May 29, 2009

An Ivorian daily today said that Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana are wary about security at their borders; as President Laurent Gbagbo yesterday held talks with top Ghanaian security officers in Abidjan. President Gbagbo’s exclusive interview with FRANCE 24 (a French TV network) on the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire was another subject of front-page stories in many dallies. A report on Human Rights in Cote d’Ivoire documented by Amnesty International; UNDP’s financial support to boost Cote d’Ivoire’s economy; a meeting between American businessmen and Ivorian officials and the maiden visit of the leader of the Guinean military junta, Moussa Dadis Camara to Cote d’Ivoire were the other major items in today’s newspapers.

1. A prominent story in L’inter (an independent daily) suggested that President Gbagbo and his Ghanaian counterpart President John Evans Atta Mills have teamed up to crack down on coup plotters. According to the paper, the move came following rumors that renegade soldiers were trying to use the Ghanaian territory to launch an attack on Cote d’Ivoire. The paper further reported that President Gbagbo received Thursday a delegation of top Ghanaian security officers led by Captain Kojo Tsikata. According to the paper Tsikata said: “I’m President Atta-Mills’ special envoy. I’m here to deliver a confidential message from President Atta-Mills to his counterpart, President Laurent Gbagbo relating to the cordial relations and good neighborhood that exist between the two countries.” The paper further commented that the visit of top Ghanaian security officers to Cote d’Ivoire showed that the two countries are taking serious the threat of an attack that is hanging over Cote d’Ivoire. 

2. A prominent report in Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) alleged that government forces are using recent rumors of coup d’etat in Cote d’Ivoire as a pretext to harass the population in Anyama, a district of Abidjan. The report informed readers about the ordeal of inhabitants in this district is tantamount to “terror.”  
 
3. On other security matters, a prominent story in Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) said that La Licorne – French troops based in Cote d’Ivoire - organized on May 6-9, 2009 an important mock military exercise in the southern regions of Cote d’Ivoire. According to the paper, about 500 troops participated in the exercise. The paper quoted a statement of French military command in Cote d’Ivoire, which stated the following - “This exercise was aimed at preparing impartial forces to support the Ivorian troops.”  

4. In a related development, L’inter reported that President Gbagbo himself admitted that the electoral process could be scarred, from time to time, by some skirmishes. The paper said Gbagbo, who was speaking Thursday with FRANCE 24, was confident that this possible violence would not halt the peace process.

5. Reporting on Gbagbo’s interview FRANCE 24, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) quoted the Ivorian leader as saying “The Com-Zones [New Forces military commanders] are former combatants who should be disarmed… Some of them will join the army; while others will return to civilian life.” On a question relating to the controversy over the disarmament or not of the former rebels before the coming elections, Gbagbo said: “The elections will be held because they would hand over their guns.” On whether he will run for the presidency, President Gbagbo said: “For the moment, I’m the President of the Republic and I’m working for the reunification of the country; the disarmament… to push forward the peace process. Once I’m done, I’ll tell you whether I’m a candidate.” President Gbagbo reportedly said that relations between Cote d’Ivoire and France are now “better” as compared to the time former French President Jacques Chirac was in power.

6. Still on bilateral issues, Fraternite Matin said that the leader of the Guinean military junta, Moussa Dadis Camara, is expected in Cote d’Ivoire’s political capital Yamoussoukro on June 5, 2009. The paper indicated that the announcement was made Thursday by President Gbagbo during a Council of Ministers meeting in Abidjan.

7. Fraternite Matin reported on an Amnesty International’s report on Human Rights in Cote d’Ivoire. The report covered human rights abuse monitored in 2008 and pointed out major human rights offenses and gender-based violence throughout the country. These violations, the paper added, include rape and murder. The International NGO called on Ivorian authorities to comply with the rule of law. Reporting on the same topic, Le Patriote said that the Ivorian security and defense forces are often liable in committing these violations.

8. On the economy, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) reported on the cooperation agreement signed between Ivorian authorities and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). This four-year program includes some $123 million to be invested in the Ivorian economy to reduce poverty and encourage good governance. Mr. Carvalho, the UNDP Country Director was reported as saying that this grant will be used to address necessary social, economic and political changes to support the national economy.  

9. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported on a meeting between Ivorian Minister of Animal Resources and Fishery and American partners. Discussions focused on the construction of a new slaughter house in Abidjan. The American delegation, which was lead by Mrs Samantar Rughia, the Managing Director for Africa of Century Group, also used the occasion to address technical and environmental issues related to the project. 

May 28, 2009

Today, Ivorian dailies mostly reported on the UN-led elections certification process; the recent power transfer from the New Forces military commanders and prefects and the meetings between Ivorian authorities and IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Khan during his visit to Cote d’Ivoire. The papers also talked about the National Consensus Days; moves to encourage regional cooperation; and the fight against HIV/AIDS in Cote d’Ivoire.

1. In a front-page article, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) reported on UN Special Envoy Y. J. Choi’s press statement on the UN-led election certification. Mr. Choi explained that the certification process is in line with UN Resolution 1765 and aims at monitoring the different steps to ensure transparency and equity. He also said that the certification will take into account five criteria including the monitoring of the prevailing atmosphere; state media; and clean voters lists to guarantee that the elections are free and fair, the paper said.

2. In a similar development, Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) reported Mr. Choi as saying that: “Once certified, the voters lists could not be subject to any dispute.” The paper added that rebuke and unlawful disputes about  the results would not be acceptable.

3. In another story, Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) reported on the transfer of power from the Com-Zones (New Forces military commanders) to government-appointed administrators (prefects).) The paper informed readers that Com-Zones will remain in charge of matters pertaining to security. The paper also carried an interview with a leading member of the New Forces who said: “The transfer is mainly on administrative issues that are now being handled by prefects.”

4. Still on the power shift, L’inter (an independent daily) reported Prime Minister Soro as saying that tribute should be paid to Com-Zones for their significant role in implementing the Ouagadougou Political Agreement.

5. In a front page story, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported on the IMF Managing Director’s recommendations to Ivorian authorities in their efforts to revive Cote d’Ivoire’s economy. Mr. Dominique Strauss-Khan called on the government to consolidate efforts to relaunch the Ivorian economy. Mr. Strauss was reported to be satisfied with the meetings held with Ivorian authorities.  

6. Still on this visit, L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) reported Mr. Strauss-Khan’s call to avoid acts that could jeopardize the economic program during the election process and to work in a way to bring back investors to the country. The Director of the International Financial Institution again committed the IMF to support the country and the whole region, the report said.

7. On the National Consensus Days, Notre Heure (a daily close to the opposition) reported on a conference that focused on the national employment policy. The paper indicated that thegovernment’s policy had not so far managed to reduce the unemployment rate in the country. Participants therefore advocated a new plan to bring down the rate by 15% by 2015.

8. In another story, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported on plans for the celebration on May 29, 2009 of the 30th anniversary of the Agreement on free movement of people and goods in the West African sub-region. Initiated by ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) member countries, the ceremony will be held in the border town of Noe in eastern Cote d’Ivoire. Representatives from the West Africa Civil Society Forum will use the occasion to sensitize people on their rights and call on Ivorian authorities to implement the agreement signed.

9. Finally, Soir Info (an independent daily) reported on military personnel action against HIV AIDS. The paper indicated that army staff organized immersion days to sensitize soldiers on the disease. Figures say the HIV/AIDS infection rate in Cote d’Ivoire is 4.7%; and that military personnel are the most affected.

May 27, 2009

The press in Cote d’Ivoire today devoted large columns to the ceremony marking the transfer of power from the Com-Zones (New Forces’ military commanders) to government-appointed administrators (prefects) held Tuesday in the central city of Bouake. The dailies also reported on the last round of the voter registration exercise in the remote areas of the country. The dailies again reported on rumors of a coup-d’etat in Cote d’Ivoire; the visit of the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Mr. Dominique Strauss-Kahn; moves by the Ivorian authorities to reform the cocoa and coffee industry; and the U.S-sponsored Democracy Video Challenge competition.

1. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party): A banner headline in this paper said that there has been a giant stride towards peace in Cote d’Ivoire; as New Forces military commanders, who have controlled the north of the country since 2002, on Tuesday relinquished power to prefects. The ceremony, which was held in the central city of Bouake, one time stronghold of the New Forces, was presided over by the leader of the New Forces-turned Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro. The paper further published a document that was signed by both New Forces’ leaders and government officials present at the ceremony. According to this document, “Civilian administrative duties in the territory are exercised exclusively by prefectoral authorities…; security missions would be carried out by the Integrated Command Centre (CCI); and in matters of maintaining or reestablishing order, the prefectoral authorities must resort to the CCI.”

2. The same event was a subject of a prominent story in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) which reported that the Ivorian Prime Minister promised violent-free polls in Cote d’Ivoire, where the country is preparing for crucial presidential elections scheduled for November 29, 2009. The paper said the Prime Minister made the promise Tuesday in Bouake during the ceremony marking the official handover ceremony. On the fate of the New Forces military commanders, the paper quoted New Forces’ Spokesperson Sidiki Konate, who explained that “Today’s ceremony is neither a repudiation of the New Forces military command (one of the signatories of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement) nor a humiliation for the Com-Zones.” Mr. Konate went on to say: “The handover ceremony should not be seen as a systematic dismantlement of the security and defense apparatus of the New Forces and would not either enfeeble or weaken the New Forces.”

3. In the wake of the handover ceremony, L’inter (an independent daily) indicated that New Forces military commanders relinquished only part of their power to prefects. Meanwhile, in a banner headline, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) wondered whether one should believe in this power transfer despite signs of optimism shown by the Ivorian authorities. In a related development, the paper pointed out that while calm and order are being restored in the northern regions of Cote d’Ivoire – formerly under the control of the New Forces – the populations in the southern part of the country are continuously gripped by rumors of a  coup-d’etat.

4. On matters concerning the electoral process, a report in Fraternite Matin said the remedial voter registration exercise has begun in remote areas of the country.

5. On economic issues, a report in Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said that a committee of experts tasked to carry out reforms in Cote d’Ivoire’s cocoa and coffee industry was officially installed Tuesday. The committee’s role is, among other things, to come out with proposals aimed at improving the production and commercialization of the two commodities. 

6. Fraternite Matin reported on a workshop co-organized by the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), Ivorian authorities and civil society on a regional economic program. Discussions focused on ways to boost the market and economy in the sub-region, and to promote investment in key sectors such as infrastructure, transport, energy, human resources, farming and industries.

7. Still on economic issues, Fraternite Matin reported that the visiting Managing Director of the IMF, Mr. Dominique Strauss-Kahn, held a series of meetings with Ivorian officials to discuss the IMF-supported HIPC program for Cote d’Ivoire. Mr. Dominique Strauss-Kahn called on Ivorian authorities to continue efforts in order to reach the final step of decision that would lead to the country’s debts relief and consequently improve its economy. He also stressed Cote d’Ivoire’s economic potentialities and the major role that this country can play in the region, the article further said. Reporting on the same issue, L’inter indicated that one of the major decisions during this visit was the announcement by the IMF’s Managing Director that the international financial institution will support the country’s economy by granting significant resources.

MEDIA REACTION TO U.S. – EMBASSY ABIDJAN – AND OTHER WORLD ISSUES  
Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) informed readers that an Ivorian has qualified to participate in the final of the U.S-sponsored Democracy Video Challenge. Cote d’Ivoire will thus compete with two other African countries for the sub-Saharan region. The report said the public is invited to take part in voting to select the six regional winners of the Democracy Video Challenge, an online video competition that asked participants to complete the phrase, “Democracy is...” The paper wrote the story drawing on material distributed by the public affairs section of the U.S. Embassy.

May 22, 2009

Friday’s news reports in the Ivorian press still focused on the ongoing peace process. Ivorian Labor Party leader’s address; the meetings between UN Special Representative and Ivorian political stakeholders; the launching of a National Consensus Day; the Economic and Social Council Chairman’s call for respecting the elections code of conduct by all; as well as the Ivoirian military’s reaction to rumors of a pending rebel invasion also made the news.  The papers also talked about Cote d’Ivoire’s new financial agreement with the European Investment Bank.

1. Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) reported on Ivorian Labor Party leader Francis Wodie’s call for all to respect the announced date for the presidential election to avoid further delays in the peace process.   According to the paper, Mr. Wodié said that Ivorian political leaders have to demonstrate good faith in implementing the decisions on the elections to facilitate the lifting of the remaining obstacles in the peace process.

2. In another development, Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) reported on interactions between UN Special Envoy in Cote D’Ivoire Mr. Choi with Alassane Dramane Ouattara and with Henri Konan Bedie, respectively, leaders of the opposition RDR and PDCI parties.  Their discussions focused on the decisions from the Fifth Permanent Consultative Framework of the Political Agreement of Ouagadougou and the UN-led elections certification modalities.  According to the paper, Mr. Choi recommitted ONUCI’s support to the peace process.

3. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close the opposition) reported on the launching of the National Consensus Day – May 29.  The paper noted that the National Consensus Day will form the framework of exchanges among the different Ivorian political and social groups to find a common ground and to facilitate lasting solutions that should bring an end to the crisis. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) also reported on the Economic and Social Council Chairman’s call for the respect of the code of conduct that was recently signed by Ivorian political stakeholders. Mr. Laurent Dona Fologo said that the planned November 29 presidential elections must be conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.

4. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported on the military alert in response to alleged possible rebels’ attacks to be launched from the eastern Ghanaian boundary with Cote d’Ivoire. The paper added that General Philippe Mangou (The Ivorian National Defense Forces’ Chief of Staff) has taken necessary actions to address any trouble.   According to the paper, military troops stationed in the south-east city of Aboisso (185 km from Abidjan) are on alert, monitoring and preparing to react to any attacks.  In a similar development, an article in Soir Info (a privately-owned daily reported that Ivorian marines have also been deployed to respond to any potential attack from water fronts.

5. On economic issues, a prominent story in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said that the European Investment Bank and Ivorian authorities signed a financial agreement postponing Ivorian debt reimbursements until 2012. According to the paper, this agreement is in line with IMF-supported HIPC program, which is designed to support the country’s post-crisis economy policy. 

May 20, 2009

Today, the papers in Cote d’Ivoire talked about the actual implementation of decisions that came out of the 5th Permanent Consultative Framework of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement; the New Forces’ call for media responsibility ; a future visit by French officials; an interview by former South African President Thabo Mbeki; the issue of disbanding  militia groups; and  security in Abidjan. The papers also reported on the fight against Hepatitis B.

1. In a front-page article L’inter (an independent daily) mentioned that the hand-over between Com-zone (New Forces’ military commanders) and Government-appointed administrators (prefects) due today was postponed to May 26, 2009. The decision, the paper added, is motivated by technical and practical prerequisites to be discussed in a meeting between the Minister of Interior and the New Forces.
Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party said “Com-zone” should not be rejected but rather supported for their role in the peace process.
Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) reported on New Forces Spokesperson Alain Lobognon’ s call on media to report responsibly to support the ongoing peace process and on the New Forces’ commitment to implement decisions made in Ouagadougou meetings held on Monday, May 18.

2. Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported on an interview with Former South African President Thabo Mbeki (also formerly mediator in the Ivorian crisis.) According to the paper former President Mbeki called on Ivoirians to make the ultimate effort for peace and said “Cote d’Ivoire must end this crisis to play its role in the African renaissance.”

3.  Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) announced that French officials Mr. Claude Guéant and Mr. Bruno Joubert would soon visit Cote d’Ivoire to discuss developments in the peace process and introduce the new French Ambassador, Jean Marc Simon.

4. On the disbandment of militia groups, a report in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said that the process started in the governmental zone on Monday and is being carried out on the basis of a timetable to meet a deadline for completion scheduled for May 28, 2009. Militia men, the paper further added, are gathered in Akouedo –Abidjan’s major barracks – where the initial disbandment is taking place.
5. In another development, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported on a meeting to discuss security between General Guiai Bi Poin, Chief Commander of CECOS – a special security unit based in Abidjan, and Italian Defense Attaché Colonel Pili Paolo. This is one of a series of security discussions in connection with plans to study how to secure the city of Abidjan.   

6.  On health issues, an article in Soir Info (an independent daily) indicated that the Ivorian Network against Hepatitis B organized a testing day to sensitize people about the disease, which claims thousands of lives yearly in the country.

May 19, 2009

1.       In a frontline article, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) sheds light on the Fifth Permanent Consultative Framework of the Political Agreement of Ouagadougou which came out with a precise timeframe for the major processes to lead to the Presidential elections. Thus, the article reported, the poll is scheduled for November 29, 2009; following the release in September 2009 of the voters list.

2.       Still on this meeting, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) mentioned that  ‘’com’zones’’ – Commanding Officers in Forces Nouvelles-held zones- are due to hand over their authorities to ‘’Prefects’’-Government-appointed administrators- as of May 20,2009 as per the final statement.

3.       For Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party), this meeting has ‘’fixed everything’’ and the outcome of the process depends on Ivoirians.

4.       Similarly, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) reports President Blaise Compaoré’s opening address calling on Ivorians to consolidate progress achieved to meet the challenge.

5.       In another development, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition), releases a study carried out by the Ivorian Movement for Human Rights on Ivorian prisons and cells. This investigation concluded that Ivorian prisons and cells are overpopulated and in bad conditions. It added that detainees are often denied basic human rights.

6.       On the identification process, Notre Heure (a daily close to the opposition) reports an interview in which Mr. Bamba Yacouba, spoke person of the Ivorian Independent Electoral Commission explains the logistical and material problems its agents meet in the identification process. The paper reported him as saying that ‘’70% of the goal was achieved and efforts are still being made.

May 18, 2009

The announcement by the government of Cote d'Ivoire of November 29, 2009 as the date for the country’s long-awaited presidential election was again one of the major news item in today’s and weekend issues of the Ivorian press. Reports also said that the 5^th meeting of the Permanent Framework for Consultation (CPC) is due to open today in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. On economic issues, a report in the state-owned daily Fraternite Matin said that Paris Club creditors agreed with the government of Cote d’Ivoire to restructure its external public debt under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. The decision by businessmen in Cote d’Ivoire to call off their strike; an anti-corruption campaign launched by the Cote d’Ivoire Association of International Visitors; Cote d’Ivoire’s participation in a conference on money laundering and President Barack Obama’s next visit to Accra set for July 10-11,2009 were the other major stories.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A front-page story in this paper said that the 5^th meeting of the Permanent Framework for Consultation (CPC) is due to open today in Ouagadougou under the chairmanship of President Blaise Compaore, facilitator in the Ivorian peace process. The report said that President Laurent Gbagbo and his Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, who signed the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, will attend the meeting. Also in attendance are Alassane Dramane Ouattara and Henri Konan Bedie respectively leaders of the opposition RDR and PDCI parties. The meeting of the CPC comes a few days after the government of Cote d’Ivoire announced November 29, 2009 as the date of the long-delayed presidential elections; and the paper quoted President Gbagbo as saying that November 29 is a final date. Speaking to the paper ahead the meeting, the Ivorian former President and leader of the PDCI-RDA party, Henri Konan Bedie, said: “We hope that this meeting will evaluate the whole electoral process; including obstacles that are holding back the peace process.”

2. On reactions after the government of Cote d'Ivoire’s announcement of November 29, 2009 as the date for the country’s long-awaited presidential election, Fraternite Matin in its weekend issue said that United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the announcement and urged all Ivorian parties to respect this date and to work together to complete the remaining tasks related to the electoral process. The United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) said it is ready to provide technical support to the electoral commission in connection with the polls reported the paper. In a related development, the paper said that Ivorian civic groups as well as religious leaders welcome the announcement.

3. On matters concerning the voter registration exercise that has been extended in some remote areas of Cote d’Ivoire, Soir Info (an independent daily) published a statement issued by the Independent Electoral Commission saying that this program will start on May 21, 2009. The identification of Ivorian voters living abroad is set to begin at the end of May, the statement said.

4. In a separate development, Soir Info said that if the elections are held on November 29, 2009 according to plan, about 3,000 Ivorian Moslems could be disfranchised; as they would be out of the country as part of this year’s pilgrimage.

5. On economic issues, a prominent story in the weekend issue of Fraternite Matin said that Paris Club creditors have cancelled USD 845 million of Cote d’Ivoire’s external public debt. The agreement was signed May 15, 2009 under the “Cologne terms”, a program designed by the Paris Club for the implementation of the HIPC. According to the report, this agreement is expected to reduce Cote d’Ivoire’s debt service due to Paris Club creditors during the IMF-supported HIPC program. It further said that Cote d’Ivoire is committed to devote these resources to priority areas identified in the country’s poverty reduction strategy paper.

6. On other economic issues, a front-page story in Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said that businessmen in Cote d’Ivoire have called off a three-day strike that they were planning to launch today. The strike was to protest against a new tax imposed by the Ivorian authorities on imported goods. According to the paper, the strike was cancelled after a meeting between businessmen and President Gbagbo. The report also said that the government and businessmen have reached an agreement on some interim measures including the suspension of the controversial tax. 

7. On another development, a story in Soir Info said that Cote d’Ivoire is to take part in an international conference on money laundering and funding of terrorism due to be held in Qatar on May 24-28, 2009. The report further said that participants from Cote d’Ivoire will include officials from CENTIF – a financial intelligence unit that was put in place by West African countries to fight money laundering in the region.

8. A report in Fraternite Matin said that Cote d’Ivoire’s Association of the United States’ International Visitors (AIVI-USA) organized in the central city of Daloa a conference on justice and corruption. The conference was part of an ongoing anti-corruption campaign sponsored by Transparency Justice – a local Human Rights advocacy group. Speaking at the conference, the President of the association, Mrs Viviane Zunon Kipre, said the main goal of this campaign is to promote and reinforce justice in Cote d’Ivoire.

9. Finally, a report in Fraternite Matin said that President Barack Obama is expected in Accra, Ghana on July 10-11, 2009. The paper commented that for its first visit to Africa, the American President could have chosen to go to Liberia (a country founded former slaves) or to Kenya (the country of his father). But President Obama prefers to go to Ghana, the country of the founder of the African Pan-Africanism, Kwame N’Krumah, to celebrate the country’s successful story in multi-party democracy, the paper said.

May 15, 2009

Reactions after Cote d’Ivoire’s government set November 29, 2009 as the date of the coming presidential elections made headlines in today’s Ivorian press. New developments following clashes by opposing rival ethnic groups in south-eastern town of Akoupe; the visit of a Nigerian military delegation; new revelations on the potentially lethal nature of the toxic waste dumped in Cote d’Ivoire in 2006 and regional efforts to stem the impacts of the global economic crisis in Africa were the major stories.

1. The announcement of November 29, 2009 as the date of the long-delayed presidential elections was subjects of prominent stories in Cote d’Ivoire’s pro and anti-government newspapers. A banner headline in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said that the first round of the polls is finally set for November 29, 2009. The announcement was made Thursday by Prime Minister Guillaume Soro. “The electoral college of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire sets Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009 in view of holding the presidential election of the Republic… The vote will be opened at 0700 GMT and closed at 1700 GMT,” the Prime Minister said in a decree adopted by the Council of Ministers. Mr. Soro was further quoted as saying “We’re all working for the election to be held on that date.” Speaking after this announcement, the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, Robert Beugre Mambe, indicated that “The remedial voter registration in the country’s other regions will begin next week and the identification of Ivorians living abroad will begin at the end of this month.”

2. In a related development, Fraternite Matin carried reactions from various poltical stakeholders following the announcement of the date of the presidential elections. The paper quoted a leading member of the former ruling PDCI-RTDA party as saying: “It is a good thing that a date has been set. But there is a need to take necessary measures to respect this date because this is not the first a date has been fixed for the election.” According to the paper, the opposition RDR party, led by Alassane Dramane Ouattara, also welcomed the decision saying: “the date of November 29, 2009 for the first round of the polls is good news for Cote d’Ivoire.” The ruling FPI party also called for the respect of this timetable, while the New Forces’ spokesperson promised that the former rebel group is fully committed to this date.

3. A front-page story in Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said that the announcement of the date of the elections has definitely put an end to the debate over this issue. Meanwhile, a prominent story in Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) questioned the rationale behind the government’s decision to set November 29, 2009 as the date of the polls. In a separate story, the paper informed readers that this new date was announced after protracted political bargaining between President Gbagbo and the Prime Minister on the one hand and opposition leaders including former President Henri Konan Bedie and Alassane Dramane Ouattara on the other hand. 

4. In a related development, a story in L’inter (an independent daily) said that the representative of the facilitator in the Ivorian peace process, Boureima Badini, has closed the debate over whether the disarmament of the former combatants should be completed or not before the elections. The paper quoted Mr. Badini as saying that “The Ouagadougou Political Agreement clearly recommends that the disarmament should be completed before the elections.”

5. On different military issues, L’inter quoted the Commander of the Gendarmerie, General Edouard Kassarate, who said: “We’ll take all necessary measures to ensure that democracy does not turn to anarchy.” The Ivorian army officer was speaking during a meeting with a visiting delegation from Nigeria’s National Defense University. The report said the delegation is in Cote d’Ivoire to learn more about the role of Cote d’Ivoire’s gendarmerie in strengthening national concord and in supporting post-crisis nation building programs. “Our major challenge is to explain to our people that democracy is not a war,” General Kassarate was quoted as saying. Reporting on the same event, Fraternite Matin quoted the head of the Nigeria delegation, General G. M. Ringin, as saying that he was delighted by the way the Ivorian peace process is being conducted.

6. Soir Info (an independent daily) reported that clashes by opposing rival ethnic groups continued yesterday in the south-eastern town of Akoupe. According to the paper, one person was killed and at least 39 people were injured since the beginning of the riot on Wednesday. The report further said that local authorities are mediating between the two factions in order to put down the fire; and an emergency plan is set up in the town’s main hospital to provide care to the injured people.  

7. On a separate issue, L’inter published documents that shed more light on the potentially lethal nature of the toxic waste dumped in Cote d’Ivoire in 2006. The paper quoted reports saying that analysis of samples of the waste indicate that it contained approximately tons of hydrogen sulphide that is a killer gas.

8. Finally, on economic issues, a report in Fraternite Matin said African Development Bank’s President Donald Kaberuka requested a 200% budget increase to reduce the impact of the global financial crisis on the African continent. Mr. Kaberuka, who was speaking Wednesday in Dakar, Senegal, during bank’s General Assembly, was reported as saying: “this increase is justified and advisable.”

May 14, 2009

The date of the long-delayed presidential elections; transfer of power from the Com-Zones (New Forces’ military commanders) to government-appointed administrators (prefects) and the deployment of an 8,000 special mixed forces throughout the country were subjects of front-page stories in today’s Ivorian press. Clashes by opposing rival ethnic groups and the death of two people, following the raid of a village by Cote d’Ivoire’s student association – widely known as FESCI also made headline stories. The dailies also talked about the case of Ivorian top officials incarcerated for their alleged implication in cocoa and coffee scandal; campaign against corruption; the decision by the Ivorian businessmen to protest against a new tax and measures to protect Cote d’Ivoire against the swine flu.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A prominent story in this paper announced that the Council of Ministers meeting today in Abidjan under the chairmanship of President Laurent Gbagbo is expected to come out with important decisions regarding the date of the presidential elections and the transfer of power from the Com-Zones (New Forces’ military commanders) to government-appointed administrators (prefects). The paper suggested that the date of the long-delayed elections could be announced today. In a separate story, the paper said that a day before this crucial meeting, the Ivorian president held talks with the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, Robert Beugre Mambe, to evaluate the electoral process. The Ivorian electoral commissioner, according to the report, announced that the remedial voter registration exercise will start next week; adding that “Ivorians will know the date of the elections this week…”

2. Still on the controversy surrounding the date of the elections, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) suggested that President Gbagbo has been engaged in negotiations with Ivorian ex-President Henri Konan Bedie and opposition heavyweight Alassane Dramane Ouattara. The paper hinted that the Ivorian leader is trying to convince his opponents to accept November 29, 2009 as the date of the polls instead of October 11, 2009 that was proposed by the Independent Electoral Commission.

3. But Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) told readers a different story. According to the paper, by proposing October 11, 2009 as the date of the polls, the electoral body, which is dominated by pro-opposition and New Forces’ members, violated the spirit of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement on the disarmament and the demobilization of the former New Forces’ fighters. The paper said up to now these programs were yet to be completed; and the former rebels continue holding guns and controlling the central, western and northern regions.

4. In another development, Soir Info (an independent daily) commented on the aborted transfer of power from the Com-Zones (New Forces’ military commanders) to government-appointed administrators (prefects). Quoting reliable sources, the paper said that the ceremony was postponed in order to allow the 8,000 special mixed forces to be fully deployed throughout the country before the power shift. The paper quoted another source suggesting that preparations toward the next meeting of the Permanent Framework for Consultation (CPC) – a body overseeing the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement – could be cited as a motive behind the delay of the power transfer. 

5. A front-page story in Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) said that one person was killed and many others wounded following a clash opposing the Attie and Malinke (widely known as Dioula) ethnic groups in the south-eastern city of Akoupe. According to the paper, the death of a person believed to be an Attie in an area believed to be the home of Dioula people triggered the riot. 

6. Another two persons were killed and many others wounded in the western region of Zouenoula after Cote d’Ivoire’s student association – widely known as FESCI – raided on May 10, 2009 a village, said a front-page story in Fraternite Matin.  According to the paper, houses were burned down as members of FESCI went berserk in reprisal of the death of a student.

7. On other subject, a front-page story in L’inter (an independent daily) said that another Ivorian top official was arrested as part of President Gbagbo’s anti-corruption campaign. According to the paper, Mr. Kouassi Kouame Bernard, the former President of the Board of Directors of SIFCA-COOP – a body involved in the cocoa and coffee industry in Cote d’Ivoire – was sent to jail yesterday in connection with a scandal that has engulfed the Ivorian cocoa and coffee industry. The report further said that the head of SIFCA-COOP will join other officials who are incarcerated for their alleged implication in cocoa and coffee scandal. A separate story in this paper said that the wives of the jailed officials called upon President Gbagbo to grant them pardon.

8. A report in Fraternite Matin said that Cote d’Ivoire’s Association of the United States’ International Visitors (AIVI) is to launch tomorrow in the central city of Daloa an anti-corruption campaign. Sponsored by Transparency Justice – a local Human Rights advocacy group – the program will include a conference on justice and corruption; and will serve as an opportunity to raise awareness on corruption that is gaining ground in Cote d’Ivoire. Through this program, returning International Visitors want to implement what they learned during their visit in the United States.    

9. On economic issues, a report in Fraternite Matin said that businessmen in Cote d’Ivoire are threatening to go on a three-day strike as from May 18, 2009 to protest against government’s decision to impose another taxes.  The report said that the businessmen meeting yesterday in Abidjan vowed to boycott any customs operations to protest a duty to be paid on imported goods. This tax, they said, will just add to the racketeering they have been victims of for the past 10 years.
10. Fraternite Matin reported that Cote d’Ivoire has been chosen to host the 45^th annual assemblies of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in 2010. The decision was taken yesterday during a Board of Governors meeting in Dakar, Senegal. AfDB’s headquarters were based in Cote-d’Ivoire until 2002 when they were provisionally transferred to Tunisia as a result of the war in this West African country.

10. On health issues, a report in Fraternite Matin said the Ministry of Health has put in place preventive measures to stop the swine flu epidemic. The measures include systems to monitor the epidemic at the country’s main Abidjan airports, seaports and other frontiers. Similar measures are set up in schools and markets. Speaking to the press, a health official reassured that there is no sign of this disease in Cote d’Ivoire; and that Ivorians, who recently travelled to Mexico – the epicenter of the disease –; do not show any sign of the disease. 

May 13, 2009

The Ivorian peace process was again a major issue in today’s Ivorian press with a special focus on the current political landscape in Cote d’Ivoire. Reports also said that the Ivorian Interior Minister is demanding the United Nations to partially lift the arms embargo imposed on Cote d’Ivoire since 2004. The transfer of power from the Com-Zones (New Forces’ military commanders) to government-appointed administrators (prefects); France-Africa relations as well as an award ceremony to celebrate the best media organizations in Cote d’Ivoire were the other major news items today.

1. “Elections and reunification should run side by side,” said a front-page headline in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily). The paper attributed this pronouncement to Y. J. Choi, the United Nations envoy in Cote d’Ivoire, who was speaking Tuesday after a meeting with President Laurent Gbagbo. According to the paper, Choi said that the year 2009 will mark a turning point in the Ivorian peace process, especially regarding the coming elections and the reunification of the country. Reacting to a demand made by the Ivorian Defense Minister for United Nations support in the deployment of an 8,000 special mixed forces throughout the country, Mr. Choi said that the deployment of the troops is an important and will be considered according since it forms part of the reunification process.”

2. In a separate story, Fraternite Matin said that the transfer of power from the Com-Zones (New Forces’ military commanders) to government-appointed administrators (prefects) won’t take place today according to plan. The paper told readers that according to sources close to the Interior Ministry, the ceremony has been postponed indefinitely. The paper said that no one in Prime Minister’s office was available to comment on the issue. The paper also said that even officials in Bouake, where the ceremony was supposed to take place today, did not receive any instruction. The paper reminded readers that President Gbagbo, who was speaking a few days ago in South Africa during an official visit, had announced that the transfer of power from the Com-Zones to the country’s administrative authorities will take place on Wednesday, May 13, 2009.

3. A prominent story in L’inter (an independent daily) said that 200 government forces, who were heading to Bouake – former New Forces’ stronghold –were forced yesterday to make a U-turn. On the motive behind the aborted deployment, the paper suggested that the New Forces are insisting for what they called an “equitable” forces’ deployment at each side of the government-controlled south and the New Forces-controlled North of the country.

4. A report in Fraternite Matin said that Ivorian Interior Minister Desire Tagro is requesting that the United Nations partially lifts an arms embargo that has been imposed on Cote d’Ivoire since 2004. According to the paper, the Interior Minister made the plea during a meeting Tuesday with the United Nations envoy in Cote d’Ivoire. According to the paper, this demand came after the Minister of Defense Michel Amani N’Guessan called for UNOCI’s support to deploy the 8,000 mixed contingents throughout the country.

5. On the controversy over the date of Cote d’Ivoire’s long-delayed presidential elections, a prominent story in Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) said that the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission is to propose another date for the polls in the coming days. According to the paper, an unidentified source confirmed that President Gbagbo has asked the commissioner to propose another date and that the new date will still be in 2009.

6. On the political landscape in Cote d’Ivoire ahead of the coming presidential elections, Notre Heure (a daily close to the opposition) speculated that President Gbagbo and Ivorian opposition leader Alassane Dramane Ouattara have signed what the paper called “a secret agreement”. To justify its assertion, the paper noted that the RDR, the party of Mr. Ouattara, has stopped attacking the ruling party; this is prompting political observers to conclude that the two leaders might have signed a gentleman’s agreement ahead of the crucial presidential elections.

7. On France-Africa relations, a prominent story in Fraternite Matin said that there is a need for both sides to end relationships based on paternalism. The paper attributed this pronouncement to French Minister for Cooperation, Alain Joyandet. The French diplomat said this in an interview with the paper during his recent visit to Cote d’Ivoire. The minister reportedly said that there is no need to sign defense accords with Africa.   

8. The pro-opposition daily, Nord-Sud Quotidien has been elected the best newspaper in Cote d’Ivoire during an award ceremony held yesterday in Abidjan. The award was sponsored by the National Press Council – a state-run watchdog committee.  The award has been instituted to encourage professionalism in the Ivorian media. [NOTE: Mr. Moussa Toure, the publisher of Nord-Sud Quotidien, has been nominated to participate in the State Department-sponsored 2009 Investigative Journalism program].

May 12, 2009

The peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire was a major issue in today’s Ivorian press as reports said the lack of funds could hold back the process. A few days after the deployment of first contingents of a special mixed security forces, reports said that the Minister of Defense is calling on the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) to support the program. The controversy over the date of the coming presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire and the decision by the Ivorian government to grant Ivorian news publishers a three-year tax relief were the other major news.

1. A prominent story in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said that the lack of financial resources is holding back the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire. According to the paper, this was one of the conclusions of a two-day programs evaluation conclave held in the southern city of Grand-Bassam. The report said that the conference was organized by the government; and participants used the occasion to denounce the lack of funds needed to boost the peace process. The participants, who were drawn from various government institutions – including ministries, government and former rebels’ security forces --, said that these financial problems are delaying the process. In a bid to reverse this situation, participants called upon national and international community “to reinforce mechanisms aimed at collecting funds to support the peace process,” the paper said. 

2. In a related development, Fraternite Matin carried another prominent story saying that the Minister of Defense, Michel Amani N’Guessan, is calling for the UNOCI’s support to deploy an 8,000 mixed contingent throughout the country. [NOTE: Under the terms of the Complementary Ouagadougou Political Agreement signed in December 2008, pro-government forces and the armed wing of the former rebels of the New Forces are to supply 4,000 troops each to the Integrated Command Centre (CCI) whose role is to ensure security during the electoral process in Cote d’Ivoire.] According to the paper, the minister made the demand Monday during a meeting with U.N. envoy in Cote d’Ivoire Y. J. Choi. The minister reportedly said that at this important stage in the implementation of the agreement, the government is facing technical and financial difficulties.

3. While reports said the government is looking for funds to push forward the peace process, a front-page story in L’inter (an independent daily) said the RHDP – an Ivorian opposition coalition – is pressing the government to fix October 11 as the final date for the coming presidential elections. According to the paper, the four parties within the coalition are threatening to pull out of the transitional government or to organize street demonstrations to press the government to comply with their demand. This decision was taken Monday when leaders of the coalition – including the former ruling PDCI-RDA; RDR; UDPCI and MFA – met in Abidjan on Monday.

4. Still on the date of the forthcoming presidential elections, a report in Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) said that the Carter Center has urged the Independent Electoral Commission to announce a detailed time table for the polls. According to the paper, this was contained in a statement issued by the Carter Center; which has noted significant progress in the identification process. However, the Carter Center encouraged Ivorian political stakeholders to support these efforts in order to organize free and fair elections.

5. On media issues, a prominent story in Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) said the government of Cote d’Ivoire has granted news publishers a three-year tax relief. According to the paper, the decision takes effect from May 4, 2009, 2009. Reporting on the same issue, Fraternite Matin said that the motive behind this decision is to help news publishers overcome financial difficulties that they are confronted with. In a related development, Fraternite Matin announced that the Ivorian government is to provide subsidies to the press. The aid is part of “Fonds de Soutien et de Developpement a la Presse et a la Communication Audio-visuelle (FSDP)”, a program designed to support media outlets in Cote d’Ivoire. According to the coordinator, the budget for the implementation of this program is estimated at FCFA 3.120 billion (about $6 million).

May 11, 2009

Prominent stories in the Ivorian press today said that the date of the long-delayed presidential will be announced this week. Opposition leader Alassane Dramane Ouattara’s rally over the weekend was also in the news. The voter registration exercise; the deployment of the first contingent of a special mixed force; the turning over of regional power by the Com-Zones (New Forces military commanders); and President Sarkozy’s likely visit to Cote d’Ivoire were also major stories in the dailies.

1. A prominent story in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said that the date of the presidential elections will be announced this week. According to the paper, President Gbagbo told Ivoirians living in South Africa the following - “I think that this week, as soon as I return back to Abidjan, we’ll sign the decree based on the date proposed by the Independent Electoral Commission to set the date for the elections.” President Gbagbo was in South Africa over the weekend to attend the inauguration of President Jacob Zuma. Elaborating on the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire, Gbagbo reportedly said that “progress has been achieved.” Regarding the redeployment of government services throughout the country, Gbagbo announced that the transfer of power from the Com-Zones to the countries administrative authorities will take place on Wednesday, May 13, 2009.

2. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) also talked about the president’s intention to announce the date of the long-delayed presidential elections this week. Regarding the voter registration exercise, the paper carried a public statement issued by the Independent Electoral Commission, which said that that some 25,000 persons were registered in the district of Abidjan during the remedial operation, which was launched on April 25, 2009 ended on May 10, 2009. The statement further said that all measures have been put in place for the operation to begin in other regions of the country.

3. A front-page story in Notre Heure (a daily close to the opposition), however, suggested that the remedial voter registration in the country’s remote areas could be delayed due to a strike called by registration agents over salaries. According to the paper, security forces yesterday stopped a demonstration of angry registration agents in the Western city of Duekoue.

4. In a front-page story, Fraternite Matin quoted Ivorian opposition leader, Alassane Dramane Ouattara, who said “elections can be organized without the disarmament.” Mr. Ouattara, who is the leader of the opposition RDR party, was addressing a rally in Abidjan over the weekend. Ouattara said that population public hearings [audience foraines] have been conducted and since September 2008, identification and voter registration programs have been conducted in the same areas; he noted that there were no problems and posed the questioned - “Then why can’t we organize elections on October 11?” In a prominent story, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) called the gathering organized by the RDR Saturday a “mammoth rally.” According to RDR’s daily newspaper Le Patriote, 50,000 youths turned out for the rally. Le Front (a daily close to the ruling FPI) on the other hand told readers that the Ivorian opposition leader used the occasion to sow seeds of violence as well as spread deception among the youths.     

5. In another development, a front-page story in L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) hinted that barring the unexpected, French President Nicolas Sarkozy may travel to Abidjan in September this year as part of his next tour to Africa.

May 8, 2009

Cote d’Ivoire’s newspapers today reported again on the deployment of the first contingents of a special mixed force made up of government soldiers and former rebels. Latest developments in the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire and the launching of a program for the reintegration of former rebels were also subjects of prominent stories. Efforts to increase women’s political participation; circumstances surrounding the release from jail of a French journalist; report on the launching of a program on English Teaching/Learning via Digital Video Conference at a Teachers Training School in Abidjan and a PEPFAR-sponsored program on psychological care for people living with HIV/AIDS were the other major items.

1. A prominent story in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said that President Laurent Gbagbo has given one month to Prime Minister Guillaume Soro to complete the restoration of State’s authority throughout the country and the deployment of the special mixed force made up of government soldiers and former rebels. The joint unit is tasked to ensure security in Cote d’Ivoire during the electoral process. The paper was referring to a statement issued Thursday following the Council of Ministers in Abidjan. Excerpts of the statement said: “The Head of State is pleased about the effective deployment of the special mixed force, the setting up of the Integrated Command Centre (CCI) made up of government and New Forces soldiers… The President of the Republic has instructed the Head of the Government to make every effort for these operations to be completed within a month.”

2. On the deployment of the special mixed force, Fraternite Matin informed readers that out of one hundred New Forces soldiers that were announced to be deployed yesterday; only 40 police officers and gendarmes were present. On the short number of the New Forces, a source close to the New Forces reportedly quoted by L’inter (an independent daily) assured that “all the 4,000 elements to be provided by the New Forces will be present by the end of the deployment.” In an interview, the military spokesperson of the New Forces told the paper that barely a day after their deployment, the soldiers are facing accommodation problem.

3. Reacting on the same issue, Soir Info (an independent daily) noted that the deployment of the mixed security unit looks like “another symbolic event” that may end up with no concrete result. The paper further compared the deployment of troops to “La Flamme de la Paix”, a ceremony organized in July 2007 to celebrate the return of peace in Cote d’Ivoire, and the launching of the disarmament program that, it said, is yet to be completed. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) expressed similar concerns and proposed some guidelines that could help guarantee the success of the deployment of the mixed security unit. For this operation to succeed, the paper called for the support from Ivorians but also from the international community. 

3. Fraternite Matin reported that some 500 former New Forces’ fighters received training in Bouake as part a civic education program. Designed by the government in connection with the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire, the program is aimed at providing jobs to the former combatants. In a related development, the paper said the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) is to provide more funds to support its micro-projects initiative. Speaking at a ceremony UNOCI’s spokesperson said the mission will provide an additional fund of six million dollars, as the four million dollars that were disbursed earlier for the program were properly used. The micro-projects initiative is designed for former combatants, militia groups and war-affected young people.

4. “Women want to take power,” said a prominent story in Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition). According to the paper, Ivorian women meeting Wednesday in Abidjan made the pledge during a conference on the role of women in the peace process. As Cote d’Ivoire is preparing for general elections, women want to retake 50 per cent of vote during the coming local elections, the report said. They also used the occasion to advise politicians to stop calling women “electoral population,” as they represent 50 per cent of Cote d’Ivoire’s total population.

5. A few days after Jean Paul Ney, a French journalist jailed in Cote d’Ivoire in 2008 for “plotting against the authority of the state”, was set free on bail, L’inter carried a prominent story wondering about what was paid in return. The paper speculated that the journalist was released following a win-win arrangement between President Gbagbo and his French counterpart, Nicolas Sarkozy. [NOTE: The freelance photo-journalist was jailed in January 2008 in Abidjan along with another French national and eight West Africans after being charged with an “attack” and “plotting against the authority of the state.”]

6. On health issue, L’inter briefly reported on PEPFAR-sponsored workshop on psychological care for persons living with HIV/AIDS. Organized by the National Institute of Social Training, the conference was to find solutions to problems relating to the psychological care for persons living with living with the disease.

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

A center for English Teaching/Learning via Digital Video Conference was inaugurated on April 30 in Abidjan, said a story in L’inter. The report said that the program was launched following an agreement signed between the American Cultural Center and Teachers Training School in Abidjan. Speaking at the ceremony, U.S. Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire Wanda L. Nesbitt saluted the good cooperation between U.S. and Cote d’Ivoire. The Minister of Education, Gilbert Bleu Laine welcomed the collaboration between the American Cultural Center and the English Department of the Teachers Training School. The program will provide potential English teachers with techniques on how to teach English and will help improve the English language level in the country, the report said.         

May 7, 2009

The deployment of the first contingents of a special mixed force made up of government soldiers and former rebels and the visit of French Secretary of State in charge of Cooperation and Francophonie Alain Joyandet to Cote d’Ivoire again made headlines in today’s Ivorian press. The dailies also talked about a report published by the Ivorian Human Rights Movement (MIDH) on the situation of prisoners. On media issues, the state-owned daily published a story on the challenges facing journalists around the world.

1. “France won’t play the role of referee,” said a banner headline in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily). The paper attributed these words to French Secretary of State in charge of Cooperation and Francophonie Alain Joyandet who was speaking Wednesday after a meeting with Ivorian opposition leader Alassane Dramane Ouattara. “It is not the responsibility of France to arbitrate on the date of this election,” the paper quoted the French diplomat as saying on the controversy over the date of the long-delayed presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire. Reacting on the same issue, Mr. Ouattara reportedly demanded that the Ivorian Head of State to ensure that the elections are held before October 24, 2009. According to the paper, after meeting with Mr. Ouattara, the leader of the opposition RDR party, the French Secretary of State in charge of Cooperation and Francophonie met with Ivorian Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, as well as representatives of other political parties including the PDCI-RDA, MFA, UDPCI (all opposition parties) and the ruling FPI party.

2. In a related development, Fraternite Matin informed readers that the next meeting of the Permanent Framework for Consultation (CPC) – a committee overseeing the Ouagadougou Political Agreement – is due to be held on May 18, 2009 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso under the chairmanship of the facilitator in the Ivorian peace process, President Blaise Compaore. This was announced Wednesday by the representative of the facilitator in Cote d’Ivoire after a meeting with the Ivorian Prime Minister. The CPC is made up of President Gbagbo, President Compaore and the Prime Minister. Other members are: Mr. Alassane Dramane Ouattara and Henri Konan Bedie, respectively leaders of the opposition RDR and PDCI-RDA parties. The paper was not able to elaborate on the agenda of this meeting.

3. On the deployment of contingents of a special mixed force made up of government soldiers and former rebels, a story in Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said that a contingent of one hundred soldiers of the New Forces arrived yesterday in Yamoussoukro, the Ivorian political capital. The report said Ivorian Defense Minister Michel Amani N’Guessan saluted the “marriage” between the pro-government Defence and Security forces (FDS) and the New Forces Armed Forces. The report further said that the New Forces’ contingent will join that of the FDS as part of the deployment of some 8,000 men in a special mixed force tasked to ensure security throughout the country. Reporting on the same issue, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) quoted the New Forces’ spokesperson as saying that the deployment of the joint military unit marks the beginning of the creation of Cote d’Ivoire’s new army.

4. On Human Rights issues, a report in Fraternite Matin said that the Ivorian Human Rights Movement (MIDH) denounced overcrowding in Ivorian prisons in a report published by the civic group. According to the paper, the report was the result of a survey conducted between July 2008 and March 2009 on the living conditions of the inmates. The investigation was conducted in 17 prisons across the country with the support of the National Endowment for Democracy [a private, congressionally supported U.S. organization created in 1983 to strengthen democratic institutions around the world through nongovernmental efforts]. The report says that MACA, a prison in Abidjan that was constructed for about 1,500 prisoners, is now home to more than 5,000 inmates. Reporting on the same issue, L’intelligent d’Abidjan (a privately-owned daily) quoted the report as saying that conditions in Ivorian prisons do not conform to international standards.  

5. In a related development, a prominent story in L’inter (an independent daily) announced that Jean Paul Ney [a French journalist jailed in Cote d’Ivoire in 2008 for “plotting against the authority of the state”] was freed yesterday. The journalist was incarcerated in MACA following his arrest in Abidjan in 2008.

6. On media-related issues, Fraternite Matin carried a story saying that an increasing number of journalists around the world is subject to danger. The paper wrote the story drawing on material distributed by the public affairs section of the U.S. Embassy in connection with the celebration of World Press Freedom Day. The information, culled from www.america.gov, highlighted the number of journalists being imprisoned or killed and how more online journalists are being jailed by autocratic governments.  

May 6, 2009

The deployment of the first contingents of some 8,000 men in a special mixed force made up of government soldiers and former rebels was the major issue in today’s Ivorian press. The state-owned daily said that a meeting Tuesday between President Laurent Gbagbo and French Secretary of State in charge of Cooperation and Francophonie Alain Joyandet signals a new chapter in France-Cote d’Ivoire relations. Reports also said that a French journalist jailed in Cote d’Ivoire in 2008 for “plotting against the authority of the state” could be released on bail Wednesday. The case of another French-Canadian journalist who disappeared in Cote d’Ivoire in April 2004 was also a subject of a front-page story. Economic issues including World Bank assistance to Cote d’Ivoire and the drop in cocoa production were the other major issues in the dailies.

1. A prominent story in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said that peace has now returned to Cote d’Ivoire. The paper was quoting the Ivorian Defense Minister Michel Amani N’Guessan who was addressing a contingent of pro-government Defence and Security forces (FDS) shortly before it left Abidjan Tuesday for Bouake – former stronghold of the New Forces. The report said that this first contingent of one hundred men made up of police officers and gendarmes will be deployed in the central, western and northern regions of Cote d’Ivoire, formerly under the control of the New Forces. The deployment, the paper quoted the minister as saying, signaled “a major step forward” in the peace process. [Under the terms of the Complementary Ouagadougou Political Agreement signed in December 2008, pro-government Defence and Security forces (FDS) and the armed wing of the former rebels of the New Forces will both supply 4,000 troops to the Integrated Command Centre (CCI), a mixed force tasked to ensure security during the electoral process in Cote d’Ivoire].

2. Still on the deployment of the special mixed force, Fraternite Matin published a statement issued by the New Forces announcing that the first batch of New Forces Armed Forces is expected in Abidjan May 6, 2009. The statement further said that other contingents of New Forces will be progressively deployed in other parts of the country alongside the pro-government Defence and Security forces (FDS). It also said that the New Forces reaffirm their full involvement in the peace process.

3. The deployment of the first contingent of the Integrated Command Centre was also a subject of a front-page story in L’inter (a privately-owned daily). The paper quoted Cote d’Ivoire’s Army Chief of Staff General Philippe Mangou, who advised elements of the pro-government contingent to avoid any provocation as they are deployed in the New Forces’ former territories. A day after the beginning of the deployment, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) quoted New Forces’ spokesperson Alain Lobognon as  saying that a total of one hundred New Forces are expected in Abidjan today. On the fate of the Com-Zones [New Forces military commanders], Mr. Lobognon said: “They [Com-Zones] still remain in the process since the New Forces Armed Forces must train the 5,000 soldiers [from the New Forces] that will join the new army [Cote d’Ivoire national army].”

4. In another development, L’inter reported on a meeting Tuesday between the Director of the Carter Center in Cote d’Ivoire, David Pottie, and Boureima Badini, the Representative of the facilitator in the Ivorian peace process. The discussion focused on the Ivorian peace process and the next report to be published by the Carter Center on the political situation in Cote d’Ivoire.

5. On bilateral issues, a prominent story in Fraternite Matin said a meeting Tuesday between French Secretary of State in charge of Cooperation and Francophonie Alain Joyandet and President Gbagbo paved the way for a new chapter in France-Cote d’Ivoire relations. “I’m here to reaffirm France’s commitment to see the achievement of the electoral process. It’s also a strong signal to President Gbagbo that France is ready to resume cooperation with Cote d’Ivoire once the elections are conducted,” the paper quoted the French Minister as saying. The report further said that the case of Jean Paul Ney [a French journalist jailed in Cote d’Ivoire in 2008 for “plotting against the authority of the state”] was high on the agenda during the meeting between Gbagbo and Joyandet. On this issue, the French minister reportedly said: “I’m in the position to tell you that, in principle, he should be released on bail tomorrow [today].”

6. The case of another French-Canadian journalist who disappeared in Cote d’Ivoire in April 2004 was also the subject of a front-page story in Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party). Referring to what it called secret documents on the plot, the paper speculated on how France was involved in the disappearance of Guy-Andre Kieffer.

7. On economic issues, Fraternite Matin reported that the World Bank has provided 71.8 billion F CFA (about $147 million) to Cote d’Ivoire to support this country as part of efforts to pay its domestic debt. This was announced Tuesday by an official from the Ministry of Economy and Finance. On other economic issues, a report in Notre Heure (a daily close to the opposition) said that cocoa production in Cote d’Ivoire has dropped by about 15 per cent this year as a result of lack of investment. The report further said that in a bid to boost production, stakeholders have set up a center on cocoa research and development whose role is to improve the quality of cocoa and other local products including coffee and cassava.   

May 5, 2009

Ivorian press today announced the beginning of the deployment of some 8,000 men in a special mixed force made up of government soldiers and former rebels. The visit of French Secretary of State in charge of Cooperation and Francophonie Alain Joyandet; the celebration of the World Press Freedom Day; and the U.S. government’s donation of medical equipment to diagnose respiratory diseases in Cote d'Ivoire were other major news items.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A banner headline in this paper announced that the deployment of 8,000 men in a special mixed force begins today. According to the paper the announcement was made Monday in Abidjan by Cote d’Ivoire’s Army Chief of Staff General Philippe Mangou. General Mangou told reporters that he will send as from May 5^th 2009 2,000 gendarmes and 2,000 police officers to the central, northern and western regions – formerly under the control of the New Forces – after a meeting with senior government military officers, the report said. “The gendarmes and the police officers will be stationed in the central, northern and western regions in conformity with the Complementary Ouagadougou Political Agreement signed in December 2008… This morning [May 4^th, 2009] I’ve had a telephonic conversation with General Bakayoko [Commander of the New Forces Armed Forces], and we’ve agreed on the deployment of our forces,” the paper quoted General Mangou as saying.

2. The deployment of pro-government forces and the armed wing of the former rebels of the New Forces to supply 4,000 troops each to the Integrated Command Centre (CCI) was also a major story in other newspapers. A story in Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) quoted General Bakayoko as saying that all the Com-Zones [New Forces military commanders] have taken note of the deployment of 8,000 men of the New Forces Armed Forces and pro-government Defence and Security forces (FDS). “The Com-Zones are leaving today,” said a prominent story in Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party); “The FDS en route for Bouake,” wrote the pro-opposition daily, Nord-Sud Quotidien; “The Com-Zones to be stopped soon,” said a front-page story in L’intelligent d’Abidjan (a privately-owned daily). In a commentary, Soir Info (an independent daily) noted that the deployment of the 8,000 men marks a turning point in the Ivorian peace process. The paper hopes that this deployment will enable prefects [government appointees] to recover their full powers. 

3. On other military issues, L’inter (an independent daily) speculated on the return home of ex-Ivorian Chief of Staff General Mathias Doue who went into exile. The paper however quoted an associate of General Doue in Abidjan who reportedly said: “I’m not aware of his return.”

4. On bilateral issues, a report in Fraternite Matin said President Laurent Gbagbo and Alain Joyandet, the French Secretary of State in charge of Cooperation and Francophonie, are due to meet today in Cote d’Ivoire’s political capital Yamoussoukro to buttress France-Cote d’Ivoire relations. The paper was also optimistic that the two countries would resume full cooperation after the coming presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire. According to the paper, the French diplomat is in Cote d’Ivoire to encourage the country’s political stakeholders to do what is needed to attain this objective.

5. As journalists and media organizations in Cote d’Ivoire celebrate World Press Freedom Day, a report in Soir Info said that Ivorian media and legal practitioners disagree on whether press offenses should be criminalized and pretrial detention of journalists allowed something that would require a change in the current laws.  Another report in Fraternite Matin said both media watchdogs and civic groups used the occasion to call for more responsibility on the part of Ivorian journalists.      

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

Nord-Sud Quotidien today reported on the U.S. government’s donation of medical equipment to Cote d'Ivoire at Institut Pasteur – a medical research center in Abidjan on April 29. The report quoted a representative of the Ivorian Ministry of Research who expressed gratitude to the government of United States. The official further highlighted the good relations between Cote d’Ivoire and the United States.