September 29, 2008

The Ivorian military forces' revolt over the weekend and the voters’ registration exercise underway in Cote d’Ivoire, in the run-up to the presidential elections are the major news in today's Ivorian papers. Some papers commented on the US presidential candidates’ first debate.  

1. L’Inter (an independent daily) reported on the military mutinies over the weekend in two major cities; Yamoussoukro (capital city) and Daoukro (Centre East). The paper reports that the mutineers requested payment of back pay of their allowance, called "Haut les Coeurs" which represents a motivating fee (90,000 CFA) to the loyal combatants at the time of war. After several months of non- payment, soldiers violently paraded in Yamoussoukro and Daoukro to claim their allowance.

On the same subject, Soir Info (an independent daily) claims to know what really happened. The paper reported that there were "48 hours of terror", and that some military officers were illegally confined and some civilians wounded. According (Notre Voie, a daily close to the ruling party FPI), the demonstrators were arrested and taken to the military jail in Abidjan for further investigations. 
 
(Le Patriote, a daily close to the opposition) revealed that 76 soldiers were arrested following the mutinies. The paper reported that mutineers wanted to speak to the First Lady, Simone Gbagbo and/or Mamadou Koulibaly, the President of the Ivorian Parliament to address their concerns regarding the "Haut les Coeurs" payment.  (Le Jour Plus, an independent daily close to the opposition) reported that mutineers felt abused by the chiefs. They threatened to keep on demonstrating if their needs are not addressed.

2. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) released the paper's interview with Beugre Mambe, President of the Ivorian Independent Electoral Commission. In the interview, Mr. Mambe explained the electoral procedures and the related documentations necessary for Ivorians to participate in the forthcoming elections.

On the US presidential elections, L’Inter (an independent daily) reported on the presidential debate between Senator Obama and Senator McCain that took place on September 26, 2008. The paper reported that 49% of those polled said that they would vote for Senator Obama. (Soir Info, an independent daily) reported that Senator Obama wants to maximize his advantage over his challenger Senator McCain after the first debate.

                                                                  

September 26, 2008

The voters’ registration exercise underway in Cote d’Ivoire, in the run-up to the presidential elections, was a major issue in today’s Ivorian press. Dailies also commented on President Laurent Gbagbo’s plan to amend the country’s Constitution. The role of the Lebanese businessmen in the Ivorian economy; the trial of people suspected for their involvement in the toxic waste scandal and the state of the media, were the other major issues in today’s newspapers.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A prominent story on the front page of this paper said that the voters’ registration exercise, which is actually underway throughout the country, will not be extended. According to the paper, the decision was taken by the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), the body in charge of conducting the coming elections in Cote d’Ivoire. The paper quoted one of the Vice-presidents of the CEI, Dr. Fatoumata Traore-Diop, who said "Those who will miss this opportunity will have to wait for many years to obtain their identity papers." Madame Traore-Diop was speaking at a civic education campaign for women.

2. In a related development, a report in Fraternite Matin said that "more than 3,500 persons have been enrolled since the launching of the registration exercise on September 15." According to the paper, this was announced by the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) on September 25 2008. During a press briefing yesterday, UNOCI’s spokesperson, Hamadoun Toure, also announced that the mission is providing logistic support in connection with the voters’ registration exercise. The paper also reported that alongside the registration exercise, the CEI and SAGEM – the French group in charge of the identification program – have started training identification agents; the paper said 331 agents will be trained.

3. President Gbagbo’s plan to revise Cote d’Ivoire’s Constitution continued to trigger commentaries in the dailies. Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) quoted an Ivorian law professor, Ouraga Obou, who said "Any Constitution has to ensure national cohesion." L’inter (an independent daily) pointed out that the decision by the president to amend the Constitution is evidence that "he has learned a lesson after the war in Cote d’Ivoire." The paper proposed that, in addition to Article 35 on the eligibility rules that the president plans to amend, "the amendment should also include Articles 38 and 39 relating to the power management when the country is facing a serious crisis."

4. The role of the Lebanese businessmen in the Ivorian economy was a subject of a two-page report and analysis in Fraternite Matin. Estimated at 60,000 people (about 0.3 per cent of Cote d’Ivoire’s total population), the Lebanese community, the paper said, constitutes "a heavyweight" in the country’s economic development. According to the paper, this was announced yesterday in Abidjan during a conference organized by the Lebanese businessmen in Cote d’Ivoire. The report further said the Lebanese are investing in many sectors including insurance, banking, housing and health.

5. In another development, Fraternite Matin said that the trial of 13 people charged with involvement in the 2006 toxic waste scandal in Cote d’Ivoire is set to go ahead on September 29. According to the paper, the 13 people are charged with "poisoning or complicity to poison" in the illicit dumping of 500 tons of toxic waste across more than a dozen open-air rubbish dumps around the commercial capital, Abidjan.

6. In a related development, a front-page story in Le Nouveau Reveil said that three French journalists were briefly detained yesterday by a public health squad in Abidjan, when they were visiting a site where toxic wastes were dumped two years ago. According to the paper, the three reporters, who work with TF1 – a French international TV network – were later released after the intervention of the Ivorian Communication Minister, Ibrahim Sy Savane. The paper also reported that the BBC has launched two transmitters in the Ivorian political capital Yamoussoukro and in Bouake – the former stronghold of the New Forces. According to the paper, listeners can now tune to BBC on FM 97.7 and FM 93.9, respectively in Yamoussoukro and Bouake.

Media Coverage of Embassy Activities

Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) briefly reported that the DCM; Cynthia Akuetteh, on September 24 organized a dinner for Muslim women in Cote d’Ivoire. The positive story said that this invitation showed "her commitment to respect and honor the religion and traditions of other people."

September 25, 2008

Reports in today’s Ivorian newspapers said that President Laurent Gbagbo called for the revision of the Constitution "to reinforce peace and social cohesion" in this West African country. The electoral process was also a major topic in today’s dailies. The newspapers reported on other issues including, the discovering of toxic wastes and efforts underway in the West African sub region to fight the avian flu.

1. "Reinforcement of peace and social cohesion: Gbagbo calls for the revision of the Constitution," said a banner headline in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily). The paper reported that President Laurent Gbagbo, who was addressing a political meeting yesterday in Abidjan, promised "to fight against any sections of the fundamental law that could lead to conflicts." The revision, President Gbagbo reportedly told the gathering will "particularly focus on the Article 35 of the Constitution relating to the eligibility rules for the Presidency of the Republic." The paper further quoted the president as saying that the revision would be effected through a referendum in respect of the Article 126 of the Constitution that was adopted by referendum in July 2000. The paper went on to publish excerpts of the referred clauses that say: "The revision of the Constitution shall be definitive only after having been approved by referendum with an absolute majority of the votes cast. It shall be obligatory to submit to referendum a bill or private bill concerning the election of the President of the Republic, the exercise of the presidential mandate, the vacancy of the President of the Republic and the revision process of the Constitution."

2. Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) carried a banner headline reading "At long last President Gbagbo has admitted that our Constitution is bad." The paper quoted President Gbagbo as saying: "After the war, we need to review our Constitution through referendum… in order to have a Constitution that unites all the children of Cote d’Ivoire."

3. Regarding the date of the coming presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire, L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) quoted President Gbagbo saying that "We need to get ready to go to poll at any time." Meanwhile, a prominent story on the front page of Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) said that it is "technically impossible" for the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) to complete the voters’ registration exercise within 45 days as a recent decree said. According to the paper, a decree signed by President Gbagbo on September 4 set the registration exercise to begin on September 15 and to be completed on October 30 this year. The paper believed that the deadline for this exercise is "very short", and therefore called on President Gbagbo to sign another decree to extend the program.

4. In a prominent story, L’inter (an independent daily) told readers that the leadership of the New Forces, the former Ivorian rebel movement, is rocked by what it called "a profound malaise." The paper suggested that the recent calls within the movement for "cohesion" clearly show that there is an in-fighting among the movement’s military commanders. The paper also indicated that the recent arrest of some former fighters suspected of taking "actions to destabilize the New Forces and to assassinate certain New Forces’ leaders was a bad solution to the real problems" facing the former rebel movement.

5. Fraternité Matin (a State-owned daily) reported that a pollutant product having seemingly the same characteristics of the toxic wastes dumped by a ship in Abidjan in August 2006 has been discovered in the central city of M’Bahiakro. According to the paper the announcement was made by Dr. Kouadio Kpli, the Mayor of the city. The mayor reportedly revealed that there are four different sites where the toxic products were dumped. The mayor was also quoted as saying that 300 persons, who have been intoxicated, are now admitted in a hospital. He called on the government to take urgent measures to get the city rid of these products. A report on the same issue in Soir Info (an independent daily) said that the population in Yopougon went on rampage yesterday to protest against the dumping of toxic wastes in their area. According to Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI RDA) a truck that was suspected to have dumped the toxic products in Yopougon has been impounded by the CECOS – a security unit in Abidjan.

6. On another issue, Fraternite Matin reported that experts from West African countries meeting in Abidjan have recommended that swift measures be taken to fight the avian flu pandemic in the sub region. The recommendations include, among other things, the elaboration of norms that would help ensure bio-security in poultry farms.

Media Coverage of Embassy Activities

The Ivorian News Agency (AIP) published a story on its web site saying that the DCM; Cynthia Akuetteh, yesterday organized a dinner for Muslim women in Cote d’Ivoire. The positive story said that this invitation showed "her commitment to respect and honor the religion and traditions of other people." In a separate story, the state-owned news agency positively reported on a DVC program organized September 23, 2008 by the U.S. Embassy on the topic: "The Role of the Press in a Democracy and in Covering Elections". This conference was a subject of prominent story in L’inter (an independent daily). RTI-TV1 (the state-owned television network) also carried footage of the program highlighting the speaker’s message inviting journalists to balance their stories and to stick to the facts.

September 24, 2008

The decision by the authorities in Cote d’Ivoire to set up a new cocoa management committee to oversee the cocoa and coffee industry continued to dominate today’s news reports. Papers also announced that the European Union has provided approximately $ 36 million in grant funds to Cote d’Ivoire in support of the peace process. The ban of Chinese milk products in Cote d’Ivoire and a project aimed at extending the Port of Abidjan, were the other major issues in today’s papers.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported in a front-page story, that Mr. Anoh N’Guessan, the Chairman of the new cocoa management committee overseeing operations gave assurance that "The cocoa and coffee industry has not been taken from the producers." The new cocoa and coffee board director said this during a hand-over ceremony held yesterday in Abidjan. According to the paper, Mr. Anoh N’Guessan said the new management includes a committee of experts. Other entities , including the Cocoa and Coffee Regulatory Authority, the Coffee and Cocoa Exchange, the Fund for the Development and Promotion of Activities of Coffee and Cocoa Producers, and the Fund for Regulation and Control, are not "completely suspended and that they will continue to function." The Chairman of the new cocoa management committee however explained that these organizations are "just provisionally suspended from carrying out any activities for seven months" and that "during this time, the new board will carry out profound reforms aimed at improving their performance"

2. Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party): A front-page story in this paper said that eight years after disbanding the CAISTAB designed by the late President Felix Houphouet Boigny. According to the paper, about 80 per cent of the members sitting in the new management committee were former members of the CAISTAB. The paper went on to conclude that the eight years that saw the creation of bodies, including the Cocoa and Coffee Regulatory Authority, the Coffee and Cocoa Exchange, the Fund for the Development and Promotion of Activities of Coffee and Cocoa Producers, and the Fund for Regulation and Control to take charge of the industry, were just "a mess." [NOTE: CAISTAB (Caisse de Stabilisation des Prix des Produits Agricoles) was established in 1963 by the government of the late President Felix Houphouet Boigny, and was tasked to help stabilize the prices of coffee and cocoa commodities, and to ensure that producers have stable and consistent revenues.

3. On the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire, Fraternite Matin reported that the European Union has provided a $ 36 million grant to Cote d’Ivoire in support of this program. The report said that the grant is to support, among other things, programs promoting social cohesion through out the country. In a separate story, the paper said the U.N. Secretary General Special Representative in Cote d’Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, welcome the successful start of the identification program. According to the paper, Mr. Choi, however, expressed concerns about the delay in the start up of the program, which is planned to be completed within 45 days.

4. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party): In a prominent story, the paper denounced what it called "a scandal in the voters’ registration exercise" and accused SAGEM – the French company in charge of the identification program – for organizing "fraud" on behalf of the RDR, the party led by Ivorian opposition leader Alassane Dramane Ouattara.

5. A day after Ivorian authorities banned all milk products imported from China and promised to analyze existing stocks; Fraternite Matin carried a banner headline saying that consumers are finding it difficult to identify the contaminated products. In a separate development, the paper reported that a project designed to extend the Port of Abidjan was presented September 22, 2008 to Dutch businessmen.

6. A prominent report in the front page of Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) said that 250 persons have been contaminated by new toxic wastes, which were dumped in the central city of M’Bahiakro.

Media Coverage of Embassy Activities

Soir Info (an independent daily), Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) and Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) positively reported on a DVC program organized September 23, 2008 by the U.S. Embassy on the topic: "The Role of the Press in a Democracy and in Covering Elections". The reports emphasized ARS-Paris speaker, George Kazolias’s message inviting journalists to balance their stories and to stick to the facts.

RTI-TV1 (the state-owned television network) yesterday carried footage on the Book of the Month program organized on September 18, 2008 by the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan. The positive reported included voices of participants who highlighted the importance of good relationship as a catalyst of partnership and mutual understanding. yesterday carried footage on the Book of the Month program organized on September 18, 2008 by the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan. The positive reported included voices of participants who highlighted the importance of good relationship as a catalyst of partnership and mutual understanding.

September 23, 2008

Today’s news reports said that Cote d’Ivoire has established a new cocoa management committee to oversee the functions of four institutions that were in charge of the cocoa and coffee industry. The papers also reported on the current peace process; the Ivorian government's decision to ban the import of Chinese milk; campaign against small arms in Cote d’Ivoire and the case of the French freelance journalist Jean-Paul Ney, who was arrested recently on charges of threatening national security.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): "My role is to restore confidence in the cocoa and coffee industry," the paper quoted Mr. Anoh N’Guessan, the Chairman of the new cocoa management committee to oversee operations in this key industry. The paper described the setting up of this committee as "the mother of all reforms." The paper quoted a public statement, which said "with a renewable, seven-month mandate, the committee will replace several cocoa oversight bodies, including the Cocoa and Coffee Regulatory Authority, the Coffee and Cocoa Exchange, the Fund for the Development and Promotion of Activities of Coffee and Cocoa Producers, and the Fund for Regulation and Control." According to the paper, Mr. N’Guessan described his responsibility as "a heavy task."

2. The decision by the Ivorian authorities to disband the old bodies in charge of the cocoa and coffee industry was also a subject of front-page stories in pro and anti-government dailies. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) called the move "a U-turn" and published the full text of an ordinance establishing the new cocoa management committee. Le Matin d’Abidjan (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said: "Gbagbo has put an end to the anarchy, and put in place a team of technocrats." "Gbagbo has kicked out the farmers," wrote Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition). Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition) accused President Gbagbo for appointing "his friends" to manage the cocoa industry. Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) suggested that the ongoing shake-up in the cocoa and coffee industry has virtually "shattered the dreams" of Bedie [Cote d’Ivoire’s former president who is now the leader of the opposition PDCI-RDA party]. According to the paper, Henri Kassi Amouzou, one of the cocoa managers, who have been detained on corruption charges, was "considered as one of the financiers of Bedie’s party."

3. On the presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire, L’inter (an independent daily) suggested that President Gbagbo is preparing to take his opponents by surprise. The paper commented that the choice of Gbagbo’s campaign director for these coming elections would be determinant for his victory. While speculations are abound on who would lead the Ivorian President’s campaign, the paper suggested that Michel Amani N’Guessan, the Security Minister in the current administration or the Chairman of the Economic and Social, Laurent Dona Fologo, is likely to play the role.

4. A front-page story in Fraternite Matin said that the government in Cote d’Ivoire has banned the import of Chinese milk products. According to the paper, the decision was taken following reports that contaminated Chinese milk killed children and sickened more than 50,000 others in far away China.

3. On other issues, Fraternite Matin also reported that RASALAO-CI, the Cote d’Ivoire’s chapter of a West African network fighting the proliferation of light and small arms in the sub region has launched a campaign aimed at sensitizing civic groups. According to the paper, the campaign also seeks, among other things, to encourage governments in the region to ratify the Convention on light and small arms.

4. A front-page story in L’inter said that the French freelance journalist Jean-Paul Ney, who was arrested recently in Cote d’Ivoire on charges of threatening national security, had attempted suicide. The journalist was arrested in January this year after a video footage showed him in an alleged coup preparation involving exiled army sergeant Ibrahim Coulibaly. The video was first seen on the Internet. According to the paper, Jean-Paul Ney is to appear in court next month.

Media Coverage of Embassy Activities

Le Temps: The paper briefly reported that the second edition of "American Week" program was launched last Sunday in Bouake – the stronghold of the former rebel movement in Cote d’Ivoire. The report said that DCM, Cynthia Akuetteh presided over the ceremony.

Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) carried a pre-event story announcing a DVC program organized September 23, 2008 by the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan on the topic: "The Role of the Press in a Democracy and in Covering Elections." This event was well attended.

September 22, 2008

A meeting between the Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, and the military leadership of the New Forces over the weekend was a subject of front-page story in many Ivorian newspapers today. Pro and anti-government newspapers continued to carry reactions on whether to review the Ouagadougou Political Agreement or not. Dailies also commented on the resignation of the South African President Thabo Mbeki, who was a mediator in the Cote d’Ivoire peace process underway.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A front-page story in this paper said that the leader of the New Forces-turn Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, met with the New Forces’ military leadership over the weekend. The paper quoted the Commander of the New Forces Armed Forces, General Soumaila Bakayoko, as saying that the "close door meeting" focused on issues regarding the ranks of the former rebels and the unity within the New Forces. General Bakayoko reportedly said that these key subjects, including the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, will form the agenda of another conclave to be organized by the New Forces. The paper did not announce the date of the next meeting.

2. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a pro-opposition daily): The paper carried a prominent story saying that the former rebels rallied behind their leader Guillaume Soro and supported the Ouagadougou Political Agreement in a bid "to stop rumors of split within the New Forces." According to the paper, the meeting between Guillaume Soro and his men over the weekend in Bouake – the former New Forces’ stronghold – was aimed at boosting the peace process that will lead to the general elections in Cote d’Ivoire. The paper went on to welcome the decision by the Ivorian Prime Minister to discuss with the former fighters, adding that this initiative would "pave the way for free, transparent and peaceful elections."

3. Reporting on the meeting between the New Forces leader and the former rebels, L’inter (an independent daily) suspected that "the New Forces were entangled in a leadership dispute." In a related development, Le Matin d’Abidjan (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) commented that the meeting enabled "Soro to restore order within the New Forces." Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) called this gathering "a meeting of truth between Soro and his men." The paper further quoted the spokesperson of the New Forces, Sidiki Konate, as saying "Those who think that the future of the New Forces hangs in balance have misled themselves." A New Forces’ military commander also reportedly said: "We’re united; we will never shot at each other."

4. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (a privately-owned daily): The issue of whether to review the Ouagadougou Political Agreement or not was the major subject in this daily. The paper carried a picture of Charles Ble Goude, the leader of the Young Patriots (a movement supportive of President Laurent Gbagbo) and quoted him as saying, "The debate over the revision of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement could jeopardize the implementation of the accord." Ble Goude, who was speaking over the weekend at a rally in the West-southern city of San Pedro, reportedly said that "this debate is useless," adding: "The failure of this agreement could be interpreted as the failure of Gbagbo." He also used this opportunity to appeal to all Ivorians "to give time to SAGEM – a French group in charge of the identification program --; the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) and the National Institute of Statistics (INS), to do their job."

5. Fraternite Matin reported that 200 gendarmes participated in a 7-day training designed to prepare them to ensure security in Cote d’Ivoire during the forthcoming presidential elections. The training was organized by CECOS – a unit set up by the Ivorian authority to ensure security in Abidjan and its surroundings. "The training included, among other things, mock exercises on how to ensure security during an election," the paper quoted an instructor as saying.

6. Regarding the coming elections in Cote d’Ivoire, Fraternite Matin announced that potential voters can check their manes on the voters’ registry through their cell phone. According to the paper, this innovation was announced by the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI).

7. On the resignation of the South African President Thabo Mbeki, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) said that "Gbagbo’s sponsor has been removed from power." According to the paper, Thabo Mbeki, a one time mediator in the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire, was involved in what the paper called "scandals" in his country. The paper published a commentary from Ambassador Jean Vincent Zinsou – an Ivorian political analyst – who reportedly described the resignation of President Mbeki as "a humiliation." However, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said on Mbeki’s resignation that "An apostle of African renaissance has quitted the scene."

September 19, 2008

Today, pro and anti-government Ivorian newspapers reflected on the military and political conflict in Cote d’Ivoire for the past 6 years. Specifically, the dailies noted the "causes" of the crisis, the accomplishment of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, the status of the economy during this period and the obstacles impacting the peace process. The papers also reported on NDI's forum on youth and elections; as well as on cocoa exports. One daily, TV and radio reported on Ambassador Nesbitt's signing of $90,000 in grant agreements to support human rights work in Cote d'Ivoire.

1. A headline in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily)) said, "A Nation was born from the ashes of the crisis." The report is in reference to the September 19, 2002 military uprising that plunged Cote d’Ivoire, once a baton of stability in the West Africa, in a full-scale rebellion. In a two-page analysis, the paper saluted the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, which, according to the paper, has demonstrated "the maturity and capacity of Ivorians, and the people of Africa in general, to resolve their own crisis." The paper noted that the Ivorian model of conflict resolution has already been successfully tested in Kenya and Zimbabwe, after it was endorsed during the Summit on Conflict Prevention, Management, and Resolution this year in New York.

2. In related development, Fraternite Matin is optimistic that the Ouagadougou Political Agreement would pave the way for Cote d’Ivoire’s economical revival. In a prominent story, Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) commented that despite the crisis Cote d’Ivoire’s economy remains strong. The paper further paid tribute to the Young Patriots (a movement supportive of President Laurent Gbagbo) saying "the state institutions are still in force thanks to the mobilization of the patriots."

3. On the peace process, L’inter (an independent daily) said that that "the causes, which led to the war, are yet to be resolved." The paper said the question of the national identity documentation was one of the pretexts for the war, adding "up to now the bomb has not yet been defused, as the identification program that was designed to provide national identity documents to Ivorians has just got underway." A prominent story in Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) said the concept of "Ivoirité" was the cause of the war in Cote d’Ivoire.

4. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily): With pictures of the key players in the six-year conflict, the paper called for the end of the crisis. Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) questioned President Gbagbo’s willingness to restore peace in Cote d’Ivoire. The paper called President Gbagbo "a maverick politician," who resorts to a "double standard" posture as a political ruse.

5. As Cote d’Ivoire celebrates the sixth anniversary of the September 19, 2002 military uprising, Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) revisited the death of the Ivorian former military leader, General Robert Guei, who was killed during the event. The paper quoted a leading member of the UDPCI – the party of the late military ruler – saying, "The Roman Catholic Church knows the secret behind the death of General Guei."

6. Regarding Cote d’Ivoire’s electoral process, Fraternite Matin reported that the National Democratic Institute (NDI) yesterday organized a forum on the topic: "The role of the youth for a successful electoral process in Cote d’Ivoire." according to the paper, the conference brought together about 20 youths drawn from the country’s major political parties and civic groups. In a related development, the paper said that a presidential hopeful is calling for the elimination of the 20 million FCFA deposit (about $44,000) requirement by presidential candidates for the next elections.

7. On bilateral issues, Fraternite Matin reported on the visit of the former French Foreign Minister, Hubert Vedrine to Cote d’Ivoire. Addressing a conference on Europe-Africa relationship, the French minister called for "a new relation" between the two continents. This relation, he said must focus on "partnership."

8. On race issues in the US, a report in Fraternite Matin said that the history of African-Americans was the topic of discussion yesterday during a forum organized by this newspaper. The forum, which brought together Ivorian intellectuals and journalists, also looked at the challenges facing African-Americans in the management of power in the United States and the tasks ahead for the Democrat candidate Barrack Obama in case he wins the upcoming presidential elections. The reports also said that "in search of their identity in the United States, African-Americans have been referred to as Negros; Niggers; Blacks; Black Americans and Afro Americans."

9. On business issues, Le Jour Plus said that cocoa exports from Cote d’Ivoire have been halted, as coffee and cocoa exchange workers (BCC) maintained their indefinite strike. According to the paper strikers are demanding the payment of three months salary areas.

Media Coverage of Embassy Activities

Fraternite Matin reported on the $90,000 in grant support to four Human Rights NGOs from the US government. Ambassador Nesbitt signed the agreements with the four Human Rights NGOs on September 16, 2008. Also,RTI-TV2 (a state-owned TV) carried footage of the Ambassador and grantees in its September 17 news bulletin; Radio Cote d’Ivoire (state-owned radio) and Radio Nationale Catholique also reported on this event.

September 18, 2008

A pro-opposition newspaper today reported that Cote d’Ivoire’s government forces have violated a U.N. arms embargo imposed on Cote d’Ivoire. Reports also said that La Licorne – the French troops based in Cote d’Ivoire – is to organize mock exercises in order to ensure security during the forthcoming presidential elections. News that the former Ivorian military General Mathias Doue is likely to stand for presidency generated comments in a pro-government daily. The First Lady’s call to review of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement as well as a European Union’s report on the cocoa and coffee industry in Cote d’Ivoire, were also major stories in today’s dailies.

1. Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) had an "exclusive" report on "Heavy weapons are being convoyed to the country [Cote d’Ivoire] via neighboring Guinea-Bissau." The paper suggested that the U.N. Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) "must open its eyes," because "President Laurent Gbagbo has never respected the November 2004 arms embargo imposed on Cote d’Ivoire by U.N Resolution 1572." The paper described Guinea-Bissau as "an axis of evil," which together with Guinea-Conakry have become what it called "the transit for illicit trading in arms and ammunitions destined to Cote d’Ivoire."

2. Reporting on the security for the scheduled November 30 presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire, Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said La Licorne – the French troops based in Cote d’Ivoire – is to begin ten-day mock military exercises in the western region of the country. The announcement about the exercises, which should begin on September 20, was in a public statement issued by La Licorne in Abidjan. According to the paper the statement said, "In a bid to ensure security during the elections, the impartial forces [U.N. blue helmets and French troops] need to undergo training… It’s in response to this that La Licorne will carry out mock military exercises on September 20-30 in the western region of Cote d’Ivoire."

3. In a front-page story, L’inter (a privately-owned daily) reported about speculations on the dangers that may disrupt the scheduled presidential elections if the disarmament program was not well conducted. The paper said that peace in Cote d’Ivoire after the elections depends on the success of the disarmament program. The paper therefore appealed to the officials to take the necessary measures in order to finance the program and to put in place mechanisms to monitor the exercise.

4. A day after news reports that the former Chief of Defense staff of Cote d’Ivoire, General Mathias Doue is likely to contest the coming presidential elections, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) expressed doubt that the former military commander could be a good candidate. The paper was reacting to a statement made yesterday by the leader of the Ivorian Renaissance Congress (CRI) that "only General Doue can restore hope to Ivorians in this Cote d’Ivoire that has been disfigured by years of crises."

5. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition): A prominent story in this paper said that "the activism of the Ivorian First Lady can endanger the coming elections." The paper pointed out that the recent rhetoric of Mrs Gbagbo demanding the review of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement could "weaken efforts aimed at implementing the agreement."

6. Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party): This paper published a report on the cocoa and coffee industry in Cote d’Ivoire. Excerpts of the report by the European Union, said that "Ivorian cocoa and coffee producers have lost 50%t of their purchasing power." The paper also said that the producers cannot save money due to their difficult living conditions.

Media Coverage of Embassy Activities

Today, L’inter (an Ivorian privately-owned daily) reported on Ambassador Nesbitt's signing of four NGO grant agreements, worth $90,000 to support four Human Rights NGOs in Cote d'Ivoire. Yesterday, Soir Info reported on this US support for human rights work in Cote d'Ivoire.

September 17, 2008

The Ivorian First Lady and also vice president of the ruling Ivorian People’s Front (FPI), Simone Ehivet Gbagbo, remains in the media spotlight. Papers also reported on the future Cote d’Ivoire national army; allegations of massive arrests within the New Forces; and the whereabouts of suspects in the toxic waste scandal. On U.S.-Cote d’Ivoire bilateral issues, an Ivorian privately-owned daily today reported on Ambassador Wanda L. Nesbitt's signing of grant agreements, totaling $90,000, to support the work of human rights organizations in Cote d'Ivoire.

1. Soir Info (a privately-owned daily): A front-page story in this paper said that the Office of the Ivorian Prime Minister has responded to Mrs. Gbagbo after she proposed a review of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. The paper quoted the Prime Minister’s spokesperson, who said "Regarding any debate on the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, the Prime Minister wishes to have it mainly with the President of the Republic, Laurent Gbagbo, who signed the agreement and the second interlocutor, who happens to be President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso and mediator in the direct dialogue. Only these three actors are allowed to engage in any debate relating to the review of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement." According to the paper, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson further noted that "the Ouagadougou Political Agreement has already been subject to many reviews," and that "the official launching of the voters’ registration exercise on September 15 was evidence that the Ouagadougou Political Agreement is on track."

2. In a different story in support of the first Lady's comments, Soir Info reported on Roland Dagher's comment in which he said "The First Lady’s rhetoric was in response to the realities on the ground." Dagher is a member of the Social and Economic Council.

3. On the same subject, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) reported that President Blaise Compaore, the facilitator in the Ivorian peace process, is opposed to Mrs. Gbagbo’s call for the review of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. According to the paper, the Burkinabe president stated this when he presided over the meeting of the Committee overseeing the implementation of the Agreement. The meeting, which was held in Ouagadougou, the Burkinabe capital on September 15-16, focused on key issues, which included discussions of the composition of the future national army of Cote d’Ivoire.

4. More on the composition of the new army, a prominent story in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said that President Compaore proposed that 5,000 New Forces’ ex-combatants should join the army as opposed to the 10,000 demanded by the former rebel movement. According to the paper, reliable sources said that during the meeting of the Committee overseeing the implementation the agreement, the facilitator also demanded that President Gbagbo and his Prime Minister should make "concrete proposals" in order to resolve the questions relating to the grade of the New Forces’ soldiers.

5. The issue of the disarmament of the New Forces’ ex-combatants was a major story in Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party). According to the paper, President Laurent Gbagbo, who is expected in Bouake – the former New Forces’ stronghold – next week, will be meeting with the leadership of the former rebel movement in an attempt to reach a compromise on the questions relating to the disarmament.

6. On the alleged mass arrests within the New Forces, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) reported that some former combatants suspected to be close to Sergeant Ibrahim Coulibaly – a former rebel and arch-rival of Prime Minister Soro Guillaume – are incarcerated in the northern city of Seguela. The paper denounced what it called "witch-hunting," and appealed to the Prime Minister to take swift measures to put an end to "these harassments." On a different issue, Le Nouveau Reveil carried a commentary by Venance Konan – a well-known Ivorian freelance journalist and writer, who expressed concerns about the future of Cote d’Ivoire in case elections were not held on November 30 or December 15 this year.

7. Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition): A front-page story in this paper said that 13 persons, who have been indicted for their alleged involvement in the toxic waste scandal, have vanished. According to the paper, the suspects were granted bail and are scheduled to appear in court in Abidjan on September 29 this year. The paper said the 13 persons are to appear in court on charges of poisoning or aiding and abetting to poison. [NOTE: Two years ago 500 tones of toxic waste from an oil tanker were dumped in Abidjan at various sites in the open air. Sixteen people were reported killed and several thousands of persons were poisoned.]

Media Coverage of Embassy Activities

On U.S.-Cote d’Ivoire bilateral issues, Soir Info (an Ivorian privately-owned daily) reported on the $90,000 in grant support to four Human Rights NGOs from the US government. The grants are to support projects implemented by human rights organizations in Cote d'Ivoire. According to the paper, Ambassador Nesbitt, who signed the grant agreements with the NGOs on September 16, 2008, said that the projects to be supported by these grants will have a significant impact on the target populations.

September 16, 2008

The official launching of the voters’ registration in Cote d’Ivoire on September 15, 2008 was the major news item in pro and anti-government newspapers, today. The call by the Ivorian First Lady and vice president of the ruling Ivorian People’s Front (FPI), Simone Ehivet Gbagbo to review the Ouagadougou Political Agreement dominated commentaries in today’s dailies. The papers also reported on government’s reforms in its efforts to revive the coffee and cocoa industry.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A prominent story in this paper said that the voters’ registration exercise, which began yesterday, would be completed in forty-five days. The report said the operation was launched yesterday in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire’s political capital, by President Laurent Gbagbo. According to the paper, during the launching ceremony, President Gbagbo said "Today our heart is full of joy, as we will have the voters’ registers within 45 days." The Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, Robert Beugre Mambe, who was in attendance, reportedly projected that "about nine millions of Ivorians will be counted." The report further said that the U.N Secretary General’s Special Representative in Cote d’Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, welcomed the beginning of the identification program, saying, "it’s is the corner stone" of the progress made in the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire.

2. In a commentary Fraternite Matin borrowed words from President Gbagbo’s declaration during the ceremony, where he reportedly said the voters’ registration is "a challenge." The paper then pointed out that the exercise would, not only allow nine million potential voters to have their voting cards, but they will also acquire their national identity cards. According to the paper, "the identification process will help resolve an old dispute that was used to justify the war that the country went through."

3. Reporting on the same event, L’inter (an independent daily) noted that the Ivorian former rebel leader-turn Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, was absent during the ceremony. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) questioned whether "Soro boycotted Gbagbo." Nord-Sud Quotidien on the other hand, reported on Meite Sindou, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson's rejection of allegations that the Prime Minister deliberately stayed away from the ceremony. According to the paper, Sindou said that the Prime Minister, who was fully involved in the preparation for this event, developed "a severe cold at the last minute."

4. A recent call made by the Ivorian First Lady and vice president of the ruling Ivorian People’s Front (FPI), Simone Ehivet Gbagbo to review the Ouagadougou Political Agreement was again a dominant issue in Fraternite Matin. The paper suggested that as the political compromise reached by the former belligerents is stuck on financial problems, Mrs Gbagbo is proposing what the paper called "a re-adjustment" of the peace deal. The paper carried the full text of the First Lady’s interview, which was granted to RFI – a French international radio network. In the interview Mrs. Gbagbo said, "The solutions contained in the Ouagadougou Political Agreement are too expensive."

5. On the possible delay of the presidential election, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) commented that the ruling party is preparing "an electoral hold-up." The paper further suggested recipes on "how to remove President Gbagbo from power in case the elections were not held on November 30." The paper also called President Gbagbo "Mugabe’s wannabe," adding that he [Gbagbo] has a penchant for Zimbabwe's president.

6. Criticizing the government’s reforms to revive the coffee and cocoa industry in Cote d’Ivoire, Le Nouveau Reveil commented that this decision has proven that "The ruling FPI party’s program designed to revamp the coffee and cocoa industry has failed."

7. In a related development, Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) said that cocoa producers have rejected the government’s reforms, and are threatening to embark on strike to paralyze the industry.

September 15, 2008

Today’s media reports said that Cote d’Ivoire’s First Lady, Simone Ehivet Gbagbo called for the review of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement signed in March 2007 between the President Laurent Gbagbo and former rebel leader Guillaume Soro. Papers also reported on reactions over President Gbagbo's proposed a new date for presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire. The dailies also informed readers that the long awaited population identification process will begin today.

1. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (a privately-owned daily): This paper carried on its front-page a picture of the Ivorian First Lady, quoting her: "We need to review the Ouagadougou Political Agreement." According to the paper, Mrs. Gbagbo made this statement yesterday when she addressed a political rally in the central city of Bouake – former stronghold of the New Forces, where she also told the gathering "we’ll meet Guillaume Soro [the Ivorian Prime Minister and leader of the New Forces] once we get back to Abidjan to work out a plan in the connection with the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement."

2. The First Lady was also a subject of a prominent story in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily). In a front-page story, the paper said that Mrs Gbagbo has proposed "a new pact" with the New Forces "to speed up the peace process" underway. As in the other reports, the paper repeated the First Lady's mention that "there is a need to review the Ouagadougou Political Agreement in order to find solutions that suit our pockets, our budget." In a separate story, the paper quoted the First Lady's comments on the Young Patriots [a movement supportive of President Gbagbo]. She said, "I salute the Patriots of Cote d’Ivoire," adding: "Those who criticized the Patriots were those do not love Cote d’Ivoire…"

3. In a separate story, Fraternite Matin also informed readers that the population identification process will begin, today; it will be launched by President Gbagbo and his Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro. According to the paper, the population identification operation is a "crucial stage" in the ongoing electoral process, because it will allow for the establishment of voters’ register, which will be used to issue identity cards for potential voters in the coming presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire. According to the paper, the announcement was made over the weekend by the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), the body tasked to conduct the polls. The paper further published the full text of a public statement referring to the beginning of the identification process. In a related development, L’inter (an independent daily) announced that the voters’ rolls will be published on November 15, 2008.

4. President Gbagbo’s announcement that the first round of the presidential elections will be held on 30 November or 15 December this year was a subject of a prominent story in Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition). The paper noted that through this proposal, the Ivorian leader has rejected the bills from the electoral body on the date of the polls. The paper went on to quote one of the vice-presidents of the electoral commission who said: "We [the Independent Electoral Commission] have not yet made any proposal regarding the date of the polls."

5. Commenting on President Gbagbo’s decision to delay the presidential elections to 15 December this year, Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) said that the Ivorian president has again taken his opponents by surprise. Talking about the presidential hopefuls in the run-up to the forthcoming presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire, the paper informed readers that the Ivorian former Army Chief, General Mathias Doue, has announced his intention to run for presidency.

6. Today’s Ivorian papers also talked about Lieutenant Colonel Oulatta Gahoudit Pierre, a former Ivorian military, who denied allegations against him for plotting to overthrow the regime in Cote d’Ivoire. According to Soir Info (an independent daily), Lieutenant Colonel Oulatta was trained in the United States.

September 12, 2008

The Ivorian newspaper’s today reported on the ongoing identification and peace processes; money laundering; and the commemoration of the 7^th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. 

1. “Soro and Choi launching the identification process in Ferke”. This is a headline story in L’Inter (an independent daily). The paper said that the Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Cote d’Ivoire, Young-Jin Choi will officially launch the identification process in Ferkessedougou (a city in northern Cote d’Ivoire) on Monday September 15, 2008. The paper further reported that the UN Mission in Cote d’Ivoire will participate in the launching of the identification process in Bouna, Dabou, Gagnoa, Grand-Bassam, Man, and Yamoussoukro. According to Hamadoun Toure, UN Spokesperson in Cote d’Ivoire, “This event confirms the irreversibility of the electoral process” and “represents a significant step to the conflict resolution.”
 
2. On the peace process, L’Inter (an independent daily) reported on the upcoming meeting of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement Evaluation Committee (CEA). According to the paper, the meeting is scheduled for Monday September 15^th to discuss military matters in the implementation of the peace process.  The paper noted that the disarmament of the militia and ex-combatants from the New Forces is yet to be completed.

3. On funding to promote the peace process, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) reported on the support from World Bank and Sweden. According to the paper, the World Bank initiated a pilot project called “Peace and Development Program," which is designed to create income-generating jobs for youth, especially war victims, as well as to promote entrepreneurship among Ivorian youth. The paper said that Sweden's Development Fund project is essentially targeted to the population in the central, northern and western regions of the country.

4. On money laundering, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said that the Ivorian Financial Information Management Committee (CENTIF) has officially launched its program to fight money laundering. According to the paper, the Commission was created to be the watchdog on financial crime, money laundering and terrorism subsidies. The paper also said that another mandate for the Commission is to prevent the use of the West African Economic and Monetary Union’s economic and financial organizations to launder money.   
 
5. Most Ivorian papers dedicated a story on the commemoration of the 7^th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in the US. Soir Info (an independent daily) reported on President Bush's  memorial dedication to victims of September 11, 2001 at the Pentagon. L’intelligent d’Abidjan's(an independent daily) report carried images of the damaged twin towers and said that all of New York paused for one minute at 12h46 GMT to mark the moment when the first plane hit one of the tours of the World Trade Center in September 11, 2001.  The paper also reported that White House spokesman, Dana Perino’s said that the fight against terrorism and the prosecution of the Al-Qaida leader will continue until he is brought to justice. L’Inter, reporting on the event focused on US presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama, who participated in a joint commemoration of the 7th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

September 11, 2008

The Coffee and cocoa industry issue; the peace process; the electoral and identification process; the register of births re-establishment; the Russia-Georgia conflict; the US presidential elections; and the hurricane that hit Texas were the major topics reported on by today’s Ivorian dailies.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): The newspaper
Reported on the coffee and cocoa industry network in a front page story declaring: “All of them may be dismissed” while listing the Ivorian coffee and cocoa management institutions (BCC, ACRCC, FRC, FPCC, and FGCCC).  The paper explained that the government will create an organization to temporary control the coffee and cocoa sector, following the problems due to embezzlement of funds from the network leaders.

2. Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) reported that in order to secure the 2008-2009 coffee and cocoa harvest, the Association of Producers planned to organize a seminar to sensitize the participants about the emergency of taking over the control of the sector. “The seminar will come out with great decisions,” said the president of the organization of coffee and cocoa trade unionists. 

3. Fraternite Matin reported that in the framework of the peace process, President Gbagbo received in the presidential palace, the populations from “Guiglo” and “Blolequin”, cities from western Cote d’Ivoire. The paper said President Laurent Gbabgo urged the Ivorian people to unite and defend their country regardless of who the president is.  Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) also reporting on the same meeting, pointed out that the president drew his visitors’ attention on the Ivorian citizens participation and the importance of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement in the peace process.
 
4. With respect to the identification process, Fraternite Matin said that the President of the Independent Electoral Commission, Robert Beugre Mambe and the presidents of the regional Electoral Commissions agreed after their strike claiming for financial support and appropriate accommodation during their training sessions.
   
5. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) provided an article saying that the companies which   transform and commercialize agricultural products may apply for support from a new investment funds of 50 billion CFA issued by South African investment companies, “Private Equity” and “Saktif”. According to the newspaper, the purpose is to stimulate African economic development through new growth opportunities in the agricultural sector.  

6. Notre Voie reporting on the Russia-Georgia conflict said that on Wednesday, a Georgian policeman was shot dead by Russian soldiers.  The paper carried on saying: “A Georgian police post came under fire from the Russian checkpoint at about 9:15 am (0515 GMT). The Russians fired two shots," explained the Interior Ministry spokesman to AFP.
  
7. Soir Info issued an article saying that through a radio announcement, Kuibiert Ibrahim, the Deputy Chief of the Minister of Justice explained the need to re-establish the register of births and how to go through the process. Reporting on Ibrahim’s comments, the article said that this operation was crucial in processing the identification and electoral documents in view of the upcoming elections.

 

8. Reporting on the US presidential elections, L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) quoted Obama in a headline story saying: “Obama: Lipstick on a pig.”  According to the paper Obama was poking fun of McCain and Palin referring to McCain presidential campaign speeches, promising to make “change.”

9. Reporting on the hurricane “Ike” in Texas, L’Inter (an independent daily) said that President George Bush declared an emergency and offered federal aid to evacuate the populations. 

September 10, 2008

The ongoing identification process; concerns about the presidential election deadline of November 30; the Prime Minister’s visit to France and the current US-Russia relationship were the main stories in today’s Ivorian newspapers.

1. On the identification and census process for the Ivorian presidential elections L’inter (an independent daily) reported on the delay and participants' complaints during the training session of the identification and census agents on September 9, 2008. According to the paper, participants complained about the lack of financial support. The Independent Electoral Commissioner, Beugre Mambe succeeded in calming them and explaining the purpose of the training, which is designed to build trainees' capacities in electoral and identification issues at the field level.       

 

 

2. On the likely postponement of the presidential election in Cote d'Ivoire, L’inter reported that it will be difficult and may be even impossible for the elections to be held as currently scheduled for November 30, for various reasons. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) reported on the Prime Minister’s private visit to Ouagadougou and France on the framework of the election schedule of November 30. According to the article, the Prime Minister's visit was to discuss the option of postponing the elections.

 

 

3. In a headline story, Soir Info (an independent daily) said, “The Ouagadougou Political Agreement is at risk.” According to the paper, on September 8, the Prime Minister, the former PDCI ruling party president, and the Minister of Interior representing the current FPI ruling party met with President Blaise Compaore, President of Burkina Faso to discuss the elections deadline of November 30, 2008. Also reporting on the election deadline, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the party) said in a headline story that   “The presidential primaries may be held in February 2009.”  
  
4. Reporting on international issues, L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) said “Bush is about to increase the military troops in Afghanistan”.  The paper explained that US President George W. Bush was preparing to reduce the United States armed forces by nearly 8,000 soldiers by early 2009 in Iraq, while reinforcing the military forces in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported on the United States - Russia “critical” relationship with the headline - “Is the cold war back?” The paper talked about concerns regarding the US support to Georgia and Russia's support to Venezuela. 

September 9, 2008

The Ivorian press continues to focus on the Ivorian presidential elections, the electoral process and the identification process.  The papers also reported on training for journalists on election coverage; the US presidential elections; and the Russia - Georgia conflict.

 

 

1. In a headline story, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said “The presidential elections are likely to be postponed. Compaore tries to convince the political players.” According to the paper, the weekly magazine Jeune Afrique in its edition No. 2847 of September 7 to 13, 2008, reported that Blaise Compaore, the President of Burkina Faso and facilitator of the Ivorian peace process, was trying to convince Ivorian political party leaders on the reality of the delay of the elections, while ensuring that the preparations for the elections continue.  The paper added that on September 2, the United Nations General Secretary was confidentially informed about the “impossibility” of meeting the election deadline of November 30, 2008. 

 

 

2. Reporting on the identification and census process, Fraternite Matin said that the institutions in charge of the identification operations are eager to speed up the election process. The paper further said that the registration process will start on September 15, 2008. According to the report, this information was announced after a joint meeting of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), the National Commission of the Identification Control (CNSI), the National Office of Identification (ONI), the National Statistics Institute (INS), and SAGEM Security.    

 

 

3. Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported that the National Trade Union of Private Journalists (SYNAPPCI) initiated a training session for journalists to empower their information management skills for election reporting. The training focused on information management techniques, the role of journalists in the consolidation of peace and democracy, and journalists' professional code of ethics. Fraternite Matin also reported on the same subject.

 

 

4. On international news, Fraternite Matin wrote about the real estate crisis in the United States.  The report focused on the American Treasury's decision to take over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two main funding and management agencies of US real estate loans. 

 

 

5. On the Russia-Georgia crisis, Fraternite Matin, reported in a headline story saying “Russia to withdraw from Georgia by October 1.”  According to the article, Russia’s President Dmitri Medvedev agreed to the withdrawal plan at a news conference following four hours of talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who holds the rotating European Union presidency. The same article was also reported by L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) which said in a headline story, “An agreement for Russia withdrawal from Georgia in a month.” L’inter reported that according to an announcement from the Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russia will establish diplomatic relationships with Georgia separatist territories - South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

 

 

6. L’inter (an independent daily) reported on the US presidential elections in a headline story saying, “John McCain over Obama according to the surveys.”  The paper explained that McCain leads Obama 50% versus 46% among those seen as most likely to vote according to the result of a USA Today/Gallup poll.

September 8, 2008

The meeting between the First Lady and the New Forces was the front-page story reported by the Ivorian newspapers today.  In addition, other major issues included the Ivorian presidential elections; the identification and census process; the World Bank and the United States aid to Africa; and the U.S. presidential elections.    
 
1. The meeting between Simone Gbagbo, the Ivorian First Lady, and the New Forces was at the head of today’s Ivorian dailies reports.  All of them reported that the two parties agreed that the meeting was satisfactory for it was the opportunity for them to franckly discuss about ways to definitely end up with the crisis. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily), reported on the New Forces’ spokesman’s comments in a headline story saying: “We are satisfied”. The article also quoted the First Lady stating that the meeting was extremely interesting and enriching. L’inter (an independent daily) also outlined the First Lady’s comments that the New Forces expect the government to help them find out solutions to deal with the difficulties they were facing in their efforts to settle the crisis. Soir Info (an independent daily)’s report headlined a story displaying: “The clash did not take place,” adding that the First Lady and the New Forces Spokesman discussed about essential issues relating the ending of the crisis. Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the opposition PDCI party) in a headline story quoted the First Lady saying: “We discussed about the proper implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement.” L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily)’s report on the same subject outlined that the discussion turned on the issues of disarmament, the integration of the volunteer teachers, and the Ouagadougou Political Agreement.  The New Forces spokesman said that a report will be provided to the Secretary for the implementation of initiatives to rapidly end the crisis. Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) quoted the First Lady saying: “It was an extremely interesting meeting,” just like Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party).

2. Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) published an article on the Representative of the United Nations Secretary General, Young-jiin Choi, visit to Ouagadougou in the framework of the identification process. According to the article, Mr. Choi declared that the success of the identification process will resolve a basic issue troubling Cote d’Ivoire for two decades. He also restated the UN  Mission commitment to support the Ivorian government. 

3. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party): Still on the identification process implementation, the daily issued a notice from the Independent Electoral Commission on a training session for the identification and census agents beginning Tuesday September 09.  Le Jour Plus also reported on the same subject. Soir Info also reported specifying that the identification and census process was due to start on September 15, 2008.

4. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): The paper reported on the World Bank support to the Ivorian coffee and cocoa industry. The article said that the World Bank Vice-president, Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili and the Ivorian Minister of Economy and Finance visited a “cocoa school” where farmers meet every other week to train in cocoa farming in Tiassale. According to the newspaper, Mrs. Obiageli declared that the World Bank was engaged in working with the government to better manage the coffee and cocoa industry in Cote d’Ivoire. 

5. In a separate article, the paper provided a story headlined: “15 billion CFA provided for funding African agro-industry”. Details from the article explained that a 100 million dollars (15 billion CFA) investment fund was created to support Sub-Saharan Africa’s agro-industry sector. According to the report, insurance and finance companies, and the WK Kellogg Foundation from the United States have already provided 40 million dollars (18 billion CFA) of the total funds.   

6. Reporting on the United States presidential elections Notre Voie provided an article saying that Palin the “rebel” attacked Obama’s teammate, Joe Biden. The paper reported on Palin’s speech during the Republican Convention saying that Senator Biden may boast of holding high responsibilities in Washington, but even his admirers did not qualify him as a change agent.

7. “To protest against the United States support to Georgia, Russia will carry out joint naval operations in Venezuela territorial waters,” said in a headline story Notre Voie. The paper went on saying that this was of a great importance because it was the first time it was being done.

8. Soir Info (an independent daily) reported on US Secretary, Condoleezza Rice, visit in Rabat saying that the sharoui conflict should be resolved. According to the paper, Ms. Ricestated that the United States were going to support a conflict resolution process between Morocco and Algeria.

9. Soir Info reported on the President of the Panafrican Youth Congress, Ble Goude Charles’s comments about the former ruling party PDCI, President Bedie’s candidature to the Ivorian presidency saying: “don’t entrust your future to the past.”  He said this during a meeting of an organization called “Generation Ble Goude” whose aim is to support Ble Goude’s actions. According to the story, he added that in any kind of job, people get retired, a way to remind Bedie that his time is over.

September 5, 2008

The major topics in Ivorian papers today are – the resumption of work by government; the presidential elections; the identification process; the development of transportation infrastructure; and the US presidential elections. A breakthrough in HIV/AIDS research was also reported on.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported on the first meeting of government since their return from a 10-day vacation. According to the paper, Prime Minister Soro Guillaume, declared that the priority issue for government is the presidential elections. In a separate story on the identification process,the newspaper reported that Haman Toure, the spokesman of the United Nations Mission in Cote d’Ivoire said "Find rapid solutions to tackle the very last impediments" to ensure that deadline of November 30 is met.

2. On the same subject, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) reported that replacement for the destroyed birth certificates is about to start, in accordance with the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. L’inter (an independent daily) reported that SAGEM, the company in charge of supplying identification systems and managing the population and voters registration has finally found a "home". According to the paper, SAGEM had no offices, until Wednesday, when offices in the National Office of Identification headquarters were offered to store the identification operation systems.

4. The development of transportation infrastructures was a widely discussed subject in the Ivorian newspapers, today. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported that the Ministers of Transport from CDEAO (West African Economic Community) and UMOA (West African Monetary Union) met in Yamoussoukro on Thursday September 4, to stratergize developing the transportation sector in the sub-region. The Ivorian president, Laurent Gbagbo who chaired the meeting encouraged the participants to provide high-quality plans for the development that will contribute to an effective regional integration.

5. On the US elections, L’inter reported on McCain running Mate, Sarah Palin’s address. The paper said Palin's speech during the republican convention last Wednesday, was powerful. According to the report, she strongly reasserted her beliefs which included anti-abortion, economic liberalism, opposition to youth sexual education and homosexual marriage… Still reporting on the presidential elections in the Unites States, l’Inter carried a story asking whether Americans would be ready to elect a Black man to the White House. The story compared the two candidates - "Obama as a young charismatic brilliant speaker as opposed to McCain, an old man and a war hero who arouses no enthusiasm."

6. Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) reported that American Researchers have discovered a gene likely to neutralize the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). According to the paper, the results of the research were published in Science magazine of Friday September 05, 2008.

September 4, 2008

The Ivorian newspapers today continued reporting on matters relating to the presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire, including the identification and census process.  The papers also reported on the upcoming meeting between the First Lady and the New Forces; the education system and start of the new school year; elections in the  United States; and the resurgence of the avian flue.

1. On the Ivoirian presidential elections scheduled for November 30, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported on Beugre Mambe, the President of the Independent Electoral Commission’s concerns about the   identification and census process.  The article cited him saying that there were still hindrances blocking the implementation of the identification process, these include recruitment and training of the census agents and the deliver of the electoral equipment bySAGEM security. He said that SAGEM has only provided 2,000 kits of the 6,000 kits expected.

2. On health matters,   Notre Voie reported that there is a resurgence of the avian flue in the subregion.  The paper said that the Minister of Animal Production informed the public that the virus has been detected in Nigeria. In a regional workshop on the illness, the focus was on reinforcing the capacity of health workers on proper monitoring of the illness.

3. In a headline story on the upcoming meeting between the New Forces and Mrs. Gbagbo, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said “Simone Gbagbo agrees to discuss with the New Forces without changing the content of her speech.” (This is in reference to a speech the First Lady made during her campaign in the North, recently.)  In that speech, according to the paper, Mrs Gbagbo said: “The chaos of the country was caused by some people who refused to respect the laws...”

4. On the Ivorian education system, (L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) reported on the Minister of National Education’s warning against fraud in enlisting children in schools.    He said this during a meeting with school inspectors, educators, and children’s parents as the  new school year is to start soon. 

5. On US elections Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported on the Republican Party’s convention.  The paper said President Georges W. Bush supports John McCain, asserting that he is ready to rule.  L’Inter (an independent daily) said that “George W. Bush and Joe Lieberman are on to rescue McCain.”

 

6. On other international news, L’Inter reported on the Georgia – Russia conflict.  The report was on US Vice President Chaney's visit to Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus in a show of support for Georgia.   The paper also reported on the financial support for Georgia from the United States and the International Monetary Fund. L’inter also reported on an agreement between the Ivorian government and the Japanese government, which granted 2.7 billion CFA to provide rice to the people of Cote d'Ivoire.  Notre Voie also reported on the same agreement adding that the donation was to show the Japanese government’s concern over the increase of the cost of food products in Cote d’Ivoire.

 

Media Coverage of Embassy Activities

1. Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition): The paper positively reported on the reopening event of the US Embassy’s Information Resource Center (IRC). It quoted Ambassador Wanda Nesbitt, who said in her welcome remarks that - “the purpose of the IRC is to share knowledge and reinforce mutual understanding between Ivorian and American people.” The article also mentioned the “2008 Children’s Africana Book Award” won by an Ivorian writer who published a series of graphic books, depicting a teenager’s life in Yopougon, a neighborhood in Abidjan. Agence Ivoirienne de Presse (a national media outlet), which also reported on the event said the occasion provided an opportunity for Ivorian writers to be informed about such an award.

September 3, 2008

Today’s news from Ivorian dailies focused on the toxic waste issue; the identification and registration process; the First Lady’s tour in the North; the ex-rebels protest in Bouake; the purported planned assassination of Prime Minister Soro; the presidential elections in the United States, and HIV / AIDS prevention.

1. The identification and registration process remains a major issue in the main Ivorian newspapers.  Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) reported on the Prime Minister’s Special Counselor of Communication, Alain Lobognon's explanation of the modalities of processing the new National Identity Cards.  According to the paper, during a workshop held on September 02, Lobognon explained that the identification process is free of charge and will be conducted through ten steps to ensure accuracy.  On political parties, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) reported that the US NGO, the National Democratic Institute, conducted a workshop with political parties to inculcate the “code of good behavior” in view of free, fair and non-violent elections. 

2. On the toxic waste issue, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported on the impacts and some outcomes of the toxic waste that was dumped in Abidjan in 2006.  The report said that twelve people, including the ex-Director General of the Maritime Affairs, will go on trial on September 29, 2008. Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) published a picture of an abnormal new-born baby in its report on the impacts of the toxic waste.  The paper said that the toxic waste is likely the cause of the baby's malformation. 

3. The state-owned daily Fraternite Matin reported in a front page story that “The New Forces want to meet with Mrs. Gbagbo”.  The paper said that following a meeting held in Niakara (a city in the North of the country) by the second Vice-president of the ruling FPI party, the New Forces announced that a military and political delegation will have a working session with Simone Ehivet Gbagbo on Sunday September 07, in Bouake. Other papers, including L’Intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) carried the similar stories.

4. On the AIDS epidemics, L’Intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) reported on the organization -l’Organisation Corridor Abidjan-Lagos' commitment to conduct awareness raising campaigns about the disease, especially in boarder areas. 

5. Interest in the US presidential elections remains high in the Ivorian newspapers.  L’Intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) reported on the pregnancy of 17 years old daughter of McCain running mate Sarah Palin. A Soir Info (an independent daily) headline story said “The Republican convention expects to get to embrace Sarah Palin.” On the issue of Sarah Palin's pregnant teenage daughter, L’Inter (an independent daily) said that Obama refused to discuss Palin’s private life. The story included Obama's comment that “This should not affect our politics. It has no relationship with Palin’s capacities as governor or vice-president…”

6. Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the party) carried a front page headline that read - “The plan for Soro’s assassination is becoming clear… Thebrains behind this plan is in Abidjan.” According to the paper, the planned assignation is scheduled to happen between September 14 and 19. The paper also reported   that Laslande, a Belgian Colonel is torry out the assassination.  According to the paper, the reason for assassinating Soro is to neutralize the New Forces, destroy the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, and weaken the PDCI party.

7. On the New Forces, Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported that Caporal Diaby, one of the ex-rebels protesting in Bouake, said “Without our 5 million, no elections will be held.”

September 2, 2008

Today, Ivorian newspapers reported on unemployment in Cote d'Ivoire; the peace process; the scheduled November 30 presidential elections; the FPI's (the ruling party) convention; US elections; aid from China; Soro on the reorganization of the New Forces; and the leadership of FESCI (Students Federation of Cote d’Ivoire.)

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): In a front page story, the newspaper said: “Four million young people are job-hunters: unemployed could bring a second rebellion”.  The paper suggested that the social engagement of youth should be a national priority. According to the paper, in an interview, the Minister of Technical Vocational Education declared that an Ivorian job fair will be organized on September 11 to promote job-oriented courses and training to fight against unemployment among youth. The job fair will also inform attendees about opportunities on various professional careers. 

2. On political parties, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling party) reported that on the FPI (the ruling party)’s convention during which they choose President Laurent Gbagbo as the FPI official candidate to the presidential elections. Sangare Abou Drahamane, the First Vice-President of the party presented the selected candidate, tracing his political career since his election in 2000.

3. Reporting on the same convention Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) questioned the portrayal of the FPI official candidate Laurent Gbagbo. The paper further said that the president of the party Affi N’Guessan, in his remarks, tried to conceal the issues of mass graves, carnage, and plundering, which characterized Gbagbo’s political career. 

 

On the peace process, Le Patriote, in a headline story said: “Slowness of the peace process. The United Nations maintained the sanctions against Cote d’Ivoire.” According to the paper, the UN Security Council unanimously renewed the sanctions against Cote d’Ivoire due to the incapacity to identify voters in the North of the country.

4. On international matters, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling party) reported on financial cooperation between Ivory Coast and China. According to the paper, the Chinese Vice-Minister of Commerce and the Ivorian Minister of Foreign Affairs signed an agreement worth 26 billion CFA provided by China to help rehabilitate ministerial offices and to build a Research Center to fight against malaria. Anti-malaria medicines were also provided by the Chinese government. Reporting on the same subject, Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) said that China donated 27.3 billion CFA to help with post-crisis reconstruction.

5. Still on international matters, Notre Voie carried an article on the American presidential elections. The story reported on the impact of hurricane “Gustav,” which prevented the Republican Party from beginning its convention that was scheduled for Monday September 1st.  L’inter (an independent daily) also focused on the same issue saying that the hurricane has seriously disturbed the Republicans campaign.

6. On the scheduled November 30 elections, L’Intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) reported that the president of the Independent Electoral Commission, Beugre Mambe said “nothing blocks the identification process.” According to the paper, Mambe made this pronouncement after a meeting he held with the UN representative of the Secretary General in Cote d’Ivoire. Mambe explained that he was optimistic about the election date of November 30, because measures were taken to technically and legally meet with the requirements. Le Jour Plus and L’Inter (an independent daily) reported Beugre Mambe’s optimism about meeting with the election deadline of November 30.   

7. “Soro is preparing a reorganization of his team”: this is a front page story reported by L’Inter (an independent daily).  According to the newspaper Soro Guillaume, the Prime Minister, is likely to reorganize the New Forces team because he has realized that some of his staff actions are "treacherous."

8. Still on Prime Minister Soro, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling party) in a prominent front-page story said “The FPI wants to assassinate Soro.” According to the paper, the Prime Minister risks a second attack after the murder attempt of last June 2007. The paper said "those recruited to kill the Prime Minister are well-known to Chief-Sergeant Ibrahim Coulibaly alias IB... The purpose is to prevent the elections, a sure way to end up with the Ivorian crisis.”

9. On FESCI, the Ivorian Students Federation, Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) carried a headline saying “Struggle to control FESCI. Five leaders from the movement threatened to be killed.” According to the paper, Achille Koukougnon a member of an ex-militia group (Groupement pour la Liberation de la Cote d’Ivoire), Marc Aka Bony, former Secretary of FESCI section of the campus, and Rochereau, an employee from Abidjan port have been arrested for plotting to assault the current FESCI Secretary General, Augustin Mian, and five people from his committee members.