National Daily Press Review Archive

October 31, 2006

1. The political atmosphere in Cote d’Ivoire, as the UN Security Council’s decision on the future of the country is likely to be announced today, is the major story in the Ivoirian press.

2. "Meeting of the UN Security Council: The fate of Cote d’Ivoire to be known today," says a front-page story in the privately-owned daily Soir Info. Citing diplomatic sources, the paper suggests that, "The Resolution to be voted on this week will fully conform to Resolution 1633, adopted by the Security Council last year."

3. According to Le Nouveau Reveil, "No Resolution will be voted on today." "The principal reason is that two of the five permanent members of the Security Council – China and Russia – continue to brandish their veto to thwart the draft text presented by France," discloses the paper, close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party. According to the paper, "The two permanent members oppose the idea of giving more powers to the Ivoirian Prime Minister." "They propose that President Laurent Gbagbo and Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny continue to work together, in accordance with the previous Resolution," says the paper.

4. Meanwhile, "Tension is rising in Abidjan, as President Gbagbo has given firm instructions to the army," reports the paper, adding, "The RHDP [an opposition coalition] is also mobilizing its militants."

5. "China and Russia maintain their position: Chirac abandons the party," says a banner headline that runs across Notre Voie, a daily owned by the ruling FPI party. Citing a French diplomatic source, the paper reports that, "China, with the backing of Russia is against any decision that would undermine the sovereignty of President Gbagbo." According to paper, "Supporters of the ruling FPI party and the Young Patriots will organize a wake-keeping ceremony tonight while waiting for the UN Resolution." The paper quotes a leading member of the opposition RDR party as saying, "We’ll not take to the streets, unless the Patriots go out."

6. "The die is cast: Laurent Gbagbo has lost the party… The RHDP is getting ready to launch a street ‘war’," writes the privately-owned daily, Le Front, close to the New Forces. Speaking to the paper, the spokesperson of the New Forces, Sidiki Konate, says, "We hope the UN propositions will be positive and realistic." "It’s high time to stop the violence that is looming ahead," the paper quotes Ivoirian reggae star, Alpha Blondy, as saying when he met leaders of the opposition yesterday in Abidjan.

7. A front-page story in the privately-owned daily, L’intelligent d’Abidjan, says, "Leaders of the youth wing of the Ivoirian opposition coalition boycotted yesterday’s meeting with Alpha Blondy." The paper publishes the full text of a statement issued by OLPED, an Ivoirian media watchdog committee, calling on the journalists to work "responsibly."

8. Speaking to the state-owned daily, Fraternite Matin, the Ivoirian reggae star says, "Any Resolution that does not come from Ivoirians is null and void." He suggests what the paper calls "the salvation pyramid," as a blueprint to help resolve the political stalemate in Cote d’Ivoire.

9. "The Transition ends today, and Cote d’Ivoire holds its breath," says a front-page story in L’inter. According to this privately-owned daily, "Defense and security forces are on high alert in the Ivoirian political capital, Yamoussoukro." The paper quotes the leader of the Young Patriots, Charles Ble Goude, as saying, "Our camp does not favor any confrontation. The fire will not come from our side." Meanwhile, OLPED calls upon journalists and political leaders to exercise "restraint".

10. In a front-page story, the privately-owned daily Le Temps alleges that, "France is preparing an uprising in Cote d’Ivoire." According to the paper, which is close to Gbagbo, "weapons have been distributed to opposition RDR’s militants in Daloa, [center-western Cote d’Ivoire], and the civilian personnel at the French military base in Abidjan have been given a temporary leave."

11. And finally, L’evenement, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition, carries a banner headline saying, "Gbagbo wants to form a new government."

October 30, 2006

1. Today’s Ivoirian press is dominated by the efforts of the UN Security Council to hammer out a new Resolution that extends the current transition in Cote d’Ivoire for up to twelve more months.

2. The state-owned daily Fraternite Matin announces that, "The UN Security Council will adopt a new resolution tomorrow." Meanwhile, the paper noted for its balanced reports, explains that, "A French draft text, which is serving as a blueprint for a new UN Security Council Resolution, is stuck on three points." "The first bone of contention," writes the paper, "concerns a clause in the text that strips President Laurent Gbagbo of some powers, transferring them to the Prime Minister, who will have full authority to appoint civilian and military officials."

3. The second sticking point, notes the paper, "is the mandate of the UN Secretary General’s Representative in charge of elections in Cote d’Ivoire, who will be the sole authority to arbitrate electoral disputes, and to certify the identification and registration of voters." The last conflicting point is "the battle over whether the Ivoirian National Assembly should or should not be dissolved as recommended last January by the International Working Group."

4. In a front-page story, Notre Voie, a daily close to the ruling FPI party says, "The UN will conform to the African Union’s recommendations." The paper publishes the full text of a statement issued by the CNRD [a coalition of political parties and associations supporting President Gbagbo] saying, "The draft Resolution proposed by France will cause chaos in Cote d’Ivoire."

5. "Full authority to Banny: China and Russia continue to say no," says a banner headline that runs across Le Nouveau Reveil, a daily close to the ex-ruling PDCI-RDA party. According to the paper, President Gbagbo wrote to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan saying, "I finally accept the decisions that were taken in Addis Ababa."

6. "I won’t give up powers to Banny," President Gbagbo is quoted as saying by the privately-owned daily, Nord-Sud Quotidien. According to the paper, in a letter sent to the UN Secretary General, "President Gbagbo is threatening the UN."

7. Commenting on the letter the Ivoirian leader sent to the UN Secretary General, 24 Heures, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition notes that, "There is a stand-off between President Gbagbo and the UN."

8. "The Constitution will not be changed," writes Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a daily close to Gbagbo. According to the paper, "Members of the Security Council have reached a consensus, to not endorse parts of France’s draft text that are contrary to the Constitution."

9. In a front-page story carried by Le Front, the Ivoirian Prime Minister says, "I don’t look like an assassin." According to the paper, a daily close to the New Forces, "Banny was reacting to news reports alleging that the head of the transitional government planned to kill President Gbagbo."

10. Finally, front-page reports carried by all Ivoirian dailies today say that thousands of mourners, supporters, and music lovers, from all walks of life, paid their last tribute over the weekend to Douk Saga, the Ivoirian popular singer and founder of the "devastating dance" known as "Coupe-Decale". "50 thousand fans salute the ‘President’," writes L’inter.

October 27, 2006

1. A draft Resolution presented by France to the UN Security Council, which is meeting in New York to design a new political framework in Cote d’Ivoire, continues to spark reactions in this country.

2. In a front-page story, the privately-owned daily L’inter explains to its readers "how French leader Jacques Chirac is bargaining in a bid to have his Resolution adopted by the UN Security Council." The paper condenses a story from the Paris-based newspaper, La Lettre du Continent, suggesting that, "France has been engaged in diplomatic efforts aimed at giving Ivorian Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny full powers to run the country during the coming transitional period."

3. "To achieve this goal," comments the paper, "Chirac is trying to lobby leading members of the UN Security Council, including United Kingdom and China to rally behind Paris, in a quest to have its draft Resolution on Cote d’Ivoire adopted." In a related development, L’inter describes "Ivorian Prime Minister’s full powers" as "a two-edged knife."

4. While members of the UN Security Council are working on the French draft document, Le Matin d’Abidjan a privately-owned daily close to Gbagbo, comments that, "Chirac’s defeat is imminent." According to the paper, "The Council has rejected the plan proposed by France in favor of the African Union’s recommendations." The other major news on the front-page of the paper is what it calls "a stand-off opposing Charles Konan Banny against the Chief of Defense Staff, General Philippe Mangou over relations between the Ivoirian national army and the Cabinet of the Prime Minister."

5. "The cabinet of the President has rejected the French draft," says a banner headline in the state-owned daily Fraternite Matin. "The UN should comply with the decision of the African Union," the paper quotes President Gbagbo’s spokesperson as saying. Meanwhile, the former ruling PDCI-RDA party insists that, "The new Resolution should be the only legal act that will govern the new transition." The paper, noted for its balanced reports, quotes the UN Secretary General’s Representative in Cote d’Ivoire, Pierre Schori, as saying, "The Constitution will not be suspended." The ONUCI [UN Mission in Cote d’Ivoire] also calls on Ivoirian political leaders "to exercise restraint", reports the paper.

6. "Plan to suspend the Ivoirian Constitution: The French bloc draws back," says a banner headline that runs across the daily Le Temps, close to Gbagbo.

7. The privately-owned daily, Le Jour Plus tells a different story saying, "The UN Security Council is working on the French draft Resolution, and the Ivoirian Constitution will be suspended in favor of the UN Resolution that will be inspired by recommendations made by ECOWAS leaders and the African Union."

8. A front-page story carried by the privately-owned daily Nord-Sud Quotidien says, "The former ruling PDCI-RDA party is on war path." Quoting a statement issued yesterday by the party of ex-President Henri Konan Bedie, the paper, close to the opposition RDR party, writes, "Let’s kick Gbagbo out. Ivoirians, stand up against the tyranny." The paper also quotes the French Ambassador to UN, Jean Marc de la Sabliere, as saying, "The text of France will be adopted."

9. According to a front-page story in Le Front, a daily close to the New Forces, "The ‘Young Patriots’ are preparing to attack RTI [Ivoirian Broadcasting Corporation], and newspapers close to the opposition will be also targeted." The paper quotes Karamoko Yayaro, leader of the RJDP [the youth wing of an opposition coalition] as saying, "We’re ready waiting for them."

10. Finally, Le Patriote, close to the opposition RDR party, quotes the spokesperson of Licorne, who describes "recent media reports accusing the French peacekeeping force in Cote d’Ivoire of plotting to overthrow President Gbagbo as weird."

October 25, 2006

1. Commentaries in today’s press depict the mood in Cote d’Ivoire, as the UN Security Council meets today to adopt a Resolution aimed at resolving the lingering political stalemate in this country.

2. "Pending the UN’s decisions on the future of Cote d’Ivoire, the Young Patriots and other militia groups are threatening to launch an uprising," writes the privately-owned daily, Soir Info. According to the paper, "Four militia groups, under an umbrella called the ‘Grand West Resistance Forces,’ issued a statement warning: ‘We will use every means possible to defend the sovereignty of Cote d’Ivoire, in case it has been soiled by France and the international community.’"

3. The paper also quotes Eugene Djue, a leading member of the Young Patriots [a group close to President Laurent Gbagbo] as saying, "I’m waiting for the conclusion of the UN meeting to see who will dare take to the streets. We’re watching the streets. If Cote d’Ivoire is set on fire, everybody will burn with it."

4. In a related development, L’inter, another privately-owned daily, carries a front-page story explaining "how the Young Patriots are planning to react in case France wants to sideline President Gbagbo." Regarding the mood in western Cote d’Ivoire, the paper says, "Combatants in the west of the country are on maximum alert." The paper also published the full text of a letter from the Archbishop of Abidjan, Monsignor Jean-Pierre Kutwa, exhorting "political leaders and the international community to be sincere, in order to restore peace back to Cote d’Ivoire."

5. "Help us objectively," the state-owned daily Fraternite Matin quotes Monsignor Jean-Pierre Kutwa as saying in a front-page story. On Cote d’Ivoire’s future after October 31, the paper reports that, "Discussions are set to open today in the UN headquarters," while "France is trying to rewrite, clarify, and extend the UA’s decisions."

6. The paper, noted for its balanced reports, explains that President Jacques Chirac, who is expected in China today at the start of a four-day official visit, is in fact engaged in what the paper sees as "an effort to lobby Peking to rally behind Paris, in a quest to have its draft Resolution on Cote d’Ivoire adopted by members of the UN Security Council." Meanwhile, President Gbagbo’s Deputy Chief of Staff believes that, "The UN can only adopt the African Union’s recommendations."

7. According to the privately-owned daily, Le Courrier d’Abidjan, "Tension is growing high in the zones under the control of the New Forces, as French Helicopters patrolled the region." According to the paper, close to Gbagbo, "French peacekeepers and the rebels are testing their capacity to react to events in case of trouble." The paper also carries a major news item saying, "A plan to assassinate President Gbagbo has been nipped in the bud as two military officers have been arrested, while another one is at large."

8. Nord-Sud Quotidien, a privately-owned daily, close to the opposition RDR, carries what it calls "exclusive news" entitled: "The army generals launch a rebellion as they defy the authority of the Prime Minister." According to the paper, elements from the Ivoirian military high command have sent a letter to the Chief of Defense Staff, General Philippe Mangou, denouncing what they call "the interference of political leaders in the army’s affairs."

9. Le Front, a daily close to the New Forces, describes today’s discussions at the UN Security Council as "a crucial meeting," adding that the draft Resolution submitted by France to the UN "has caused panic within the ruling FPI party."

10. A front-page story carried by Le Nouveau Reveil, a daily close to the former ruling party, suggests that, "Pending a new Resolution to be adopted on October 31, President Gbagbo will soon declare a state of emergency, a curfew and form a new cabinet."

October 18, 2006

1. Commentaries in today’s Ivoirian press are dominated by reactions to the meeting of African leaders in Addis Ababa, where they decided that Cote d’Ivoire’s President Laurent Gbagbo should stay in power for up to another year, until presidential elections are held in this country.

2. "Gbagbo has got one year extra-time," says a banner headline that runs across the privately-owned daily, Le Jour Plus, close to the opposition. The paper also quotes President Gbagbo’s Deputy Chief of Staff as saying, "It’s clear that the Prime Minister will not enjoy executive powers."

3. "Gbagbo and Banny still in command," writes the state-owned daily, Fraternite Matin, in a front-page story. Commenting on the decisions that were taken yesterday in Addis Ababa, the paper, noted for its balanced report, explains that, "The powers of the Prime Minister have been reinforced." On the controversy over who should be the mediator in the Ivoirian crisis, the paper reports that, "Congo’s leader and Chairman of the African Union, Denis Sassou N’Guesso, will take over from his South African counterpart, Thabo Mbeki [who has been rejected by the New Forces’ leadership for being biased]."

4. Regarding reactions to the decision by African leaders to grant President Gbagbo another year in office, the paper reports that, "Civil society proponents in the New Forces’ stronghold are demanding a new transitional arrangement, one that excludes all potential candidates in the coming presidential elections."

5. Under the headline, "Gbagbo reigns, Banny rules," Le Front, a privately-owned daily close to the New Forces, notes that, "The African Union has endorsed ECOWAS leaders’ recommendations." According to the paper, "The Prime Minister has taken control of the army." "The best transitional arrangement that Cote d’Ivoire deserves, is to give full powers to the Prime Minister," the paper quotes New Forces’ Spokesperson, Sidiki Konate as saying. The paper also reports that, "Young Patriots [a group close to Gbagbo] were ready to take to the street yesterday in case the Ivoirian leader was stripped off of his powers."

6. "Banny will rule the country by ordinances and decrees," says a front-page story in Le Nouveau Reveil, a daily close to the PDCI-RDA party. On how the decisions arrived at the summit will be implemented, the paper quotes President N’Guesso as saying, "The African Union will see to the implementation of these decisions… it’s a question of dignity." Citing a source close to the Quai d’Orsey [French Foreign Affairs Ministry], the paper writes, "France will keep an eagle eye on what the African Union will propose."

7. "Banny snatches Gbagbo’s powers," writes the privately-owned daily, Soir Info. Commenting on the Prime Minister’s new powers, the paper reports that, "Banny can nominate civil servants, pass ordinances and decrees, and has authority over the defense and security forces."

8. Le Patriote, a daily close to the opposition RDR party, is of the opinion that, "This time, the African Union has come out with bold decisions, rejecting the plan proposed by the ruling FPI party."

9. In a front-page story, Notre Voie, a daily owned by the ruling FPI party, calls the meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council, "a mess".

10. Le Matin d’Abidjan, a privately-owned daily close to Gbagbo, accuses the Congolese leader of staging what the paper calls "a coup d’etat". That said, the paper believes, "The ball is still in the court of President Gbagbo."

11. Le Courrier d’Abidjan, another daily close to Gbagbo, calls decisions taken yesterday at the Addis Ababa summit "a hold-up." The paper then comments that, "The Constitution has not been suspended. Gbagbo can nominate a new Prime Minister… and move forward for the reunification of the country."

October 17, 2006

1. A nationwide strike by the Ivoirian cocoa farmers to press for higher prices for their crops, and today’s meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council to design a new transitional arrangement in Cote d’Ivoire, are the major news items in Tuesday’s Ivoirian Press.

2. While African leaders are meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to examine the recommendations made by ECOWAS Heads of State during their extraordinary summit on Cote d’Ivoire a few days ago, Soir Info, a privately-owned daily carries a front-page story entitled: "Two blocs are set to clash." "The Ivoirian crisis constitutes a big challenge for the African Union," notes the paper, "because the Addis Ababa summit kicks off amidst disagreements among the Ivoirian political leaders." The paper also runs the full text of a story in the Paris-based French newspaper, Jeune Afrique, on "how French leader Jacques Chirac has lost the political battle against his Ivoirian counterpart."

3. "The difficult relations" between Presidents Chirac and Gbagbo is also a subject of a top story on the front-page of L’inter, another privately-owned daily. Speaking on the African Union Summit, the President of the Social and Economic Council and leader of RPP – a minor party close to President Gbagbo – says, "The Ivoirian leader won’t let himself be stripped off of his powers."

4. Le Patriote, a daily close to the opposition RDR, holds a different view saying, "The Ivoirian Head of State will lose all his powers in favor of the Prime Minister, who will have authority over the army."

5. Le Temps, a privately-owned daily close to President Gbagbo, comments that, "The diplomatic bargaining in which the Ivoirian leader has been engaged has started yielding positive results, and he [Gbagbo] is the favorite."

6. Le Courrier d’Abidjan, another privately-owned daily close to President Gbagbo, calls the African Union summit, "the battle of Addis Ababa," and explains how "President Gbagbo has prepared the conclave." According to the paper, "The Ivoirian leader, who flew to the Ethiopian capital Sunday, has held close door meetings with his counterparts ahead of the summit."

7. Still on President Gbagbo’s "big diplomatic maneuvers in Addis Ababa," Le Matin d’Abidjan, also close to Gbagbo reports that, "The Ivoirian leader held talks with the Chairman of the African Union Denis Sassou N’Guesso, President Compaoré of Burkina Faso, and the Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

8. In a front-page story entitled: "What Gbagbo will tell Addis Ababa’s summit," Notre Voie, a daily owned by the ruling FPI party, announces that the Ivoirian leader will present before the conclave what the paper calls "a five-point blueprint to save Cote d’Ivoire." Dubbed an "Alternative Plan," the draft calls for "the full application of the Ivorian Constitution, and the withdrawal of France from the peace process," writes the paper. In a related development, the paper alleges that, "France and the rebels are preparing another coup against President Gbagbo."

9. According to a front-page story in 24 Heures, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition, "President Gbagbo owes his political survival to Mali’s leader Amadou Toumani Touré," who, according to the paper, "colluded with his Ivoirian counterpart in return for money."

10. Fraternite Matin, a state-owned daily suggests that the highpoint of the Addis Ababa Summit will be "The presentations of President Gbagbo and Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny on the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire." The paper, noted for its balanced reports, also denounces what it calls "the inconsistence of the United Nations in Cote d’Ivoire."

11. Finally, 24 Heures reports that, "Striking farmers in Anyama [a suburb of Abidjan] burned tons of cocoa as they protested yesterday against low prices for the crops."

October 16, 2006

1. As African leaders convene in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in an attempt to design a new political arrangement to resolve the crisis in Cote d’Ivoire, Ivoirian papers ponder the outcome of the talks.

2. According to the state-owned daily Fraternite Matin, "President Laurent Gbagbo arrived yesterday in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to participate in the African Union leaders’ meeting aimed at designing recommendations on the future of Cote d’Ivoire after October 31." "The African Union is confronted with another challenge," notes the paper, known for its balanced reports, "because it has the difficult task of narrowing the positions of two blocs -- maintaining President Gbagbo in office and conferring executive powers on the Prime Minister, without suspending the Ivoirian Constitution."

3. The paper quotes the Spokesperson of the Rally of the Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace [an opposition coalition], Alphonse Djédjé Mady, as saying, "President Gbagbo should step aside during the next transitional period in Cote d’Ivoire." The Ivoirian political leader, who was addressing a rally over the weekend, told militants "to chase Gbagbo out of power." Meanwhile, Laurent Dona Fologo, leader of the Rally For Peace [a small party close to President Gbagbo], warns that "if the Constitution is suspended, that will be seen as a coup-d’etat."

4. A banner headline carried by Notre Voie, a daily owned by the ruling FPI party, calls the rally staged by the opposition coalition yesterday in Abidjan, as "a declaration of war."

5. "Good bye, Gbagbo," Le Nouveau Reveil, a daily close to the PDCI-RDA party, quotes opposition supporters as saying as they attended what the paper describes as a "mammoth rally." According to the paper, "Yesterday’s meeting was a success despite the deployment of soldiers and tanks by the Ivoirian Chief of Defense Staff, General Philippe Mangou, in an attempt to intimidate protesters." The paper, however, condemns "attempt to lynch Thierry Lath, a journalist with the daily Verdict Populaire, by PDCI-RDA supporters."

6. Still on the opposition rally, which 24 Heures sees as "a victory", the daily close to the opposition quotes Alphonse Djédjé Mady as saying, "It’s the beginning of the end of Gbagbo’s power." However, the major item in the paper is a story on "how the Ivoirian Chief of Defense’s Staff is preparing to counter any movement from the opposition."

7. According to the privately-owned daily, Le Matin d’Abidjan, "President Gbagbo seriously warns agitators, whose actions could destabilize the country." Gbagbo, who was meeting with traders and businessmen over the weekend, reassured them to "go on with their normal business, because nothing will happen on October 31," reports the paper, close to the presdient.

8. Meanwhile, Nord-Sud Quotidien, a daily close to the opposition RDR party, runs a banner headline saying, "Street demonstrations will force Gbagbo to quit power."

9. Speaking to the privately-owned daily L’inter, Ivoirian reggae star, Alpha Blondy says, "The departure of President Gbagbo is not the solution to the crisis."

October 13, 2006

1. Division among African leaders over South African President M’Beki remaining the main mediator in the Ivorian crisis, and the announcement of the passing away of popular Ivorian artist Doug Saga -- recently visited by U.S. Ambassador Aubrey Hooks -- lead much of Friday’s Ivorian papers.

2. In a banner headline, Fraternité Matin, a state-owned daily noted for publishing balance reports, notices that African state leaders are not united re:the Ivorian crisis' outcome. For the paper, African leaders’ differing view points will benefit France, which has been a great supporter of the opposition to Gbabgo.

3. L’Inter, privately-owned and independent daily, reports that Gbagbo is preparing to appoint a new cabinet. For the paper, President Gbabgo has decided to deal directly with the rebellion block so that on October 31, a troika composed of Mr. Banny, rebel leader Soro Guillaume and Mr. Gbagbo will work toward a good resolution of the crisis. The paper quotes Gbabgo as saying that the Marcoussis Agreement is a failure. A headline also reports that in an interview with the Ivorian Labor party leader, Mr. Francis Wodie, he stated that suspending the Ivorian constitution is recommendable.

4. Le Temps, a privately-owned daily close to Laurent Gbabgo, headlines that Army Chief of Staff, General Mangou is in the sights of mercenaries sent by France to destabilize the Ivorian regime.

5. "Banny has failed, we must replace him" carries a banner headline in Notre Voie, a privately-owned daily close to the ruling FPI party. The paper quotes Mr. Affi N’Guessan, President of the FPI party, as stating that the Prime Minister mandate is over and that he should be replaced.

6. On the other hand, Le Front, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition Forces Nouvelles, asks in a banner headline "The Final Assault This Morning?" According to the paper, government forces were planning to attack Forces Nouvelles positions this morning.

7. Nord-Sud, another privately-owned daily close to the Forces Nouvelles, reveals that a helicopter is being tested by government forces, and some PUMA helicopters are being assembled. For the paper, it’s a sign of an eminent attack on the Forces Nouvelles positions.

8. Every paper gave final tribute to the popular artist Doukouré Moustapha Amidou, alias Douk Saga. The Jet Set singer could not recover from a very long sickness, that kept him away from his many fans. It's noted that during this difficult period, the U.S. Ambassador paid him a friendly visit some two months ago. Mr. Douk Saga died yesterday in neighboring Burkina Faso.

October 11, 2006

1. The Ivorian President’s meeting with ECOWAS Ambassadors yesterday, and continuing reactions to the Abuja summit on the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire, lead much of Wednesday’s Ivoirian press.

2. Fraternité Matin, a state-owned daily noted for publishing balance reports, quotes President Gbagbo as telling ECOWAS ambassadors: "we will take care of your nationals’ security." The Ambassadors were meeting with Mr. Gbagbo to discuss newspaper reports about eminent attacks on various ECOWAS citizen/communities in Cote d’Ivoire.

3. Le Matin d’Abidjan, a privately-owned daily close to the President, reveals in a banner headline that after being defeated at the Abuja summit, France Chirac is planning some trouble through the opposition coalition RHDP. The paper also quotes Affi N’Guessan, president of the ruling FPI political party, as telling the international community that the ultimate choice to make is "disarmament or war."

4. In the same vain, Soir Info, a privately-owned daily, quotes Ms. Dao Henriette, President of PDCI Women activists, as saying that by October 30, street demonstrations will run Gbagbo down.

5. Le Temps, a privately-owned daily close to President Gbagbo, claiming to have deciphered a code from Paris, warns that President Chirac is preparing a "Haitian scenario," which consists of kidnapping President Gbagbo. To successfully conduct the plan, the French troops in Cote d’Ivoire have recently received new armament and military equipment.

6. Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a privately-owned daily, reveals in a banner headline that President Gbagbo is preparing to appoint a new cabinet, and gives a list of current Ministers who will remain in it.

7. L’Inter, a privately-owned and independent daily, reports an African diplomat's view that while the President feared the ECOWAS summit, in the end Gbagbo has not lost any of his authority and has been given another year of transition as head of state.

October 10, 2006

1. Reactions to the October 6 ECOWAS summit on the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire in Abuja, Nigeria lead much of Wednesday’s Ivoirian press.

2. Le Front, a privately-owned daily, close to the opposition Forces Nouvelles carries a banner headlines as stating strategies to be used to run Gbagbo down. "As long as Gbagbo will be Head of State, there won’t be any peace in Cote d’Ivoire" quotes the paper.

3. Commenting the Abuja summit, Nord-Sud, a privately-owned daily close to the opposition, claims to know the content of the presidential discussions on the Ivoirian crisis. For the paper the Nigerian Obasanjo has warmed Gbagbo of not touching any Nigerian in Cote d’Ivoire, or this can resulted in an attack from Nigeria.

4. Le Courrier d’Abidjan, a privately-owned daily, notices that the "rebel bloc" calls on war. For the paper the opposition lobbying has not desperately have the Ivorian constitution suspended. Consequently the opposition predicts a chaos in Abidjan.

5. In the same order, Le Nouveau Reveil, a privately daily close to the opposition PDCI, carries a banner questioning whether the pair Gbagbo-Banny has been renewed. For the paper the pair might have been renewed for one more year. This decision is not welcomed by the opposition coalition RHDP.

6. "The Pair Gbagbo-Banny renewed for one more year" headlines Fraternité Matin, a state-owned daily noted of publishing balance reports. For the paper the Abuja summit has focused on the one-year transition with "reinforced power" to Prime Minister Banny.

7. Soir Info, privately-owned and independent daily otherwise analyses the pair Gbagbo-Banny to have reached a low point. For the paper the Abuja summit in recommending an extra year Banny with more executive power, the pair will turn to a confrontation.

8. Notre Voie, a privately-owned daily close to ruling FPI, denounces a violation of the freedom of the press by the Prime Minister Banny. For the paper Mr. Banny has instructed the Executive Director of the state-owned Fraternité Matin to send him the content of the news before they are published.

October 6, 2006

1. West African heads of state meet today in Abuja, Nigeria, for a key summit aimed at reviving the stalled peace process in Cote d’Ivoire, and Ivoirian papers ponder the outcome of the talks.

2. "Will a miracle come from Abuja," wonders a banner headline that runs across the privately-owned daily, Le Nouveau Reveil. According to the paper, close to the ex-ruling PDCI-RDA party, "The whole nation holds its breath," as ECOWAS leaders meet today to move forward the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire. Another question on the paper’s front page is whether "President Laurent Gbagbo will or will not attend the summit." The paper confirms that, "South African President Thabo Mbeki has been invited to the talks," but calls the African Union mediator "an unwanted guest."

3. Fraternite Matin, a state-owned daily, runs a banner headline entitled: "The transition after October 31 begins today." In an in-depth analysis, the paper, noted for balanced reports, notes that, "Each political camp in Cote d’Ivoire has its own recommendations on the way out of the political crisis."

4. According to the paper, "President Gbagbo – who is expected today in the Nigeria’s capital Abuja – is demanding, among other things, the departure of the French peacekeeping forces and their replacement by an African Union’s forces, the suppression of the confidence zone, and the formation of a new cabinet."

5. And, while the opposition groups – like the ex-ruling PDCI-RDA and opposition RDR parties – are pressing for "a new transitional arrangement with President Gbagbo as the head of State and Charles Konan Banny the Prime Minister vested with more powers than in the previous administration," explains the paper, "The New Forces want a) the Ivoirian leader to quit power, and b) a transitional integrated military commandment."

6. Le Front, a privately owned daily close to the New Forces, quotes the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan as saying, "We expect the ECOWAS summit in Abuja to come out with firm decisions." The paper hopes that, "The West African leaders will decide on the fate of President Gbagbo." According to the paper, "The management of RTI –the Ivoirian Broadcasting Corporation – has stepped up security measures in a bid to pre-empt any attack in case the security situation deteriorates."

7. Le Temps, a daily close to President Gbagbo, discloses what it calls "Chirac’s three blueprints to eliminate Gbagbo." "The plan," the paper suggests, seeks among other things, "to prevent President Gbagbo from coming back home after attending the Abuja summit."

8. According to the privately-owned daily, Soir Info, "News that President Mbeki will attend the ECOWAS summit has changed the original plan of the regional body." The paper suggests that, "The African Union mediator will have the opportunity to present a detailed report on the peace process, and that could help change decisions in favor of his Ivoirian counterpart." The paper also reports that, "The Ivoirian main opposition parties will not attend the summit."

9. Speaking on the front-page of the privately-owned daily, Nord-Sud Quotidien, the Speaker of the Ivoirian Parliament, Mamadou Koulibaly, warns that, "If ECOWAS suspends the Ivoirian Constitution, this will trigger an uprising." The paper, close to the opposition RDR, reports that, "The UN Secretary General has warned the Chairman of the ruling FPI party, Pascal Affi N’Guessan, after he threatened to attack French peacekeeping forces and foreigners living in Cote d’Ivoire." The paper quotes the French Defense Minister, Michelle Alliot-Marie saying, "We won’t let ourselves to be intimidated."

10. As the ECOWAS summit on Cote d’Ivoire is scheduled for today, "The FPI has a message to West African leaders," says a prominent story on the front page of Notre Voie, a daily owned by the ruling party. The paper quotes a statement issued by the party as saying, "You [ECOWAS leaders] have to take decisions that support democracy."