November 20, 2009

Reports on the electoral process continued to be the major highlights in the Ivorian press today. Most dailies reported on President Gbagbo’s final address in the northern Worodougou region and a debt relief package granted by Italy to support the Ivorian government’s economic recovery policy. Other reports dealt with a meeting between Ghanaian and Ivorian officials on border delimitation and a forthcoming cultural festival to promote Ivorian diversity in New York.

1. While the new date for the presidential election has not been decided yet, the Independent Election Commission (CEI) is making efforts for the release of the provisional voter list in the coming days. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) noted that the publication could start on Sunday, November 22. The decision, the paper added, is due to be considered today, following the meeting between the chairman of the commission and representatives of the political parties. “The actual posting of the paper format of the voter register list in the 10,818 national sites and the 23 foreign locations is contingent upon the material support of the United Nations Development Program,” the daily quoted Mr. Bamba Yacouba, the spokesperson of the commission, as saying.

In a related development, the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) yesterday held its weekly press conference. On the occasion, Le Mandat (a daily close to the opposition) reported that UNOCI’s spokesman, Mr. Hamadoun Touré deplored the delay in the posting of the list, which is due to technical, logistical and management difficulties. “UNOCI is concerned about this situation and hopes that the much-awaited posting of the list will be organized as soon as possible,” he said. He recommitted UNOCI to support the Ivorian Government

2. President Gbagbo ended yesterday a four-day state visit to the northern Worodougou region. In prominently placed reports, Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) noted that the Ivorian leader called on the local population to uphold the principles of democracy and peace.”The political agreement of Ouagadougou opened the door for peace, and soon fair elections will be organized,” the paper reported the President as saying. Urgent measures, such as the building of hospitals and roads to help rehabilitate the war-torn city of Seguela have been taken, the paper added.

3. On the economy, L’inter (an independent daily) informed readers that Italy granted the Ivorian government 28.1-billion CFA Francs (approximately USD 62 million) in debt relief. The purpose, the paper underscored, is to support the Ivorian Government in its efforts to revitalize the economy. Italian Ambassador Jean Carlo Izzo noted that this action initiates more cooperation between the two nations.

4. A delegation of Ivorian and Ghanaian officials gathered yesterday in Abidjan to discuss the issue of border delimitation between the two neighboring countries. The information was reported by Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party,) which noted that the Ivorian Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Desire Tagro, and his Ghanian counterpart in charge of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Alhadji Moumouni, agreed on the necessity of addressing this sensitive issue in a peaceful atmosphere. The two western Africa states share a border of some 668 kilometers (415 miles).

5. Finally, on December 12, 2009, Cote d’Ivoire will be participating in a cultural festival to promote its diversity in New York. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) noted that, on the initiative of African Community Leadership, a cultural organization locally managed by Ivorian female vocalist Chantal Taiba, the one-week program aims promoting Cote d’Ivoire’s cultural, socio-economical and culinary riches in the United States.