least 10 people were injured when soldiers took to the streets of Duekoue in western Cote d’Ivoire on Monday after robbers killed one of their comrades. The general political atmosphere and the upcoming presidential elections in this West African country are the other top issues in the dailies.

1. Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party): A prominent headline on the front page of the paper said: "The army ran berserk in Duekoue and Guiglo yesterday." The paper also reported that a "score of people were seriously injured." Citing unnamed sources, the paper reported that the movement occurred following the killing of a soldier by "armed people in military uniform."

2. "Following the killing of one of their comrades by robbers, soldiers took to the streets in Duekoue and demanded the suspension of the military governor," said a report in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily). According to the paper, the town of Duekoue woke up yesterday amidst shootings into the air after soldiers discovered that thieves had killed a soldier in his home overnight. "Angry soldiers moved around on pickup trucks, motorbikes and foot, firing their weapons." The paper quoted one of the disgruntled soldiers as saying: "There is no more security in this town [Duekoue] since we have been cantoned. Our comrade Akpa Akpess has just been gruesomely killed last night in his home. He was ill and was granted sick leave. This is the second time soldiers turned victims of banditry. A few days ago, another comrade was killed."

3. Speaking on the situation prevailing in Duekoue after the regroupement of ex-combatants, the military governor of the town, Colonel Guie Globo, who was quoted by Fraternite Matin, said: "I’m a soldier and I’m just applying instructions from the military hierarchy. Our town has no special status. We are also involved in the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. That is the reason why we regrouped our soldiers as was done elsewhere in the country."

4. In a related development, L’intelligent d’Abidjan (a privately-owned daily) quoted the leader of the Forces of Resistance in Grand West (FRGO) – a militia group operating in western Cote d’Ivoire – as saying that "My followers are a time bomb." According to the paper, FRGO’s leader Maho Gloflehi is unhappy with the way his militiamen are being treated as part of the demobilization and reinsertion program for ex-combatants. Maho Gloflehi was reportedly claiming that "the government has not fully met its promises to pay allowances to the militiamen as an incentive to encourage them to hand over their guns and to accept their reinsertion."

5. In a different story, L’intelligent d’Abidjan hinted that the UN is to come out with "new measures" aimed at ensuring the security of three Ivorian political figures including Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, former President Henri Konan Bedie and leader of the opposition RDR party Alassane Dramane Ouattara. According to the paper, the decision was taken after the UN announced it was downgrading the threat rating to its staff working in Cote d’Ivoire due to progress in the country’s peace process.

6. Regarding the ongoing political process in Cote d’Ivoire, Fraternite Matin quoted President Laurent Gbagbo as saying: "Let’s go to elections to help Cote d’Ivoire be resurrected." Gbagbo was speaking over the weekend during a rally organized in the central region of Cote d’Ivoire in celebration of Easter. Gbagbo reportedly told traditional chiefs: "Don’t be afraid anymore. The war is over. Today, I am negotiating with people to encourage them to hold the elections quickly."

7. While Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported that Gbagbo’s visit to the central region had triggered "a general mobilization," Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) believed that "Gbagbo was campaigning ahead of the upcoming presidential elections."

March 19, 2008

Ivorian newspapers today reported that the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) could envisage delaying the long-deferred presidential elections past June. President Laurent Gbagbo’s state visit to South Africa is also a subject of front page stories in many dailies. A recent proposal from the RDR party to form an alliance with the New Forces and new developments in an alleged coup d’etat designed to topple the regime in Abidjan are the other major items in today’s newspapers.

1. L’inter (a privately-owned daily): "After meeting with President Blaise Compaore, Mambe envisages deferring the elections," said a prominent headline on the front page of the paper. "If we cannot hold elections in June…, if conditions are not met at the appropriate time, we’ll propose a new date to the government; and this date would be final once we agree on it," the paper quoted the Chairman of the CEI, Robert Beugre Mambe, as saying. Mambe was speaking yesterday in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso after holding talks with the Burkinabe President Blaise Compaore, who is also the facilitator in the Ivorian peace process. Talking about "the pre-conditions" for the presidential elections to take place in Cote d’Ivoire, Mambe said: "Conditions for SAGEM [a French group tasked to conduct the identification of the population] and the National Institute for Statistics to begin working together must to be met." Other pre-conditions, Mambe further explained, included thorny issues such as "preparing fresh voter rolls."

2. While the Ivorian electoral commissioner is considering the delay of the long-deferred polls, Le Temps accused the leader of the opposition RDR party of "maneuvering to hold back the elections." According to the paper (close to the ruling FPI party), cadres of Alassane Dramane Ouattara’s party have been tasked to convince international institutions "to obtain the delay of the polls." The principal reason behind the move, alleged the paper, was to press for "a second round of audiences foraines (the nationwide program to provide identity documents to Ivorians) to be carried out."

3. In a related-development, Notre Voie (another pro-FPI daily) carried a prominent headline reading: "The RDR is searching for its three million voters." The paper went on to say that in a bid to gather its "fictitious" three million voters, the RDR is demanding the continuation of the audiences foraines. The paper also disclosed that barring the unexpected, the Ivorian Minister of Family Affairs would be meeting today with representatives of UNICEF to discuss issues on "How to normalize the situation of children whose age ranges from 3 to 18 and who do not have a birth certificate."

4. To close the debate on the audiences foraines, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling FPI party) reported that the program "won’t be extended." According to the paper, the announcement was made yesterday by Prime Minister Guillaume Soro during a meeting with the International Consultative Committee on the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. "Regarding the will of certain political players demanding the extension of the audiences foraines, the Prime Minister recalled that in conformity with the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, technical teams had 90 days to finish the program, and therefore he [Soro] cannot accede to this demand," reported the paper.

5. As President Gbagbo is set to meet today his South African counterpart, Thabo Mbeki, as part of his visit to that country, Soir Info (a privately-owned daily) critically looked at "the motive" behind the Ivorian leader’s visit to South Africa. Officially, reported the paper, the talks between Gbagbo and Mbeki will focus on the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire. The paper recalled a recent decision by French President Nicolas Sarkozy "to re-negotiate a military accord" with its former colonies including Cote d’Ivoire. As the question regarding the presence of French troops in Cote d’Ivoire has always been a subject of "controversy", commented the paper, this "thorny issue" could be also high on the agenda during talks between Gbagbo and Mbeki.

6. "There won’t be any alliance between Soro and the RDR," said a banner headline that ran across Nord-Sud Quotidien, (a daily close to the opposition.) According to the paper, Soro, in an interview granted to the French newspaper Jeune Afrique, said: "I’m the leader of the New Forces, Prime Minister and the referee of the electoral process. To demonstrate our neutrality, my movement will not support any candidate. However, individual members are free to do what they want."

7. Regarding the alleged coup d’etat designed to topple the regime in Abidjan, Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) today reported that Jean Paul Ney, the French journalist who has been detained in Abidjan in connection with this affair, has started "a hunger strike to protest against his illegal detention."

Media Coverage of Embassy’s Activities

Le Matin d’Abidjan (a daily close to the ruling FPI party): In today’s edition, the paper carried a pre-event paper announcing a conference to be organized today by the US Embassy in Abidjan on the topic: "Women leaders at the heart of the American Revolution." The positive item explained that the conference is to celebrate World Women's Day and to encourage women from different social and political backgrounds to emulate their American counterparts.

In today’s edition, the paper carried a pre-event paper announcing a conference to be organized today by the US Embassy in Abidjan on the topic: "Women leaders at the heart of the American Revolution." The positive item explained that the conference is to celebrate World Women's Day and to encourage women from different social and political backgrounds to emulate their American counterparts.

In yesterday’s edition, Le Matin d’Abidjan positively reported on a DVC program that focused on how women can play a leadership role in politics. The conference was also part of activities organized by the US Embassy in Abidjan to mark World Women's Day.

March 18, 2008

Tuesday’s Ivorian press reported on Prime Minister Guillaume Soro’s interview, which was published in a French newspaper. The papers also devoted many columns to the general political atmosphere in Cote d’Ivoire with much focus on the upcoming presidential elections; one reported on Cote d’Ivoire's efforts on debt relief under the international institutions' Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.

1. L’inter (a privately-owned daily): With a picture of the Ivorian Prime Minister on the front-page, the paper told readers that Soro has unveiled his political agenda, in an interview granted to the French newspaper Jeune Afrique. According to the paper, Soro said "the New Forces, which was an armed movement, is now becoming a responsible and credible force capable to manage the state’s affairs. For the mean time, our future is not the order of the day. Let’s wait till the wake of the presidential elections to talk about that." Talking about the ongoing debate on whether there should be disarmament before the elections or not, Soro said that "it’s unfair to say that the New Forces are unwilling to lay down their guns." He also indicated that "despite the fact that the government is finding it difficult to provide allowances promised to be paid to the dismantled former combatants, the New Forces continue the cantonment of its soldiers." "There were no weapons in Kenya, but 1,500 people were killed," the Ivorian Prime Minister was quoted as saying.

2. "2008 presidential elections: Soro unveils his ambition," said a prominent headline in Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party). According to the paper, the Ivorian Prime Minister promised to clearly make public his political ambitions after the upcoming presidential elections. "The Ouagadougou Political Agreement does not allow me to stand for presidency. I’m eager to see the elections to be completed in order to finally make known the ambitions that I have for my country," Soro is quoted as saying. He also reportedly said: "If the future elected president proposes to work with the New Forces to manage the country, we’ll see what we can do."

3. Regarding his relationship with other political forces in Cote d’Ivoire – notably the opposition Rally of the Republicans (RDR) --, after he signed a comprehensive peace agreement with President Laurent Gbagbo, Soro said: "I’m not the rival of Alassane Dramane Ouattara (the leader of RDR)," reported Le Patriote (a daily close to the RDR party). "My rapports with Alassane Dramane Ouattara are good. He was part of those who encouraged me to resume dialogue with Gbagbo," the Ivorian Premier is reported as saying.

4. Meanwhile, Nuit et Jour (a daily close to the opposition) alleged that the Ivorian First Lady, Simone Ehivet Gbagbo, is maneuvering "to remove Soro out of office." According to the paper, "the First Lady has never accepted the nomination of the leader of the New Forces as the Prime Minister of Cote d’Ivoire, because he [Soro] and his men have saddened the image of President Gbagbo."

5. In a separate development, L’intelligent d’Abidjan (a privately-owned daily) informed readers that Gbagbo is expected in South Africa today to meet with President Thabo Mbeki. The paper said the main purpose of Gbagbo’s visit is to seek support from his peers including Omar Bongo Omdinba of Gabon and Mbeki "to step up pressure on Soro to organize the upcoming elections in June this year, otherwise he [Gbagbo] can no longer partner with Soro."

6. A recent announcement by the Director of Ivorian Customs Services that he will stand for presidency has triggered a hot debate in the local dailies, especially Le Jour Plus, which called the presidential hopeful "the fourth political force in Cote d’Ivoire." According to this daily, which is close to the opposition, Gnamien Konan’s decision, which had apparently "amused the doubting Thomas," has sparked what the paper called "an exceptional mobilization." Many observers, suggested the paper, now believe that "the man has a great chance to change the political landscape in Cote d’Ivoire," as he stands as "the fourth political figure" in the running for the office of the president.

7. On the economic front, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily), reported that an agreement signed this year between Cote d’Ivoire and international financial institutions on economic reforms could allow the country to benefit a substantial debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. The paper said the announcement was made by Ivorian Minister of Finance, Charles Koffi Diby, during a conference in Abidjan. Diby announced that the access to this program would help scale down the debt to be serviced by Cote d’Ivoire by 15 per cent a year.

March 17, 2008

Ivorian newspapers today reported on concerns about the forthcoming presidential elections, which are planned to be held later this year; and fraud in Ivorian identity documents. The papers also reported on the cantonment of former rebels, corruption and illegal enrichment in Cote d’Ivoire.

1. Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party): A banner headline said that "it’s impossible to organize presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire in June 2008." The paper then cited "three major obstacles" that could lead to the delay of the electoral process. One of them, reported the paper, is the identification process, which is yet to get "momentum." According to the paper, the cantonment of the former combatants has been delayed, and the international donors are still unwilling to provide full financial supports that would help accelerate the peace process underway in this West African state.

2. While news reports said that the upcoming elections in Cote d’Ivoire hang in the balance, a leading member of the opposition RDR party, who was quoted by Soir Info (a privately-owned daily), said "Gbagbo cannot win the elections." According to the paper, Cisse Ibrahim Bacongo, who was speaking in France, said that the Ivorian opposition figure and leader of the RDR party, Alassane Dramane Ouattara is in "a better position" to win the elections. Regarding the controversy over the date of the polls, Bacongo said "I strongly believe that the elections cannot take place in June."

3. Le Patriote (a daily close to the RDR party): Another leading member of the RDR party, quoted by this paper, warned that "the party would contest the elections’ results if they were rigged." In a separate story, the paper reported that the Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, invited the key political players to come forward with proposals on an eventual delay of the coming elections. According to the paper, Soro, who was speaking to the French newspaper Jeune Afrique, said that "it’s now time for the political stakeholders to say whether the coming elections should be delayed in order to complete the audiences foraines (the public identity hearings designed to provide identity documents to Ivorians)."

4. In a front-page story, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI) denounced what it called "the big frauds" in the issuance of the Ivorian identity testimonial. According to the paper, the cost for identity testimonial now costs about 3,500 instead of 1,000 CFA.

5. In a different story, Notre Voie announced that about 118 former combatants have been cantoned in a center located in the northern town of Ferkessedougou as part of the ongoing disarmament program in Cote d’Ivoire. This 250 capacity center, reported the paper, was built with the support of the UN Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI). Speaking at the ceremony, the New Forces army commander, General Soumaila Bakayoko reaffirmed "the willingness of the New Forces Armed Forces to support the peace process." "We’ll manage to meet the deadline in order to assist in providing security during the elections," General Bakayoko was quoted as saying.

6. "Ivorian religious leaders expressed concerns about illicit enrichment and corruption in Cote d’Ivoire," said a front-page report in Le Patriote. According to the paper, Cheick Aboubacar Fofana, a leading Muslim figure, who was speaking at a conference in Abidjan, denounced the lack of "morality" on the part of Ivorians, and called on religious leaders to help reverse this situation.

Media Coverage of Embassy’s Activities

Over the weekend, the state-owned radio station and some dailies carried stories on a conference on "The development of women leadership." The conference was organized by the US Embassy, as part of International Women's Month observance. The positive reports emphasized the importance to teach young girls the virtue of excellence and good leadership. Soir Info (a privately-owned daily) reported that the US Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire, Wanda L. Nesbitt used the opportunity to encourage young girls to work hard in order to succeed.

The state-owned news agency – AIP – also published on its web site a full story of a DVC that focused on how women can play a leadership role in politics. The positive article was written by the agency’s senior, who participated an International Visitor program on the American elections, last month.

March 14, 2008

Today’s Ivorian papers Highlights are President Gbagbo Laurent’s television interview about the Ivorian crisis, the elections, the process of the crisis settlement, the disarmament process, and the case of Ibrahim Coulibaly, alias IB, the alleged actor of the attempted coups d’etats of 2003 and December 2007.    

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): In an in-depth article, the main daily reported the television interview the Ivorian president had with 8 African TV stations in his village. The interview focused on the Ivorian crisis settlement. The president asserted that there is no disagreement about any issue related to the crisis settlement, reported the paper. About the Ouagadougou Peace Agreement, he added that he is pride of the implementation of the agreement which provides measures for the reunification of the country, a prerequisite for the organization of free and fair presidential polls.

2. In accordance with the Ouagadougou Peace Agreement, the United Nations Organization contributed to the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reinsertion process by the rehabilitation of the sites in Ferkessedougou (North region of the country).  These sites will accommodate 250 soldiers before their insertion to the army, reported Fraternite Matin.

3. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a pro-opposition paper) : A front page story read : ‘The crisis settlement process : Soro empowers women and youth’.  The paper carried out that the Prime Minister Soro Guillaume said: ‘After having built the foundations for the crisis settlement, women and youth have to take responsibility to consolidate the peace process’.

4. General Mangou, the National Armed Forces leader asserted that the soldiers from the front of central Cote d’Ivoire rejoined their different units.  This is a positive sign of the normalization of the situation. He added that the soldiers from the Central-west and the west of the country will follow the same action after the visit of President Laurent Gbagbo in this part of the country. ‘General Mangou and his troops are determined to make peace’, the paper reported.

5. Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party): The daily reported that The Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro met with a delegation of the United Nations Organization including the Director of the African Division of the Department of Peace-making Operations and the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General in Cote d’Ivoire. He reported about the objective of the mission saying that the UNO week long visit to Cote d’Ivoire allowed them to have a clear idea of the positive progress of the peace process.

6. Le Patriote (a daily close to the RDR party): This daily focused on women involment in the struggle for equlity, justice, peace, and development.  To celebrate the International Women day, 90 women gathered to speak out on the behalf of the millions of women for equal rights in all sectors of life. They proclaimed that women have always advocated for a better world.
    
7. L’inter (a privately-owned daily): In a front page story, the paper read: ‘IB’s men reported in San-Pedro’.  The paper indicated that Ibrahim Coulibaly, alias IB partisans were preparing an assault against the Ivorian ruling party, from San-Pedro. The paper qualified this article, from an unknown source, as a strategic way to destabilize Cote d’Ivoire.

8. Soir Info (a independent dayly): The daily highlited in its front page: ‘The military are returning to their barracks’.  During a ceremony, General Philippe Mangou, the Ivorian Armed Forces leader, asserted that the armed forces are definitely joining their units after more than five years at the front. This is a sign of the advancement of the of the Demobilization, Disarmament, and Reinsertion process.

9. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI): a front page story reported: ‘After 5 years at the front,400 soldiers come back to Abidjan’. Within the context of the Demobilization, Disarmament, and the Reinsertion process, the paper reported Philippe Mangou addressing the soldiers to fully implement the Ouagadougou Peace Agreement, to forgive and commit themselves to the peace-making process.   

10. Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition): The daily reported that to support the Demobilization, the Disarmament, and the Reinsertion process the United Nations Organization in Cote d’Ivoire will dedicate to the government the sites he rehabilitated for the collection of weapons. The ONU also contributed to the statement of the procedures of the milices disarmament.

11.The paper reported in a separate article about the presidential elections initially scheduled for June 2008.  It pointed out the concern about the delay of the reinsertion process of ex-soldiers and wondered if the elections would meet with the deadline set by the Ouagadougou Peace agreement.

12. Le Temps (a daily close to Gbagbo): A front page story displays: ‘All right for the elections, but disarmament first’. The paper reported President Gbagbo’s television interview during which he clearly stated his willingness to definitely put an end to the crisis and organize the elections. He added that according to Ouagadougou Peace Agreement, the prerequisite to fair elections are the disarmament and the reunification of the country. He is aware of the difficulties about the implementation of the agreement, reported the paper.   

March 13, 2008

The disarmament, the identification process, the elections, the contributions of the Ouagadougou agreement to the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire are the main front-stories in today’s Ivorian dailies.

1.     Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): After one year, the spokesman of the ‘Forces Nouvelles’, Sidiki Konate, assesses the results of the Ougadougou peace agreement. ‘The Forces Nouvelles hail the notable advances of the Ouagadougou agreement’, he said during a press conference. In a separate article, he stated that the Forces Nouvelles do not intend to block the disarmament process.

2.     At the outcome of the fifth meeting about the identification process, chaired by the Prime Minister, the Minister of Justice, Mamadou Kone, declared on behalf of the PM that the identification process will be effective according to the adopted methods. He added that the process will involve all the stakeholders of the rebuilding of the identification data. In the afternoon, a delegation of the United Nations Organization’s African Division of the Peace-keeping Department led by the Director a. i. met with the MP. In Cote d’Ivoire for a few days, he reported that he has a good idea of the peace process.

3.     Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party): A headline in the front of the paper read: ‘Elections security: The United States offer their expertise’. Reporting after a meeting between the Minister of Interior, Desire Tagro, and the US Ambassador, Wanda Nesbitt, the paper said that the American diplomat indicated that the discussion focused on the program initiated by the State Department of the United States for the state security issues management. According to the paper, the Ambassador also underlined that this program, may be addressed to the National Police.

4.     The Spokesman of the ‘Forces Nouvelles’, Konate Sidiki, clarified the position of the ‘Ex-rebellion’ party about the Ouagadougou agreement, signed a year ago. ‘The Forces Nouvelles do not intend to block or to escape from the disarmament process. But, the process is slowed down due to technical difficulties’, he declared.

5.     Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party): A front page headline read: ‘Disarmament, identification, administration redeployment, and ‘centralization of collection of public funds (unicité de caisse).  The paper reported that the Forces Nouvelles respond to Gbagbo and the ruling party FPI.  In a press conference, Sidiki Konate, the spokesman of the Forces Nouvelles gave the historical background of the Ouagadougou peace agreement, and focused on the effective advances of the agreement on a national scale including the public hearings (audiences foraines), the identification process, the restoration of the government authority, the administration redeployment, and the ‘centralization of collection of public funds (unicité de caisse). He concluded: ‘…after only one year of the Ouagadougou Peace Agreement, the Forces Nouvelles congratulate the president Laurent Gbagbo and the Prime Minister for their commitment to apply fully the measures of the agreement together and involving the other political parties in order to achieve peace’.    

6.     Nord-Sud Quotidien (a pro-opposition paper):  This paper also focuses on the elections and the Ouagadougou peace agreement.  An article reported that the Ouagadougou peace agreement allowed the political parties to resume their activities.  The freedom of organizing meetings have become a reality. It pointed out the different meetings organized by the parties throughout the country.

7.     During their third conference, the Forces Nouvelles reasserted in a headline: ‘No political willingness to block the disarmament’. The PM’s Counselor, Alain Lobognon, and Konate Sidiki, the Forces Nouvelles spokesman ‘are optimistic about the ending of the crisis’ reported the paper.

8.     Le Patriote (a daily close to the RDR party): This daily reported on the assessment of the Ouagadougou peace agreement after one year, by the Forces Nouvelles.  The party spokesman asserted: ‘The Ouagadougou agreement is more than a symbol’. He reported that he is pleased with the achievements of the agreement.

9.     Soir Info (an independent daily): The paper reported about a meeting between the US Ambassador Wanda Nesbitt and the Minister of Interior, Desire Tagro on March Wednesday 12, 2008. According to the daily, the US diplomat stated that the discussion dealt with the assistance of foreign countries for secure elections in Cote d’Ivoire.  ‘Considering the situation, we discussed about the organization of the police to secure the forthcoming elections’, reported the paper.

March 12, 2008

The elections in Cote d’Ivoire and the trial of Ibrahim Coulibaly, alias IB, the alleged architect of the attempted coups d’etats of 2003 and December 2007 are the front-stories in today’s Ivorian dailies.

1. L’Inter (an independent daily)’s front-page story headline said: “On trial for an attempted coup d’etat in 2003, Ibrahim Coulibaly (IB) defends himself from an unknown location in exile.” According to the paper, IB said on the French radio (AFP) last Tuesday that he was in Belgium. He also said that he never recruited any mercenaries and that the dossier was empty. He was quoted as saying: “I told my lawyers that I would not go to France, because I don’t see the importance of that trial. What they are doing is to prevent me from going to Cote d’Ivoire and be a candidate against Gbagbo for the 2008 presidential election.”

The paper also reported that the international community is still hesitating to give funds for the presidential election in Cote d’Ivoire. The paper said the international community wants to make sure that funds given would be appropriately used. Last Monday, after a meeting with the President of Independent Electoral Commission, the French Ambassador, Mr. André Janier stated: “We wanted to be sure that the funds would be well used.”

2. “Trial in Paris, why Ibrahim Coulibaly is hiding” was a front-page headline in Soir Info (an independent daily). According to the paper, the absence of the Ivorian army deserter, IB at the trial was due to the fact that he was scared of being arrested as his accomplices have confirmed that they were recruited to overthrow Gbagbo. The paper also said that IB dismissed his trial and denied the recruitment of mercenaries. He is quoted as saying: “I don’t know any of them. I have never seen them. They have never called me. Everybody knows who used mercenaries on the field.”

Soir Info also reported that the President of the Independent Electoral Commission had a meeting with the international community last Monday. The paper said that following the meeting the head of the Commission announced that the Commission had 10 billion CFA for the election and other funds will also come. The funds will be managed by UNDP, which will provide transparent ballot boxes, kits for the poll stations and ink to the Commission.

3. A headline in Nuit & Jour (an independent daily), reads: “Trial of IB in France, the big comedy; Integrated Center of Command (CCI) invisible in the field at five months to the elections”. The paper asked why France, which is among the big countries with the best security systems cannot locate IB. The paper also suggested that the reality is that French Justice wants to get rid of this case, which has become cumbersome.

4. Le Matin d’Abidjan (a daily pro-FPI)’s front-page story was on the “Delay in the disarmament, here are those who manipulate Soro.” According to the paper, in accordance with the third supplement of the Ouagadougou Agreement, which is disarmament, it was supposed to have started on December 22, 2007 and should have reached its picked up momentum by now. But getting the ex-combatants assembled still continues. The paper said that Prime Minister Soro is under the pressure from some political leaders like Alassane Ouattara, who wants elections without disarmament so that he would contest the elections if he loses. The paper also said that Ouattara is relying on New Forces’ soldiers, who have remained loyal to him to apply the “Kenyan schema” if Gbagbo wins.

On IB’s trial, Le Matin d’Abidjan reported that one of his accomplices revealed everything yesterday at the court. According to the paper, Chakoui, one of the accused said: “I admit that I asked Daniel Pohl about arms, because for me the French state was behind the coup and it was legal.” However, Daniel Polh retorted saying: “Chakoui told me that he was going to Corse (a French island) to meet a representative of the French state. I even asked him if we kill Gbagbo, who France will want as his replacement. He said it was Sergeant Ibrahim Coulibaly.”

5. On the same topic, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) said that during the second day of the trial, the lawyers requested the presence of IB at the court. For them, it is the only way to have all the pieces of the puzzle, because for four hours, the accused were just accusing each other.

6. In Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition), reported that Prime Minister Soro and Switzerland Ambassador Dominik Langenbacher signed an agreement yesterday. The paper said the agreement is about a five billion CFA contribution from Switzerland towards the peace process.

7. In Le Nouveau Réveil (a daily close to the former ruling party PDC), the front-page story said: “In a political meeting yesterday in Napié (North), Mady, the Secretary General of PDCI, escaped an assassination.” According to the paper, a New Forces’ soldier called Soro Lamine, who was armed, was arrested in the crowd. According to information provided to authorities, Lamine was not from that sector. The paper said the population questioned what he was doing there.”

March 11, 2008

The front-page stories of today’s Ivorian dailies are the trial of Ibrahim Coulibaly alias IB, the alleged architect of the attempted coups d’etats of 2003 and December 2007; disarmament and elections in Cote d’Ivoire; and the crash of the French troop Licorne helicopter. The papers also reported on the dismissal of the Chief of Police.

1. In Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) the front-page story was on the trial of Ibrahim Coulibaly (IB). The story headline said: “Court of Paris, a mercenary of IB confessed in court: We were planning to kill Gbagbo.” The lawyers of IB gave up as he risks being sentenced for seven year’s imprisonment. According to the paper, out of 13 people accused of plotting against Gbagbo, only 10 showed up. All of them confessed that they had accepted to participate in the project of killing Gbagbo. Ibrahim Coulibaly who was the main architect of the project was not present.

The paper also reported that the chief of the Ivorian police, Controller General Yapo Kouassi, was dismissed by the Minister of Interior and replaced by his assistant. The Chief of Police however refused to quit; he instead sent a radio message to all the police that he remains their chief. According to the paper, some police officers said that the Minister of Interior never hid his intention of placing his own men. To that effect, in the new organization chart, directions of service have been subject to intense scrutiny.

2. Le Patriote (a daily close to RDR) also reported on the trial of Ibrahim Coulibaly yesterday in Paris. The headline said: “Affair of RPG7 in Cocody, the strange trial of IB started in Paris; the lawyers of the Sergeant-chief: “We don’t know where he is.” According to the paper, IB was absent yesterday at his trial in Paris. Seen as the trouble maker in all the regimes of Cote d’Ivoire since the death of Houphouet Boigny, the lawyers of IB told the court yesterday that they had no news of their client who was in Benin until December 2007. (Note: IB has been declared persona non grata because of his implication in the attempted coup d’etat at Christmas in Abidjan.)

Le Patriote also reported that in Soro’s collaboration with Gbagbo, he must mistrust him. According to the paper, Gbagbo withdrew the resolution of the Ivorian crisis from the hands of the international community and initiated the direct dialogue with the ex-rebellion and nominated his fierce enemy as Prime Minister. By doing so, Gbagbo’s intention was to “swallow” Soro in his camp. The paper continues to say that a year after the signature of the Ouagadougou Agreement, the Prime Minister’s courage, the opposition’s vigilance combined with the determination of the facilitator allowed for some progress in the peace process. The paper also said that Gbagbo has now fallen into his own trap; he cannot personally obstruct the Agreement as he was the principal initiator. Also, he cannot openly declare war to his Prime Minister. The paper said Gbagbo is urging his “slaves” who claim that without the disarmament of ex-combatants, there will not be any election, to act against the Prime Minister.

3. L’Inter (an independent daily)’s front-page story headline said: “Trial for attempted coup d’etat, IB’s accomplices appeared before the court yesterday; IB was nowhere to be found; what each mercenary was supposed to gain in the operation.”  According to the paper, former foreign legionaries who were arrested in summer 2003 based on information about their preparing a coup d’etat in Cote d’Ivoire, were yesterday before the criminal court of Paris. The paper said the main instigator, IB, was absent. According to the paper, his accomplices declared that they were supposed to attack President Gbagbo’s convoy and were supposed to be paid 400,000 euros (approximately $613,500) each for the operation.  

The paper also reported that more than 200 Government defense and security forces elements that have been in the front line for over five years, returned to their base yesterday. When asked, if the war had ended, some of them replied: “Yes the war is finished; we would say that the war is definitely finished. We ended our congregation since January 24, 2008 and we are going back to our original positions before the war.”

4. On the economic front, L’Inter also reported that a mission of the African Development Bank (ADB) arrived yesterday in Abidjan. According to the head of the delegation, Dr. Mansur Muhtar, this first visit of the board of directors of ADB is to see the progress made in the peace process and how the bank can contribute to help consolidate the Ouagadougou Agreement. Dr. Muhtar also stated that the return of the bank to Cote d’Ivoire is also a great importance.

5. “Trial in Paris for the attack against the national security, IB boycotted the hearing” was in the headline in Nuit & Jour (an independent daily). According to the paper, IB, the architect of the attempted coup d’etat in Cote d’Ivoire as well as his money man, a Lebanese, who were supposed to appear before court yesterday in Paris did not show up.

6. In Soir Info (an independent daily) Ibrahim Coulibaly’s lawyers stated that they do not know the whereabouts of IB. One of IB’s lawyers, Mr. Antoine Comte, was quoted as saying: “We are like the court. We have difficulties to find the geographical location of Ibrahim Coulibaly and we have not received any instruction from him.” The paper said the trial will end on April 2, 2008.

The paper also reported the crash of Licorne’s (the French troop in Cote d’Ivoire) helicopter yesterday due to pilot error.

7. In L’Intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily), the front-page story said: “Yves Fofana, a member of Parliament close to the former ruling party PDCI said that this country (Cote d’Ivoire) does not belong to neither to Soro nor Gbagbo; Soro cannot be both Prime Minister and chief of New Forces; he must disarm his men who ask for travel orders to go in their zones.” The paper said Mr. Fofana reiterated that to avoid the difficulties in the organization of elections in June 2008, it is imperative that Prime Minister Soro disarm his men before elections.

8. Le Temps (a daily close to Gbagbo) carried a story which said that the peace process might stop. According to the paper, the massive presence of New Forces soldiers in Gagnoa last weekend for the celebration of the International Women’s Day was to prevent an assassination of the Primer Minister. The paper also said that one of Soro’s body guards stated: “We can no longer remain unguarded as far as the Prime Minister’s security is concerned. We have information that they want to kill us. Some people hidden in the dark want to kill him. So, all the Prime Minister’s trips in the North as well as in the South must include his close guards.”

March 10, 2008

 

Today, Ivorian dailies reported on Cote d’Ivoire’s celebration of the International Women’s Day in Gagnoa, Gbagbo’s home town. The paper also reported on the peace process, the identification process, as well as the trial of Ibrahim Coulibaly alias IB, the alleged architect of the attempted coups d’etat of 2003 and December 2007.

1. In Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) the front-page story was on President Gbagbo's and his Prime Minister's participation in the International Women’s Day celebration last Saturday in Gagnoa. The story headline said: “Return of peace, women claim their places…” According to the paper, Prime Minister Soro said “We should refuse to confine them in accessory tasks.” During Soro’s address to Gagbo, Soro stated: “Some zealous sycophants went to warn you that the Prime Minister is lulling you to control you. The same sycophants came to see me in secret and told me that you were planning to assassinate me. But the fact that we are here together proves that the Ouagadougou Agreement works well and significant progress has been made for the organization of democratic and transparent elections.”

Ambassador Nesbitt and DCM Akuetteh attended the celebration in Gagnoa.

Fraternité Matin also reported that the trial of Ibrahim Coulibaly (IB), who was accused of plotting a coup d’etat in 2003 against Cote d’Ivoire will start today in France. He was accused of having recruited mercenaries to kill President Gbagbo to gain power. Ibrahim Coulibaly is also implicated in the alleged attempted coup d’etat in December 2007. (Note – the whereabouts of Ibrahim Coulibaly are unknown at this time.)

2. Le Temps (a daily close to Gbagbo) reported on Prime Minister Soro’s comment on rumors about assassinations and coup plotting. The story headline read - “From Gagnoa, Soro reveals: “Some people come to see me at night to plot against Gbagbo.” According to the paper, during the celebration of the International Women’s Day last Saturday in Gagnoa, Soro told detractors of the actors in charge of the implementation of the Ouagadougou Agreement: “Some people come by night to tell me things that might have stopped the Ouagadougou Agreement but I never yielded to manipulation. We are here and the Agreement works well.”

3. On the same subject, L’Inter (an independent daily) reported that Soro denounced zealous sycophants in his camp and those in Gbagbo’s camp. He is quoted as saying: “Mr. President, a year after all the skeptics' predictions on the death of the Ouagadougou political agreements, we are still here. For that reason, some zealous persons are doing everything to break our relations.”

4. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported that Soro told women during the International Women’s Day celebration that by choosing the slogan “the war is finished”, they show the path to peace and to communicate their faith in that peace. He is quoted as saying: “Women of Cote d’Ivoire, it’s clear; go and communicate peace to your husbands, your children so that nobody ignores it.”

5. “Peace process: Gbagbo wants to tear the Ouagadougou Agreement” is the headline in Nuit & Jour (an independent daily). According to the paper, every time Gbagbo has the opportunity, he tries to show the incompetence of Soro and the deficiencies in the Agreement they have signed.

6. A map showing the role of SAGEM, the operator in charge of identification, is a front-page item in Le Patriote (a daily close to RDR). According to the paper, the 55-page document of the “Cahier de charges”, without the annexes, is a real guide for all the structures involved in the identification and the electoral census. The paper said that the handbook gives functional and technical specifications of solutions as well as services and results expected from SAGEM-SECURITE. It also identified the 11,000 locations where the identification process will occur.

7. Le Patriote also reported that President Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso, the mediator in the Ivorian peace process, during a visit in Paris last Friday stated that he will do every thing to have the elections in Cote Ivoire in June. He is quoted as saying: “I told President Sarkozy about my confidence in the inter-Ivorian agreement signed on March 4, 2007. We will work to overcome the last obstacles and to finalize the electoral lists in April and May and create conditions for the organization of elections. We do not intend to have elections in any conditions, but for the time being, our perspective is to have them in June."

March 7, 2008

 

Tension between President Gbagbo and his Prime Minister; the general elections; Cote d’Ivoire and France relationship; and the embezzlement of customs agents war allowances are today’s front-page stories in Ivorian daily newspapers.

1. In a front-page story, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported on the announcement by Gnamien Konan, the Director General of Ivorian Customs, to run for president. According to the paper, Mr. Gnamien wants to be president in order to change things in the country. He is quoted as saying: “When politicians will govern their nation as if they were worshiping God, then the path that leads to prosperity will be open to all humanity.”

The paper also reported that Prime Minister Soro went to Gabon yesterday to meet President Bongo in order to warm up the relations between the two countries before the Ivorian presidential elections, which will take place this year.

2. In Le Nouveau Réveil (a daily close to the former ruling party PDCI) the front-page story is: “Gbagbo-Soro, everything is mixed up; why the clash is unavoidable.” According to the paper, after Gbagbo’s interview on the UNOCI, (the U.N radio) the hostility between Gbagbo and Soro is back. Remarks made by Gbagbo in response to questions during the interview showed that the two do not have the same perception and vision of the peace process. And the paper questions: who will have the last word?

3. A headline in Nuit & Jour (an independent daily) said: “Elections before or after disarmament, Gbagbo-Soro: the war is declared”. According to the paper, the romance between the New Forces and the presidential camp is smashing into pieces because of the issue of the election before or after disarmament. The paper said that before the Ouagadougou Agreement, the New Forces stated that they would lay down their arms only after elections. Alassane Ouattara, the leader of RDR, who wants elections to be organized quickly, took Gbagbo and Soro at their words and stated that election without disarmament of ex-combatants was perfectly possible.

4. In L’Inter (an independent daily), the paper reported that during a signing ceremony last Wednesday between the Ministry of Technical Education and Vocational Training and the Program for Reinsertion and Community Rehabilitation, Mr.Dosso, Minister of Technical Education and Vocational Training confirmed what was rumors in the Ivorian opinion about the real dates of elections. He is quoted as saying: “For me, a program must be spread on a minimum of ten years. It must go beyond the people who signed the Agreement. It must go on beyond our mission which I would say will go until 2010.”

The paper also reported that the Minister of Justice wants to extend the delay of the public hearings (audiences foraines) because out of 111 teams deployed to do the job only 18 have finished their mission. According to the paper, the Minister also said that some political parties as well as a mission of the Special Representative of the facilitator have requested that the hearings delay be prolonged because the teams have not yet reached all the populations, specifically those living in the countryside. But the Prime Minister asked him to consult the facilitator in order to see if something can be done regarding the elections date in order to avoid tensions.

5. “On the Cote d’Ivoire-France relationship, a front-page story in Le Temps (a daily close to Gbagbo) said: Cote d’Ivoire-France/Thaw and charming operations; here’s why Sarkozy had his speech read by Gbagbo.” According to the paper, President Gbagbo said that during Sarkozy’s visit in South Africa, before he spoke at the Parliament, he gave a copy of his speech regarding military and defense agreement to three African Heads of state, including Gbagbo himself. The paper said Gbagbo told Sarkozy that if he said that in Pretoria, he would be congratulated by Thabo Mbeki because it is one of the topics they have often discussed.

6. On the war funds embezzlement, a headline in Le Jour (a daily close to the opposition) reads - “Embezzlement of customs Agents war allowances, Mangou and Gnamien Konan accused.” According to the paper, the Ivorian customs are on strike for one week because of the non-payment of their war allowances. They accused their director general and the Chief of staff of the Ivorian army of having embezzled their war allowances.

7. Le Jour (a daily close to the opposition) reported that an American NGO called International Relief Committee (IRC) signed an agreement protocol with the Ministry of technical training in order to rehabilitate five training centers in western and northern Cote d’Ivoire.

March 6, 2008

President Gbagbo’s interview of UNOCI-FM (the radio of the U.N operations in Cote d’Ivoire) regarding the general elections and the disarmament is today’s front-page story in Ivorian daily newspapers.

1. In a front-page story, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported on President Gbagbo’s interview on UNOCI radio. The story headline was - “Gbagbo on UNOCI-FM: We will collect all the weapons before the elections.” According to the paper, when asked if disarmament will take place before elections, Gbagbo is quoted as saying: “Our objective is to implement the Ouagadougou Agreement and that agreement stipulates that we do disarmament first."

2. The paper also carried Gbagbo’s comments on the relationship between France and Cote d’Ivoire in which the president said “Since the arrival of Sarkozy, I sleep well. It was the last moments of Chirac’s mandate that were nightmarish. Now I only take care of the peace process.”

3. Still reporting on Gbagbo’s UNOCI radio interview, Le Patriote (a daily close to RDR)’s lead story said: “Ouagadougou Agreement, Peace process, Gbagbo is looking for a quarrel; yesterday on UNOCI-FM he tried to deny Ouagadougou Agreement achievements.” According to the paper, during the interview yesterday, President Gbagbo focused on notions about problems and conflicts instead of talking about the Ouagadougou Agreement which was the principal topic of the discussion.

The paper also reported that the U.N. has sent an envoy to Cote d’Ivoire to evaluate the progress of the electoral process. Mr. Zenega Raï, the U.N. chief of political affairs in charge of peacekeeping who met Mr. Robert Mambé, President of the Independent Electoral Commission, stated: “We are very happy about progress made by Mr. Mambé and his team and also the way he collaborates with all the partners.”

4. Le Nouveau Réveil (a daily close to the former ruling party PDCI)’s take on Gbagbo’s UNOCI radio interview was in the front-page story with the headline: “After a year of honeymoon, Gbagbo “shoots” Soro; disarmament will be done before elections; New Forces’ grades are not important for me.” According to the paper, Gbagbo gave his real priorities and his opinion on disarmament, the organization of the elections, the role of SAGEM and the National Statistics Institute (INS). The paper said Gbagbo insists that disarmament before elections is stipulated in the Ouagadougou Agreement. Regarding the ranks of New Forces, President Gbagbo said that out of 52,000 Ivorian soldiers, only 437 joined the rebellion and among them only 30 have issues with their ranks, which he considers minor and that as solvable problem.

5. In Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party), the headline was: “Gbagbo UNOCI-FM: Before elections, we will do disarmament”. According to the paper, President Gbagbo declared on the U.N. radio that the disarmament of ex-combatants will be done before elections in accordance with the Ouagadougou Accord.

The paper also reported that Mr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the Executive Secretary of ECOWAS said that we cannot go to elections without a concrete progress in disarmament.

6. “Identification, disarmament, elections, Gbagbo takes a stand” is the headline of Le Matin d’Abidjan (a daily close to Gbagbo). According to the paper, Gbagbo said his objective is to apply the Agreement that was signed. So they will do disarmament which is to collect weapons and give them to the Integrated Center of Command (CCI).
  
The paper also reported that the recent visit of Sierra Leone’s President, Mr. Bai Koroma was not a simple visit of friendship. According to the paper, news from the Prime Minster’s close circle said that the main objective of President Koroma’s visit was to booster disarmament which is the main obstacle in the peace process in order to go to elections. He invited Ivorians to follow Sierra Leone’s example.

7. In L’Inter (an independent daily) the paper reported that during Gbagbo's interview on ONUCI-FM, he stated that if elections cannot take place in June, it is not a matter of death. He is quoted as saying: “In 2005, elections did not take place and nobody died.”

March 5, 2008

The difficulties in the peace process; the examination of the Ouagadougou Agreement by political parties; the new electoral code; the disarmament of ex-rebels are today’s front-page stories in Ivorian daily newspapers. The papers also reported on another planned coup d’etat.

1. “Gbagbo to politicians: “Prepare elections and stop protest” is the headline of Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily). According to the paper, during a dinner in honor of the Sierra Leone’s President, Mr. Koroma, last Monday at the Presidency, President Gbagbo told Ivorians: “Ivorians, don’t listen to birds of ill omen. Let’s progress; one point remains, that is elections.”

The paper also reported that the International Monetary Fund has resumed its cooperation with Cote d’Ivoire under high surveillance. An International Monetary Fund delegation headed by Mr. Arend Kouwenaar, chief of the Department for Africa came to Abidjan in February for an evaluation of the discussions related to their 2008 budgetary support in order to help the country end its crisis and to permit the re-launching of government activities to reduce poverty and reach the objectives of the Millenium.

The paper also published a report of Agence France Presse (AFP), President Bush’s talks with Medvedev. According to AFP, President Bush called President Dimitri Medvedev on Tuesday and expressed his hope for a close working relationship with him.

2. “Cacophony at FPI, Gbagbo: disarmament first, election after; Dano Djédjé in Korhogo: “Let’s finish this debate and let’s go to the essential” is the headline of the front-page story in Le Patriote (a daily close to RDR). According to the paper, as Gbagbo talks about proceeding with disarmament before the organization of elections, Dano Djédjé, a Minister from FPI says “let us finish the debate on disarmament and to go to the essential – the elections”.

3. In L’Intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily), a front-page story said: “Vision or premonition? Rebels are logical with themselves, they will not disarm. Will New Forces show that Ben Soumahoro alias Waraba, member of the Parliament lied?” The paper reported that in December 2003, Mr. Ben Soumahoro predicted that rebels will never lay down their arms. Today, though the formal administration has been put in place, the rebels still continue to collect taxes and the return of the authority is not yet a reality on the field. Also, the question of disarmament still remains. The paper says that Mr. Soumahoro wants the rebels to prove that he was wrong by laying down their arms for the interest of the country.

On the economic front, the paper reported that Belgians are analyzing the Ivorian market. Fifteen heads of Belgian companies arrived in Abidjan last Monday for an economic mission. During a breakfast offered by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Cote d’Ivoire, Mr. Dirk Verheyen, Ambassador of Belgium in Cote d’Ivoire said that the economic operators of his country have come to Cote d’Ivoire to explore the market. According to the paper, the Ambassador said, Cote d’Ivoire is on the path of peace; it is about time for Belgian investors to come to reposition themselves.

4. A headline in Notre Voie (a pro-FPI daily) said: “Delay in the peace process, Soro Guillaume: we have difficulties; there are financial and security problems”.  According to the paper, Guillaume Soro organized a seminar yesterday to do the assessment of the Ouagadougou Agreement. He recognized that although big progress has been made in the peace process, the Ouagadougou Agreement still faces difficulties in its implementation. For examples, the delay in the designation of the technical operator and the deployment of the public hearings (audiences foraines) teams, the delay in finding resources for the funding of the elections, the security problems and the untimely strikes and other workers’ issues are elements that have created difficulties in the process. Soro told the participants to work in a positive manner to end the crisis.

5. “A year after the Ouagadougou Agreement, Mao Glofiéhi from Guiglo: We will take arms again if . . .” is the headline of Le Jour (a daily close to the opposition). According to the paper, during the celebration of the first anniversary of the Ouagadougou Agreement, the chief of a militia in Western Cote d’Ivoire threatened that if they are not considered in the Agreement and if his elements do not receive allowances like the other soldiers, it will be dangerous for the country. He stated: “I don’t agree that we are put aside otherwise my elements will cause an uprising”.    

6. In the headline story “Socio-political situation, the boss of French troop, Licorne speaks: being a soldier, what I think of the restart of the war.” L’inter (a privately-owned daily) said that French General Clement-Bollet, Licorne Commander, talked about what the New Forces army and government defense and security forces must do. The French General said, the separate forces must disappear and become one unified army before elections. He said that today, the role of the impartial forces is to support the Ouagadougou Accord which entrusted them with a political mandate with regards to security.

March 4, 2008

The state of Licorne, the French troop in Cote d’Ivoire a year after the Ouagadougou Agreement; Defense Agreement between France and Africa; the visit of the Sierra Leone’s President to Abidjan and the general elections are today’s front-page stories in Ivorian daily newspapers. The papers still reported on the assessment of the Ouagadougou Agreement a year after its signature.

1. L’inter (a privately-owned daily) reported that in a press conference organized by the French troop commander, General Clement-Bollet, he stated that a year after the signature of the Ouagadougou Agreement, the peace process is irreversible. He said in that vain, French troops have been reduced but maintained the same arsenal. French soldiers have become development agents as they contribute to the building of brigdes, the rehabilitation of hospitals, schools and roads in every part of the Cote d’Ivoire.

2. “The Ouagadougou Agreement is one-year old, Ivorian don’t want symbols any more” is the headline of L’Intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily). Acording to the paper, the heightened hope among the population when the Ouagadougou Agreement was signed, has disappeared and most Ivorians are now disappointed and don’t believe that elections will take place in June. The paper said the  population is disenchanted because after all the meetings between ex-belligerents and all the signatures, no concrete actions such as disarmament and identification have been implemented and they don’t believe that the Prime Minister is willing to put an end to the crisis.

3. A front-page story in Notre Voie (a pro-FPI daily) echoed the same sentiment about what has happened a year after the Ouagadougou Agreement. According to the paper, most Ivorians interviewed these days about the peace process underway say that although some progress has been made, they are not satisfied yet because they have not seen the elections on horizon. They say Soro is unable to disarm his soldiers. The paper said what the population wants now is a quick disarmament followed by elections in order to have a normal life.

The paper also reported on the primary elections in United States. The story headline reads “Primary elections in United States: the dangerous bend for Hilary Clinton”. According to the paper, Hilary is playing her political future today in Texas and Ohio as her challenger Obama has an advantage of 45% versus 43% of votes for her. The paper also reported that the Republican candidate, John McCain is winning and is sure to have the necessary numbers of delegates to be the Republican candidate to the elections.

On sub-region developments, Notre Voie (a pro-FPI daily) reported on the visit the Sierra Leone’s President Koroma. According to the paper, Koroma arrived yesterday in Abidjan to have some discussions with President Gbagbo and exchange experiences.

5. In its front page, Soir Info (an independent daily) said “Disarmament, former Minister Joel N’guessan replies to Soro; the debate about disarmament is not stupid”. According to the paper, the former Minister of Law stated in an interview that disarmement is paramount for the return to a normal situation. N’Guessan said, “All forces must be disarmed before we can go to elections.”

On the economic front, the paper reported that Cote d’Ivoire has paid up its back payments of 118 billions CFA that the country owed to the World Bank.

6. “Peace process, Gbagbo angry against Choi; why he reproaches the Representative of the UN Secretary General” is the headline in Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI party). According to the paper, Gbagbo is angry with Choi because the Secretary General’s representative requested the arbitration of the UN Security Council on the question of the choice of SAGEM, the operator chosen to do identification. According to the paper, Mr. Choi decided to request the arbitration on the UN Security Council to put an end to the speculations and innuendos over the choice of INS (the National Statistic Institute) or SAGEM for the identification in order to move forward in the peace process.

7.  Le Nouveau Réveil also reported that Lt-Colonel Jacques Combarieux, the spokes-person of the Licorne stated in an interview that the French military base in Cote d’Ivoire will not quit. Although French President Sarkozy announced last week in South Africa that France is not the gendarme of Africa and that its military bases will leave the continent, French soldiers in Cote d’Ivoire said that for the time being, their base here is not affected.

8. “A special protection brigade created: everything on the new FPI militia; why young patriots woo PDCI” is the front-page story of 24 Heures (a daily close to the opposition). According to the paper, the upkeep of the militia is costly. And this militia having become cumbersome, the presidential camp has decided to get rid of them. Meanwhile, a parallel militia called BSPA (Brigade Speciale de Protection d’Abidjan) has been created for future battles and to take care of the security of Abidjan.

March 3, 2008

The assessment of the Ouagadougou Agreement a year after its signature; the upcoming presidential elections; the insecurity in Abidjan; and the clashes between public transportation drivers and security forces are today’s front-page stories in Ivorian daily newspapers.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported on the Ouagadoudou Agreement in a story, quoting Prime Minister Soro saying -“with confidence everything is possible.”  According to the paper, all the actions put in place by the Government since April 2007 have not been entirely implemented. The only action which has been successful is the public hearings (audience foraines). The other action is the identification process which encounters some difficulties as it depends on the reconstitution of the registers of births that were lost or destroyed. Another action to be put in place is the disarmament, demobilization and reinsertion of ex-combatants. According to the paper, though loyalist forces completed demobilization in January 24, 2008, New Forces soldiers have not been demobilized. Also, demobilization of militia forces i