United States Embassy (Abidjan)
13 August 2007
This daily press review is compiled by the Information Section of the Public Affairs Office of the American Embassy in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
1. The grumbling and controversy over the rank issue in both Cote d'Ivoire National Armed Forces and New Forces Armed Forces are the major news in Monday's Ivoirian papers.
2. The state-owned daily Fraternite Matin carries a banner headline entitled: "Unhappiness within the army: Mangou tries to bring down tension." "In a bid to quench the fire that is burning in the garrisons over a controversial rank issue and unpaid war allowances," reports the paper, "The Ivoirian Army Chief of Staff, General Philippe Mangou is playing the role of a fire fighter."
3. Speaking at a press conference over the week writes the paper, the Ivoirian army commander, who looked "visibly ulcerated," rejected "unfounded reports on the army," published by the press. Mangou told journalists: "Your writings are dangerous for the population and this can undermine the peace process." "We keep our doors open to enable you crosscheck your information," he is reported as saying.
4. Regarding the rank issue and unpaid war allowances, Mangou told reporters: "I'm not a thief," as he explained how these allowances are paid. Meanwhile, quoting an army officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Fraternite Matin says, "Garrisons are shaken by continuous grumbling, as soldiers are claiming six months of unpaid allowances."
5. A banner headline that runs across Le Courrier d'Abidjan, a daily close to President Gbagbo, says "Mangou warns those who are trying to take advantage of the rebellion's rank affairs." The paper's political cartoonist shows the Army Chief of Staff telling journalists: "Dear friends, if you want to write anything concerning the army, let me suggest you a topic: 'Peace, Peace, Peace'."
6. "Mangou rejects the ranks given by Soro to New Forces' soldiers," says a front-page story in Le Patriote, a daily close to the opposition RDR party. "The issue concerning the rank of soldiers of the New Forces' Armed Forces is yet to be resolved," the paper quotes Mangou as saying.
7. Commenting Mangou's press conference over the weekend, the paper says, "The army is once again threatening the freedom of the press," as this is not the first time the Ivoirian Chief of Staff tried "to intimidate the press."
8. "What will happen if the issue of the rank of soldiers of the New Forces is not resolved?" asked Nord-Sud Quotidien, a daily close to the opposition. The paper warns: "While Ivoirian are pushing hard for the reunification of both the country and the army, the matter over the rank could cause mayhem in the country."
9. A front-page story in 24 Heures, a daily close to the opposition, says, "Angry soldiers threaten Gbagbo" over the thorny rank issue and unpaid war allowances. According to the paper, "Disgruntled soldiers shot in the air last Saturday night in Cocody near the residence of the Head of State to protest the recent promotions granted to General Mangou and other senior officers and to claim their allowances."
10. L'intelligent d'Abidjan, a privately-owned daily, quotes Lida Kouassi Moise, a Presidential military advisor as saying, "Money is being distributed in the military barracks to incite soldiers to revolt."
11. As the debate on the New Forces' rank issue is raging, Le Front, a daily close to the New Forces, calls upon the Burkinabe President Blaise Compaore - the facilitator in the Ivoirian peace process - "to help find a swift solution to the matter."
12. In a separate development, L'inter, a privately-owned daily, carries a 3-page in-depth feature story explaining "the ordeal of unemployed youth." The report says, "Recent initiatives" aimed at curbing "this lasting bomb" has yielded "meager results."
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