November 30, 2007

1. Reports on President Laurent Gbagbo’s visit in the North of Cote d’Ivoire, the upcoming elections, and the supplementary Ouagadougou Agreement are today’s key topics in the Ivoirian press.

2. In Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily), a front-page headline reads: “Mobilization and dismantling of militias groups on December 22, 2007 at the latest; back pay of New Forces soldiers, Gbagbo and Soro signed yesterday in Korhogo the supplementary Ouagadougou Agreement.” According to the paper, the envoy of the Ouagadougou Agreement facilitator was received yesterday by President Gbagbo and his Prime Minister Soro. The paper says the envoy brought with him the supplementary agreement that was signed later by Gbagbo and Soro.

The paper also reports that in that Accord, it has been decided by the two parties to begin the mobilization of ex-combatants as well as start their recruitment into the Civil service beginning December 22, 2007. According to the paper, in order to facilitate the demobilization and reinsertion process, the two parties have agreed to pay monthly basic allowances to ex-combatants until their reinsertion or their integration in the new security and defense forces or in the civil life is completed.

3. In Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition), a front-page says: Identification, demobilization and reinsertion, elections, civic service are contained in the documents of the Ouagadougou Accord that were signed by Gbagbo and Soro yesterday. According to the paper, the demobilization of ex-combatants will re-start on December 22. However, the question about the New Forces members’ grades is yet to be resolved.

The paper also reports that in order to give full impact to the terms and conditions included in the agreement, the two parties have decided to launch the operation of the reconstitution of lost or destroyed registrations of births before the end of December 2007. This operation will be done concomitantly with the identification public hearings.

4. In 24 Heures (a daily close to the opposition), a front-page headline says: “Five years back pay and integration into the army, the war lords triumph in Ouaga.” According to the paper, this time, the war lords are in honor. The statement of the Ouagadougou Agreement read yesterday in Korhogo shows the extent of tasks and the triumph of former soldiers of Cote d’Ivoire National Army. The former soldiers will be integrated in the new army with a good bonus. The State of Cote d’Ivoire will pay back the salaries of those former soldiers who became members of the New Forces.

Additionally, the paper says as for the youth of RHDP (the opposition coalition) the real peace is the one that comes from ballot boxes. According to the paper, the president of the former PDCI ruling party who was talking yesterday at a meeting about Gbagbo’s visit in the North, reminded the two signatories of the Ouagadougou Agreement that the real peace that will deliver Ivoirians is the one that comes from ballot boxes through fair and transparent elections.

5. In Le Patriote (a daily close to RDR), a front-page story says: “Ouaga sets dates at long last. August 7, 2008, Cote d’Ivoire independence day will be celebrated by the new elected president”. The paper says it is the end of suspense for those who doubted of the sincerity of the Ouagadougou Agreement signatories to organize elections in reseanable deadlines. According to the paper, the Burkinabe Foreign Minister arrived yesterday in Korhogo to get the supplementary agreement signed by President Gbagbo and his Prime Minister Soro. In an interview he is quoted as saying: “We will make sure that the new deadlines are respected.”

6. In L’Inter (an independent daily), a front-page story says: “Peace Process, the supplementary Ouagadougou Agreements signed yesterday in Korhogo; the military will go back to their barracks as of December 22, 2007; the war lords will return in the army”.  According to the paper the supplementary agreement says the two ex-belligerents decided that the demobilization of ex-combatants, the storage of arms and the dismantling of militias will start on December 22 under the supervision of the Integrated Center of Command (CCI) and the impartial forces. The paper also says that to make the ex-combatants’ demobilization operational, the two parties decided to start the recruitment for civil service on December 22, as well.

7. In Soir Info (an independent daily), a front-page headline says: “In visit in the North, Gbagbo put Boundiali under his feet; jujus, machetes and knives seized.” According to the paper, Boundiali was the second step of Gbagbo’s visit in the North. As he did in Ferkéssegoudou, Gbagbo promised several things to the population of Boundiali, these include reconstruction of their roads and a dam to resolve their water problem. He also invited the population to follow him and Soro in their path for peace.

The paper also reports that the new Representative of the U.N. Secretary General met yesterday President Compaore to talk about the peace process. He said that the U.N. supports the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire because now the country is entering in the difficult and critical phase for the success of the process. He is quoted as saying: “Some progress has been made but a lot of work still remains to have a real peace on the field. It should therefore be done methodically by consolidating each privilege that we have now.”

8. In Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI), a front-page story says: “Visit of the Head of State in the Great North, Boundiali cries its misery, Gbagbo reassures”. According to the paper, Boundiali was the second town in Gbagbo’s visit to the savannah region. In the first town, he announced several development projects to provide relief to the victims of war. In Boundiali he introduced the three sub-prefects.

9. In Dialogue (an independent daily), a front-page headline says: “Turnaround/general consultations of June 2008, Gbagbo suspect will to finance the elections; why now; where did he get the money, while he was begging the U.N. to help him.” According to the paper, facing the tough conditions from financial donors, the State of Cote d’Ivoire has decided to finance the general elections. The paper continues to say that this sudden change in position at the topmost level of government leaves room for speculations about secret government intentions. Hence, this should arouse the vigilance in the opposition and the international community.

November 29, 2007

1. Reports on President Laurent Gbagbo’s visit in the North of Cote d’Ivoire and the upcoming elections remain the key topics in the Ivoirian press. While most papers have positive reports, a few papers are sceptical. Below are summaries of reports on this visit.
 
2. In Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) a front-page headline reads: Strong message for peace: The President pays a visit to Soro and Ouattara families. During his visit yesterday in Ferkessédougou, Soro’s native town, President Gbagbo is quoted as saying: “This trip in the North is an act of State not a symbol. I have come to tell the population that the war is really finished even though there are still some frictions because one cannot come out of a crisis like from a dinner.”

According to the same report, Prime Minister Soro said: “This visit is not an electoral campaign. It is above any consideration of power and political quarrels. This visit is to re-establish the integrity of the territory, to preserve the State. Without that State none of political life is possible”.

3. In L’Intelligent d’Abidjan (a privately-owned daily), a front-page story in the paper says: “Peace process yesterday in Ferkéssédougou: Gbagbo and Soro told one another the truth. According to the paper, Soro told Gbagbo: “It is your duty to implement the Ouagadougou Agreement in a strict way” and in response Gbagbo told Soro the following, “My trip here is not a symbol, I am here to work.”

The paper also reports that when the governmental security forces enter in Korhogo, they were given a standing ovation by the population which welcomed them for their return in the northern region.

4. In Soir Info (an independent daily), a front-page story quoted Soro as saying: “It is not an electoral visit.” According to paper, Soro told President Gbagbo to examine the population which was hostile yesterday and which is jubilant today to welcome him. This marks a turning point in the change of mentalities and spirit in the whole country”.

The paper also quoted Gbagbo as saying: “I came to bring you the good news. Friends of Ferkessédougou, I am repeating that here and tomorrow in Tengrela and Boundiali, the war is over”.

On another subject, the paper reports that the new Representative of the UN Secretary General paid yesterady a visit to the President of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI). When asked by journalists what he thinks of the deadline fixed by Ouagadougou Agreement signatories, he answered as quoted: “I don’t know the exact content of the supplementary agreement and I think it is too early to say something about that.”

5. In L’Inter (an independent daily), a front-page story says: “Elections in June 2008, a difficult bet for Gbagbo and Soro”. According to the paper, Gbagbo and Soro, the two main protagonists of the crisis and signatories of the Ouagadougou Accord have fixed June 2008 as elections date in the supplementary agreement signed two days ago in the Burkinabe capital. It is desirable that the former opponents succeed to take up the challenge but in practice, things are not easy for them.

6. In Le Temps (a daily close to Gbagbo), a front-page story says: “State Visit: the reunification materializes; Gbagbo gets back the savannah region; Soro puts the Niarafolo population in Gbagbo’s care; Tagbana and Senoufo cry of joy”. According to the paper, the jubilation to see President Gbagbo was indescribable. Some people told the security forces not to ill-treat them, but to let them see their President after five years. Others were crying and saying that they did not believe that Gbagbo will come to Korhogo. Now they know that the war is really over and they thank the Lord to have permitted that. 

7. In Le Matin d’Abidjan (a daily close to Gbagbo, a front-page headline says: “Gbagbo puts the Senoufo people under his feet. Popular jubilation for Gbagbo in Korhogo and Ferkessédougou.” According to the paper, the arrival of Gbagbo and Soro in Ferké triggered vivacious hysteria among the population. Though security was heavy, some of them wanted to touch Gbagbo, who they have not seen since five years.

The paper also reports that in the afternoon, Gbagbo went to pay a visit to Alassane Ouattara’s big brother.  Ouattara’s little brother, Ibrahim Ouattara is quoted as saying: “In anything, brotherhood must prevail. My bother and the President have known each other for a long period. They are friends”. According to the paper, the President’s response was that his visit to the Ouattara’s home is to reconcile everybody around the Ouagadougou Agreement.

8.  In Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition), a front-page headline says: “State visit in the Senoufou country, the kiss of Gbagbo to the Great North”. According to the paper, yesterday visit in Ferkessédougou was the first step of Gbagbo’s trip in the North and Gbagbo was quoted as saying: “Here we are in Ferkessédougou. It is not a dream but a reality. Some people talk but we must tell them that we did good a job when we signed the Ouagadougou Agreement. Today there is no other choice than to reconstitute the country. The war is over. We must move forward.” Meanwhile, Soro said: “Ivorians are tired of our divisions.”

9. In a front-page story, 24 Heures (a daily close to the opposition) says: “Gbagbo takes possession of the North. It is an act of power.”

10. In Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition), a front-page headline says: “Ferké, first step of the Head of State’s visit; Gbagbo speaks, trembles and contradicts himself.” According to the paper, instead of reading the speech written for him, Gbagbo as usual put aside his speech and decided to talk directly to the population. The paper says that in his speech, the President delivered contradictions – sometimes, he says that his visit is not a stroll but that he is at work; sometimes he says that it is an act of power and that the President must go everywhere in the country; and at some point he says that his visit is a symbolic act.

November 28, 2007

1. Reports on President Laurent Gbagbo and his Prime Minister Guillaume Soro meeting with Blaise Compaoré the Peace Process facilitator in Ouagadougou; the upcoming elections; and the visit of the Head of State in Northern Cote d’Ivoire are the main topics in today’s Ivoirian press.
 
2. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): According to the paper, President Gbagbo and his Prime Minister Soro signed yesterday an agreement setting the presidential elections date to June 2008; other members of the delegation involved in negotiating the supplementary agreements will sign them this morning. The paper says that with the signing of these agreements, tension over the dates of the elections will be lowered.

Regarding President Gbagbo’s trip to the north, the paper reports that 4,500 troops which include Governement security forces, New Forces, Licorne and U.N. operations in Cote d’Ivoire have been deployed to the north to secure the region.

 3. In somewhat different report from that of Fraternité Matin, 24 Heures (a daily close to the opposition) reports that President Gbagbo and his Prime Minister left Ouagadougou without signing the supplementary agreements because they did not resolve difficulties during their talks. However, the paper said, dates of disarmament and elections have been set.

4. In L’Intelligent d’Abidjan (a privately-owned daily) a front-page story in the paper says – “Manoeuver for a six year transition without dates: Presidents Compaoré and Gbagbo break Soro’s dream.” The paper reports that the supplementary agreements of Ouagadougou have ended Soro’s dream to stay for ever in the office of Prime Minister. The paper also reports that Gbagbo and Soro have agreed to keep SAGEM as the technical operator charged with the establishment of new Ivoirian identity cards and voting cards. Thus, neither the presidential camp nor the New Forces will have control of the system.

5. In Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition), Fofié Kouakou Martin the war lord in charge of Korhogo zone is quoted as saying, “The visit of President Gbagbo to the North is the symbol of the reunification of Cote d’Ivoire. The population is waiting for Gbagbo to come to officially announce them that the war has really ended.”

The paper also reports that at the Ouagadougou meeting yesterday, President Gbagbo and his Prime Minister agreed to hold elections in June 2008. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Burkina stated that the exact elections dates will be fixed by the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) once it receives the timetables of the technical operator in charge of the electoral census.

6. In Nord-Sud Quotien (a daily close to the opposition RDR) a front-page headline says: “Blocage of the peace process, Gbagbo and Soro Guillaume defused the bomb”. The paper reports that after the collapse of last week’s meeting in Ouagadougou, President Gbagbo has decided to take into his hands the talks on the supplementary agreements. The paper further reports that at the end of the talks, and in the absence of a final statement, Djibril Bassolé, the Burkinabe Foreign Minister explained to journalists that the discussions were on the practical aspects that will permit to accelerate the peace process and enter into the phase of the preparation of elections.

7. In Le Rebond (a daily close to PDCI-RDA party), a front-page story talks about the real reasons of the travel of Gbagbo and Soro to Ouagadoudou. In the report the paper says “The ex-belligerents in Ouagadougou are in dissent -  Gbagbo and Soro have gone to their rescue to reconcile different views on the identification process.” The paper also said that the other reason for Gbagbo’s travel is to discuss the case of Antoine Bohoun Bouabré as the future governor of the West Africa States Central Bank (BCEAO) in replacement of Charles Konan Banny.

On Gbagbo’s visit to the North, the paper also reports that the choice of President Gbagbo to visit four towns in the north (Korhogo, Ferkéssédougou, Boundiali and Tengrela) is not fortuitous. According to the paper, these towns are “the native towns of his henchmen who will help him re-conquer the sympathy of the population.”

8. In Le Matin d’Abidjan (a daily close to ruling FPI party) a front-page story says “Gbagbo and Soro lift the blockages in Ouagadougou; the President at the re-conquest of the 322,462 km2”. According to the paper, Gbagbo and Soro did not sign the final document because of the delay in the dispelling of divergences marked by the clash provoked by the Minister of Interior, chief of the presidential camp delegation at a meeting last week.
 
As for Gbagbo’s visit to the North, the paper said the population claims that this visit is proof that Ivorians want peace; and for President Gbagbo, his visit in the North is the result of a process which aims at recovering all the dimension of his power.

November 27, 2007

1. News reports in today’s Ivoirian press say President Laurent Gbagbo and his Prime Minister Guillaume Soro are due to travel to Ouagadougou to meet President Blaise Compaore – facilitator in the Ivoirian peace process -- in an attempt to unravel the stalemate that occurred during the last meeting of the committee overseeing the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement.

2. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): According to the paper, President Gbagbo and his Prime Minister Soro are expected today in the Burkinabe capital to meet President Compaore in order to evaluate, redefine priorities, and accelerate the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire, in accordance with the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. Citing well informed sources, the paper indicates that Gbagbo and Soro would "sign two supplement agreements during their meeting in Ouagadougou."

3. The first agreement, hints Fraternite Matin, would resolve the sticky issue regarding "the choice" of a technical operator charged with the establishment of new Ivoirian identity cards and voting cards that would be used during the upcoming presidential elections. The second agreement, explains the paper, would focus on new calendar that would seek to accomplish the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement through the organization of the presidential election before October 2008.

4. President Gbagbo, speaking to supporters over the weekend, is quoted by Fraternite Matin as saying, "I’m really looking forward to going to elections." In a related development, the new boss of the United Nations Operations in Cote d’Ivoire, Y.J Choi told the paper that: "I’m here [Cote d’Ivoire] to take up the challenge." According to Fraternite Matin, the UN Secretary General’s representative in Cote d’Ivoire was speaking yesterday in Abidjan during a meeting with foreign ambassadors, political leaders, and heads of international organizations. "My mandate is to serve the Ivoirian people… My mission is to help Ivoirians reconcile with peace and prosperity," Y.J Choi is reported as saying.

5. As President Gbagbo and his Premier are set for a new round of negotiations today in Ouagadougou, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) announces that the upcoming presidential election in Cote d’Ivoire would be held in "June 2008." The paper also tells readers that, "The French group SAGEM has been confirmed as the technical operator, which will make the Ivorian national identity cards as well as the voters’ cards ahead of the next elections." "These would be the major decisions in the supplement agreement that Gbagbo and Soro would sign in the Burkinabe capital," indicates the paper.

6. Le Rebond (a daily close to PDCI-RDA party): The paper carries a front-page story explaining that, "By refusing to sign the supplement agreement in Ouagadougou last week, the New Forces thwarted an electoral hold-up designed to be executed by the ruling FPI party." The paper is optimistic that the supplement agreement termed "Ouaga II" would be signed today.

7. In a separate development, L’inter (a privately-owned daily) announces that the IMF will financially support the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire at the tune of "31 billion Francs CFA." This money, which will be disbursed in 2008, represents the second part of IMF’s contributions to back the peace process.

8. A front-page story in L’inter says, "530 gendarmes refuse to go to Korhogo to ensure the security of President Gbagbo during his visit to the north." According to the paper "the disgruntled gendarmes claim that the allowances that they will be receiving during the visit of Gbagbo are not consistent."

November 26, 2007

1. Today’s Ivoirian press is concerned about the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire after the 4th meeting of the committee overseeing the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement slid into difficulties. President Laurent Gbagbo’s state visit to the north of Cote d’Ivoire is also a top story in the papers.

2. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A banner headline that runs across the paper says that President Laurent Gbagbo and his Prime Minister Guillaume Soro have been called to the rescue after the 4th meeting of the committee overseeing the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, which took place last week in Ouagadougou, ran into difficulties over "the identification issue".

3. Citing reliable sources, Fraternite Matin announces that Gbagbo and Soro are expected in the Burkinabe capital on Tuesday [tomorrow] to meet President Blaise Compaore – facilitator in the Ivoirian peace process -- in a bid "to iron out differences" that occurred during last week’s meeting. At a time when the Ouagadougou Political Agreement has reached "a turning point," Fraternite Matin is optimistic that Gbagbo and Soro would be able to resolve "the deadlock."

4. In a related development, Fraternite Matin tells readers that the Ivorian Minister of Economy and Finance, Charles Diby Koffi, and Amadou Kone, Minister of African Integration, traveled on Saturday to Ouagadougou, where they met with President Compaore on the progress of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement and also on ways to finance the peace process. The two ministers, who were carrying a message from President Gbagbo to his Burkinabe counterpart, "reassured the facilitator on the Ivoirian authorities’ willingness to accomplish the peace process," reports the paper.

5. According to the paper, the Ivorian Minister of Economy and Finance also reassured Compaore of the Ivorian authorities’ preparedness "to find ways to finance the peace process in case the international community fails to live up to its promises." The Ouagadougou Political Agreement, indicates the paper, is hitting against "the thorny issue of financing, especially the part to be paid by the government of Cote d’Ivoire, which the Prime Minister estimated at 89 billion Francs CFA."

6. A front-page story in Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA), says that the 4th meeting of the committee overseeing the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement is due to resume today in Ouagadougou. According to the paper, last week’s meeting in Ouagadougou "collapsed" following a bill drafted by the Minister of Interior enabling the National Statistics Institute (INS) to play a leading role in the reconstruction of voters’ register.

7. A front-page story in Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) says that "4,000 security and defense forces will be deployed in northern Cote d’Ivoire to ensure security during President Gbagbo’s visit in the region." The paper then questions the sense of "this huge military deployment," wondering whether Gbagbo was preparing "a war."

8. Meanwhile, Fraternite Matin carries a two-page report saying that the populations in the north of Cote d’Ivoire are ready to welcome Gbagbo. Charles Ble Goude, leader of the Young Patriots (a movement close to Gbagbo), who is also involved in the preparations for the presidential visit, is quoted as saying, "No Ivorian has the right to frustrate the Ouagadougou Political Agreement."

9. Le Matin d’Abidjan (a daily close to Gbagbo) carries a banner headline reading: "Alassane Dramane Ouattara is waging a campaign designed to boycott Gbagbo’s visit to the north."

10. As the Ivoirian President is set to travel to the northern part of the country – his first visit since the beginning of the political crisis in Cote d’Ivoire --, L’inter (a privately-owned daily) hints that "a coup is being prepared."

November 21, 2007

1. Reports in today’s Ivoirian press say that President Laurent Gbagbo’s state visit to the north of Cote d’Ivoire has been deferred. Newspapers also announce the arrival in Abidjan yesterday of the new special representative of the UN Secretary General South Korean Choi Young-jin. A row opposing the National Institute for Statistics and the Ivoirian opposition groups over the electoral roll to be used during the upcoming general elections in Cote d’Ivoire is also a subject of controversy in many dailies.

2. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) carries a banner headline saying, "President Gbagbo’s state visit to the north has been deferred to 28 November." The paper publishes a communique released yesterday by the Cabinet of Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, announcing the delay of the presidential maiden visit to the north. The state visit was originally slated for November 26-28.

3. Except of the statement says: "Prime Minister Guillaume Kigbafori Soro has the honor to announce to the people and the elected traditional leaders of the Savannah region that the proposed state visit of the president to the department of Korhogo will now definitely take place as from the 28-30 November 2007." "The prime minister as the Chairman of the National Organizing Committee is asking all the various members of the Commission as well as all the people to put everything together to ensure a hitch-free visit," says the communique.

4. Regarding the motives behind the delay, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) quotes sources close to the Cabinet of the Prime Minister as saying, "The premier, who is currently in Ouagadougou as part of the 4th meeting of the committee overseeing the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, has estimated that preparations for the presidential visit may not be completed before date. He [Soro] has therefore decided a two-day delay of the visit to enable him to have prior consultations with people on the ground."

5. In a related development, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) tells readers that the visit of Gbagbo to the north constitutes a strong signal, as the country is engaged in a peace process. Against this background, comments the paper, there is no reason to do things "hastily". Aware of the situation on the ground, continues the paper, the Prime Minister and his government have sent a fact-finding mission to the region in order to assess the situation on the ground. In addition to the bad state of government infrastructures in the region -- especially roads that need to be patched up --, explains the paper, the security issue has to be well tackled, because the president’s visit to the north could pave the way for the full deployment of security and defense forces in the region.

6. Another banner headline in Fraternite Matin says, "The Director of the National Institute for Statistics rejected accusations of fiddling about with the electoral roll." According to the paper, the Director of National Institute for Statistics, Meleu Mathieu, was reacting yesterday to accusations leveled against the institution by certain political parties.

7. According to Fraternite Matin, the National Institute for Statistics was accused of "manipulating the electoral roll that was used during the 2000 general elections." The grievances, reports the paper, concern "the cancellation of certain constituencies and omission of a number of polling stations." But Fraternite Matin quotes Meleu Mathieu as saying, "The electoral roll that was transmitted to the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) suffered no manipulation. Neither polling stations nor voters have been cancelled."

6. Meanwhile, Anaky Kobena leader of Mouvement des Forces d’Avenir (MFA), an opposition party called for "the reestablishment of a new voters’ register upon completion of the identification program," reports Fraternite Matin. Kobena, reports the paper, was speaking yesterday at his party’s headquarters in Abidjan. The Ivoirian opposition leader also accused the ruling FPI party of President Gbagbo of trying "to control the elections by preventing supporters of the RHDP – an opposition alliance which his party belongs to – from voting during the coming polls." He also called upon leaders of the opposition to field a single candidate during the forthcoming presidential election.

7. "The United Nations Operation will stay in Cote d’Ivoire until peace returns to the country," 24 Heures (a daily close to the opposition) quotes the new special representative of the UN Secretary General South Korean Choi Young-jin as saying. According to the paper, the UN boss was speaking yesterday upon arrival in Abidjan to assume duty.

8. In a separate development, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) reports that the first group of Ivorian Muslims left Abidjan yesterday for Mecca to perform their 2007 pilgrimage.

November 20, 2007

1. Ivoirian press continues to report on the November 10-11 visit to Cote d’Ivoire of Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte. The meeting of the Assessment and Support Committee (CEA) -- a body whose role is to oversee the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement – is the other major issue in today’s papers.

2. 24 Heures (a daily close to the opposition): The paper publishes a news analysis on the November 10-11’s visit to Cote d’Ivoire of Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte. The item is culled from Jeune Afrique, French weekly, which in its November 18-24 edition tried to uncover "the motives" of the recent visit of Ambassador Negroponte to West Africa.

3. After summarizing the Deputy Secretary’s meetings in Cote d’Ivoire, the paper reported that the Deputy Secretary "left a message for his hosts: There is a need to quickly implement the Ouagadougou Political Agreement… Now is the time to make real progress on the critical issues of identification, elections planning, and disarmament."

4. According to 24 Heures, the Deputy Secretary of State was also using this visit "to identify those who are responsible for delaying the peace process." It quotes the Deputy Secretary as saying after a meeting in Ouagadougou with Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore, "Very soon, we’ll know who is blocking things in Cote d’Ivoire."

5. "Obviously," comments 24 Heures in the same article, the Deputy Secretary did not travel to Ouagadougou only to talk about Cote d’Ivoire. "He also discussed the second agenda of his tour, the most important one: The war against terrorism and the future of the ‘famous’ Africa Command (Africom)," comments the paper. It then suggests that the Deputy Secretary "is aware that his African hosts are very suspicious about this project…"

6. The second item in today’s local press regarding the visit to the West African region of Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte is a report in Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) on his address at the Community of Democracies Ministerial Forum held in Bamako, Mali on November 15-17. The paper carries a front-page headline reading, "The United States calls on the international community to support Gbagbo and his Prime Minister." Nord-Sud Quotidien quotes the Deputy Secretary as saying, "As part of our activities in support of democracy, we are mindful of the difficulties. There are no shortcuts. I’m coming from Cote d’Ivoire, where once warring factions have agreed to a road map, that, if implemented, will return their country to democracy."

7. Nord-Sud Quotidien also publishes the full text of a report commissioned by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire. According to the report, "Some progress has been made in the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement… However there is a need to step up efforts in order to hold the public identity hearings and establish a voters’ register at this critical and delicate stage of the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement." The document indicates that "The government of Prime Minister Guillaume Soro needs to be encouraged."

8. A banner headline that runs across Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) says the Ivoirian Prime Minister Guillaume Soro is expected in Ouagadougou today to take part in the 4th meeting of the committee overseeing the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. According to the paper, the meeting plans to adopt a new calendar, which is designed to accelerate the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire.

November 19, 2007

1. The controversy over the date of the upcoming elections in Cote d’Ivoire and President Laurent Gbagbo’s visit to the north of the country – the first one since the beginning of the political crisis in this West African country – are the major issues in today’s Ivoirian newspapers. Dailies also comment on the visit the European commissioner for development and humanitarian affairs Louis Michel to Cote d’Ivoire. Others announce that the Ivoirian Prime Minister Guillaume Soro is expected next Sunday in Ouagadougou, where he will be meeting President Blaise Compaore on the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire.

2. Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) quotes the Ivoirian opposition figure Alassane Dramane Ouattara as saying: "The elections are possible before October 2008." According to the paper, the leader of the RDR was speaking yesterday in Abidjan after a meeting with former Ivoirian Head of State, Henri Konan Bedie. Discussions between the two leaders focused on the audiences foraines (public identity hearings), identification process, and voters’ registration, reports the paper.

3. "Regarding the public identity hearings, we are concerned about the fact that since their launching more than five weeks ago, only 40,000 people have been able to obtain substitute birth certificates… There is a need to increase the number of the teams conducting the exercise, because only 30 teams are now functional out of the 111 recommended by the Ouagadougou Political Agreement," Le Patriote quotes Ouattara as saying. Ouattara, the paper continues, believes that "it’s urgent to organize free, transparent and democratic elections in Cote d’Ivoire in order to end the sufferings of Ivoirians."

4. On a visit to Cote d’Ivoire over the weekend, reports Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily), the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Affairs Louis Michel called on the European countries to provide funds to support the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire. After his meeting with President Gbagbo, Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, and the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) Robert Beugre Mambe, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Affairs said: "There is a real will to fully implement the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, even if at the operational stage there is some delay."

5. Speaking after a meeting with Gbagbo yesterday, Boureima Badini, the representative of President Blaise Compaore in Cote d’Ivoire, exhorted the international community, donors, and all partners of Cote d’Ivoire to help this country to come out of the crisis, reports Fraternite Matin. In a related development, the paper says that two emissaries of Gbagbo and Soro are currently in the Burkinabe capital "to evaluate" the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. "The emissaries, who arrived in Ouagadougou yesterday, have been working with Burkinabe negotiator Djibril Bassole on issues including the identification scheme," indicates the paper.

6. Soir Info (a privately-owned daily) publishes a statement from the Prime Minister’s cabinet announcing that Soro is expected in Ouagadougou next Sunday to participate in the meeting of the Assessment and Support Committee (CEA) [a body whose role is to oversee the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement]. "The purpose of this conclave is to enable the Prime Minister to talk to both sides that signed the Ouagadougou Political Agreement in order to sign a Supplementary Accord on the appointment of the technical operator charged with the conduct of the identification program," the paper quotes the statement as saying.

7. Still on the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, a front-page story in L’intelligent d’Abidjan (a privately-owned daily) suggests that "Gbagbo and Soro are no longer speaking with one voice." The disagreement between the two men, reports the paper, has to do with the controversy over the date of the upcoming elections in Cote d’Ivoire. "Hardliners in the presidential camp have noted a lack of real will on the part of Soro when it comes to election-related issues," writes the paper. It also comments: "At the Presidential Palace, it’s widely believed that Soro had a hidden agenda when he signed the Ouagadougou Political Agreement."

8. From November 26-28, 2007 President Gbagbo will be traveling to the north of Cote d’Ivoire, as part of an official visit, announces Fraternite Matin. The paper publishes a statement issued by Presidential Communication Office saying that "the Head of State will visit Korhogo, Ferkessedougou, Boundiali and Tengrela, where he will meet with traditional leaders."

9. L’inter (a privately-owned daily): A front-page story in the paper says that Ivoirian judges are concerned about their security. Speaking at a press conference, reports the paper, the President of the Ivoirian Bar Association, Justice Claude Mentenon, denounced "the acts of violence" that judges were subjected to a week ago and "corruption" in the Ivoirian judiciary system.

November 14, 2007

1. The Ivoirian peace process -- especially the upcoming elections and the audiences foraines (a program designed to issue identity documents to citizens of Cote d’Ivoire) -- dominated the press today. The papers also carried report that activities were brought to a standstill yesterday in the western city of Bangolo, as disgruntled soldiers staged a demonstration to press for better conditions.

2. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party): The paper carries reports on the controversy over the number of Ivoirians who should be documented during the public identity hearings. In one report, the daily says: "Since the beginning of the public identity hearings, only 34,764 substitute birth certificates have been issued so far, out of 36,851 requests that were submitted." The paper says it got these figures from the Prime Minister’s Spokesperson Meite Sindou, who was briefing the press yesterday in Abidjan.

3. In another report, Notre Voie opines that these figures are below the three million people that were claimed by the Ivoirian opposition as being the number of Ivoirians who may not have identity documents. The paper quotes the spokesperson as saying: "As at the deadline of October 30, 2007, it was not possible to deploy all the 30 teams tasked to conduct the public identity hearings in the entire country." The paper continues on to say that the spokesman, Meite Sindou, blamed the delay on "logistics and financial problems."

4. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition): "We need two billion CFA Francs to relaunch the public identity hearings," the paper quotes Meite Sindou as saying. Regarding the date of the upcoming elections, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson said: "We could reasonably fix a date when the voters’ registration gets underway, probably earlier next year," reports the paper. However, "the decision to come out with a date should be the responsibility of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI)," the premier’s spokesperson is reported as saying.

5. Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party): The paper publishes a document, which it calls "the correct 2000 voters’ registration". It alleges that a similar document that the National Statistics Institution (INS) provided to the Independent Electoral Commission was "false."

6. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): Also reports on the difficulties that are holding back the public identity hearings; the paper quotes Meite Sindou as saying: "We’re ready, except that we don’t have logistics and financial means." The paper also reports on the comments by Prime Minister’s Spokesperson on the measures that the government is planning to put in place in order to ensure that upcoming elections run peacefully. One of the planning items mentioned in the paper include the training of youth and women to become mediators in their various political parties.

7. The paper also said that since yesterday, members from various Ivoirian political groups have been taking part in a forum on elections. The forum is organized by the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) in partnership with National Democratic Institution and the Electoral Department of the UN Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI). According to the paper, the objective of this forum is to bring political parties and the international community to become more involved in the electoral process. The paper went on to say that , at the end of the day, participants would hammer out "a code of conduct", which will include the will of all political stakeholders to fully and honestly participate in the organization of the forthcoming elections, hence promote democracy in Cote d’Ivoire.

8. "To rekindle hope and build confidence, the people of Cote d’Ivoire need to see clear-cut evidence that the peace process is moving forward," Fraternite Matin quotes French Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire Andre Janier, who was speaking after a meeting yesterday with the Ivoirian former President Henri Konan Bedie on the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire.

9. Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party): One banner headline in the paper says that "soldiers belonging to the Integrated Command Center protested in Bangolo in western Cote d’Ivoire to demand unpaid allowances."

10. Still on the same issue, Fraternite Matin quotes Corporal Amadou Karamoko spokesperson of the group, who was speaking yesterday, as saying, "We cannot continue working without being paid. This has been going on for the past seven or eight months. Yet we want to work for the interest of the country. But we cannot make this sacrifice unless we receive today our allowances and adequate communication equipment."

November 13, 2007

1. News reports in today’s Ivorian press say that the Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro and the Cote d’Ivoire’s former President Henri Konan Bedie met yesterday "to iron out their political differences." The November 10-11’s visit to Cote d’Ivoire of Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte also continues to be subject of reporting and analysis in the Ivorian newspapers.

2. Le Courrier d’Abidjan (a daily close to President Gbagbo): The paper carries a picture of Ambassador Negroponte on its front page with a headline reading: "Peace process in Cote d’Ivoire: The secret behind the visit of Bush’s emissary." The sub-headline also says the visit is "a proof that the United Nations is no more credible." This implies that the USA does not have confidence in the UN report on Cote d’Ivoire.

3. Le Courrier d’Abidjan reports that after his meeting with all Ivoirian political stakeholders, the American diplomat declared that his country is "hopeful" that the inter-Ivoirian agreement would be applied. Quoting an Ivoirian diplomatic source, the paper suggests that "the visit of Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte to Cote d’Ivoire must be seen as a setback or a disapproval of reports documented by the United Nations’ Mission in Cote d’Ivoire."

4. Le Matin d’Abidjan (a daily close to President Gbagbo): "The visit of John Negroponte to Abidjan is a sign that Paris and Washington do not have the same interpretation of the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire," comments the paper. It continues: "The Bush Administration taught the French a diplomatic lesson. The high level visit of Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte tells a different story from the negative image that Nicolas Sarkozy [the French President] tries to perpetuate."

5. According to Le Matin d’Abidjan, the Department of State’s second ranking official came to Cote d’Ivoire to see for himself the application of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. The paper then quotes Ambassador Negroponte as saying, "There is strong hope that the Ouagadougou Political Agreement would be implemented."

6. Soir Info (a privately-owned daily): The paper quotes Ambassador Negroponte as saying, "As far as the question of sanctions are concerned, it is my understanding that those sanctions continue to remain in place although if there are some exceptional reasons to consider an exception to those sanctions, before the peace process has been completed, I am sure that the international community might be willing to consider that."

7. Speaking on his meetings with Ivoirian political leaders, reports Soir Info, the Deputy Secretary of State said: "I stressed to everyone I met that the United States wants to see Cote d’Ivoire regain peace and prosperity. We believe the Ouagadougou Political Agreement offers a very good path to recovery and for that reason we support its implementation as soon as possible." The paper also quotes Ambassador Negroponte as saying: "If the Ouagadougou Agreement is well implemented and as soon as possible, we, the United States and Cote d’Ivoire, will be in a better position to fully realize the potential of our bilateral relationships."

8. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A front-page story in the paper says that "the Ivoirian Prime Minister Guillaume Soro and the Cote d’Ivoire’s former President Henri Konan Bedie have buried their differences over the implementation of the Ouagadougou Agreement." Regarding recent reports announcing the formation of new government, paper quotes Soro as saying, "I don’t see any reasons for that."

November 7, 2007

1. Ivoirian press continues to comment the proposal by the New Forces demanding the formation of a new government. The new US Ambassador in Cote d’Ivoire, Wanda L. Nesbitt presented her credential letters yesterday at the Presidential Palace in Abidjan. The ceremony is a front-page story in today’s Ivoirian press.

2. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned newspaper): A front-page story in the paper says: "Wanda Nesbitt promises that the United States will support Cote d’Ivoire." "We’ll do our best to support Ivoirians in their efforts to restore peace and prosperity," the paper quotes Ambassador Nesbitt as saying, yesterday, when she presented the letters of credential as the new United States’ Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire.

3. "The United States thinks that the Ouagadougou Political Agreement offers the best opportunity for Ivoirians to establish a durable and prosperous future… and we encourage its continued implementation without delay," reports Fraternite Matin. According to the paper, the Ambassador also promised to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Cote d’Ivoire. "She also intends to help bring American investors to discover Cote d’Ivoire’s business potentials," reports the paper.

4. Le Temps (a daily close to Gbagbo): The paper says: "The United States supports the Ouagadougou Political Agreement." According to the paper, Ambassador Nesbitt said she will work with President Laurent Gbagbo, his government, and the Ivoirian people.

5. "The United States has been and will continue to be a friend to Cote d’Ivoire. We stand ready to support you as Ivorians together identify and implement the actions that will steer your country out of the political crisis of the last few years. Peace and stability in Cote d’Ivoire are critical for the continuation of peace and stability in neighboring countries and the sub-region as a whole," Le Temps quotes Ambassador Nesbitt as saying.

6. L’inter (independent newspaper): After the demand by the New Forces calling for a new government, the Prime Minister Guillaume Soro has started consultations, reports the paper. According to the paper, the premier is looking for technocrats in the perspective of the cabinet reshuffle.

7. Notre Voie (a newspaper close to the ruling FPI party): "Bedie (the former Ivoirian president Henri Konan Bedie) must clearly express his rapports with Soro," the paper quotes the spokesperson of the prime minister as saying. According to the paper, "The crisis opposing the RHPD – an Ivoirian opposition coalition -- and the Ivoirian premier has deepened."

8. Regarding the implementation of the Ouagadougou Agreement, Notre Voie announces that the mediator in the Ivorian crisis, President Blaise Compaore, has invited the signatories of the Ouagadougou Accord to an emergency crisis meeting due to be held at the end of this week in Ouagadougou. According to the paper, the deployment of police services and the gendarmerie throughout the country would be atop of the agenda of this meeting.

7. Le Patriote (a newspaper close the opposition RDR party): Reacting to news reports that the alliance between the RHDP and the New Forces is on "the brink to collapse", the paper says, "The divorce between RHDP and the New Forces, which has become the dream of Gbagbo, is impossible."

8. Le Courrier d’Abidjan (a newspaper close to Gbagbo): As preparations are underway for upcoming elections, the paper outlines the big challenges that the Independent Electoral Commission would be confronted with. "The electoral body needs 36 billion Francs CFA to accomplish the task," reports the paper which quotes the chairman of the commission, Robert Beugre Mambe. According to the paper, he made the announcement yesterday in Abidjan during a conference on how to find solutions to difficulties that hinder electoral process in Africa.

November 6, 2007

1. The proposal by the New Forces demanding the formation of new transitional government was the lead subject in Tuesday’s newspapers in Cote d’Ivoire.

2. A few days after the New Forces called for a cabinet reshuffle, the former Ivoirian rebel movement published a press communique in which it demanded ministers who have been "criticizing" the Prime Minister, Soro Guillaume "to resign from the government," reports the state-owned daily Fraternite Matin. "Today, the New Forces believe that those are criticizing Soro Guillaume must have the courage to quit the government," the paper quotes a statement, which was released yesterday by the New Forces, as saying. The statement, comments the paper, was in reaction to "criticisms" leveled against the head of the government by some newspapers following a proposal by Soro’s associates demanding a cabinet shake-up.

3. "The lack of cohesion and solidarity in the government," reports L’inter, is the main motive brought forward by the leadership of the New Forces to justify its demand. According to the privately-owned daily, the New Forces have been "frustrated" by the writings of Tirbuce Koffi, an Ivoirian journalist and writer, who recently published columns in newspapers, calling Soro and his collaborators "a bunch of incompetent people, whose accession to power is an aberration for the people of Cote d’Ivoire."

4. As the New Forces are pressing members of the opposition parties to quit the government, L’inter believes that "the political survival of the RHDP – a coalition of four leading opposition parties in Cote d’Ivoire – hangs in the balance." The paper calls the New Forces’ proposal "a big trap" for the Ivoirian opposition groups.

5. The dilemma for these opposition parties suggests L’inter, is to either quit the government – a choice that would give them a total freedom to critically look at the deeds and misdeeds of the prime minister – or to stay in government and accept the peace process as it being conducted.

6. In a front-page story, Nord-Sud Quotidien, a daily close to the opposition, warns that "the friction between the RHDP and New Forces could undermine the implementation of the Ouagadougou Agreement." The big question, comments the paper, is what the New Forces are up to without a backing from the opposition coalition, and whether the latter is strong enough to challenge Gbagbo without the support of the former rebel movement. In any case, suggests the paper, "The RHDP and New Forces needs each other," because at this stage of the peace process, one cannot resolve the crisis in Cote d’Ivoire by "sidelining" Henri Konan Bedie – the Ivoirian president – and the main opposition figure, Alassane Dramane Ouattara.

7. In another development, Fraternite Matin reports that the Minister of Communication, Sy Savane Ibrahim, met yesterday with representatives of principal political parties in Cote d’Ivoire. According to the paper, the meeting was to have parties’ contributions ahead of a conference on balance news reporting and free access to the state-own media. The conference, whose date has not yet been confirmed, reports the paper, will focus how the RTI – the state-run broadcasting corporation, AIP – the Ivoirian news agency – and Fraternite Matin – will provide the public with balance news and give the public an equal access to those media outlets.

8. Fraternite Matin also reports that, as elections in Africa are always subject to conflict, electoral experts from West African counties have been meeting since yesterday in Abidjan in a bid to find solutions to difficulties that hinder electoral process in Africa.

November 5, 2007

1. Comments in Monday’s press say political groups in Cote d’Ivoire are divided over a proposal from the New Forces demanding the formation of a new government.

2. "Any decision to reshuffle the government depends only on the President of the Republic," Fraternite Matin quotes Alphonse Djedje Mady, a leading member of the former ruling PDCI-RDA party. Djedje Mady was reacting to a proposal made last week by the New Forces’ leadership demanding a cabinet reshuffle.

3. Prior to this government restructure, "Leaders of political parties must be consulted," suggested Philippe Legre of MFA – Mouvement des Forces d’Avenir --, reports the state-owned daily. For Legre, "The Ouagadougou Agreement does not exclude the parties that signed the Marcoussis Accord from the government." After denouncing what he called "dysfunction within the government," a leader of ANCI – Alliance Nouvelle de Cote d’Ivoire, calls for "a cabinet made up of technocrats", reports Fraternite Matin.

4. A front-page story of Soir Info, a privately-owned daily, questions the real intention of the New Forces’s leadership when it called for a new government. According to the paper, the announcement made last Friday by the spokesperson of the former rebel movement could be seen as "a test", whose objective is "to prepare the mood" before the cabinet reshuffle.

5. In the perspective of this shake-up, comments Soir Info, the New Forces may demand President Laurent Gbagbo "to get rid of representatives of the opposition groups" serving in the current administration, and to form a small cabinet that would be composed of "members of the New Forces and the presidential camp." However, Soir Info quickly suggests that this new arrangement could trigger "unhappiness" within the RHDP – a coalition of four leading opposition parties in Cote d’Ivoire.

6. In the wake of the New Forces’ intention to change the Ivoirian transitional government, which was formed after the Ouagadougou Agreement, L’inter, another privately-owned daily, says that "Soro wants to eject the RHDP from the government." The paper questions whether the accord signed nine months ago between Gbagbo and Soro gives the two signatories the power to change ministers.

7. According to L’inter, "There is no clear section in the Ouagadougou Agreement that makes it compulsory for parties that signed the deal to rule with parties that signed the Marcoussis Agreement." However, according to L’inter, "the Ouagadougou Agreement recommends that the signatories work together with other political forces – in a spirit of permanent consultation – in order to achieving the reunification of Cote d’Ivoire, disarmament, and the organization of open, transparent and democratic elections, as it was enshrined in the previous accords and resolutions aimed at resolving the crisis."

8. Reacting to the controversy over New Forces’ demand for a cabinet reshuffle, the prime minister’s spokesperson, told 24 Heures, a daily close to the opposition, that "Soro was not aware of any plan to restructure the government."

9. A front-page story in Nord-Sud Quotidien, a daily close to the opposition, says, "Relations between the Ivoirian prime minister and the G7 – a coalition of opposition parties and the New Forces – is strained, as Soro believes that his former allies betrayed him."

10. In another development, Fraternite Matin tells readers that after his announcement to suspend the residence permit required for foreigners living in Cote d’Ivoire, Gbagbo has set up a committee to work on the issue. The committee is tasked to evaluate "the financial and social impact of the residence permit." The paper said, following findings, the commission would come up with proposals to be submitted to the president.

November 2, 2007

1. Comments in today’s Ivoirian press are dominated by the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire with a special focus on President Laurent Gbagbo’s upcoming visit to cities in the northern region of the country.

2. In a front-page story, Fraternite Matin, a state-owned daily, quotes the Ivoirian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro as saying, "The visit of President Gbagbo to the north will have positive impacts on the region." Soro, reports the paper, made the statement last Wednesday when he discussed the presidential visit with officials from ten departments located in the New Forces fiefdom.

3. This maiden visit of Gbagbo – the first one since the beginning of the political conflict in Cote d’Ivoire – falls in the line of the implementation of the Ouagadougou Agreement, writes Fraternite Matin. "For the past two weeks, the security and defense forces from the Ivoirian armed forces and the New Forces, French troops, and United Nations forces have been working to beef up security on the ground. The date of the visit will be announced after security forces submit a report," the paper quotes Soro as saying.

4. Still on the peace process, Fraternite Matin quotes the acting Head of the UN Mission in Cote d’Ivoire, Abou Moussa, as saying, "I hope that within the upcoming six months, sanctions that have been imposed on Cote d’Ivoire by the UN would be lifted." Speaking after a meeting with Laurent Dona Fologo, President of the Economic and Social Council, Moussa is reported as saying that developments of the Ivorian crisis are "positive".

5. L’inter, a privately-owned daily, also quotes the acting Head of the UN Mission in Cote d’Ivoire, as saying, "The international community needs to see certain actions implemented in Cote d’Ivoire. A significant progress has been noted in the peace process but there is a need to buttress what has been done so far in order to achieving a lasting peace through free and fair elections."

6. A front-page story in 24 Heures, a daily close to the opposition, explains how the Ouagadougou Agreement that was brokered by the Burkinabe President Blaise Compaore has saved the mandate of Gbagbo. After a critical analysis of the recent Resolution of the UN on Cote d’Ivoire, the paper suggests that, the world body through this Resolution has left it to Gbagbo and Soro to follow their own calendar for the implementation of the Ouagadougou Agreement.

7. According to Le Patriote, a daily close to the opposition RDR party, the UN Mission in Cote d’Ivoire has made the commitment to encourage women to play a leading role in the peace process. This recommendation was made on Wednesday during the celebration of the UN Day in Yamoussoukro.

8. The controversy over the Gbagbo’s plan to suspend the residence permit required for foreigners living on the Ivoirian soil is a front-page story in Notre Voie, a daily close to the ruling FPI party. According to the paper, the Ivoirian opposition leader, Alassane Dramane Ouattara, was behind "the concept of xenophobia" in Cote d’Ivoire.

9. Another front-page item in Fraternite Matin says that Gbagbo is preparing a decree to abolish the residence permit. Citing reliable sources, the paper hints that the decree could be signed next week. Fraternite Matin thinks that "if the decree suspending this document is signed, this will help resolve a political problem that has strained relations between Cote d’Ivoire and other countries."

10. In another development, World Partners, a non-profit organization, is to train Ivoirian diplomats serving abroad as part of the country’s post-crisis reconstruction program, reports Fraternite Matin. The aim of this training, writes the paper, is to equip the diplomats so that they can market Cote d’Ivoire abroad and to encourage foreign investors to come back to the country.