United States Embassy (Abidjan)
14 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. Commentaries in today's Ivoirian newspapers say the authorities in Cote d'Ivoire are now taking "serious" the "growing anger in the military barracks," as President Laurent Gbagbo is set to meet the Security and Defense Forces today.
2. With a picture of the Ivoirian leader on its front-page, Fraternite Matin runs a story entitled: "Anger in the national army: Gbagbo wants to resolve the problem." According to the state-owned daily, "The Ivoirian President is to meet the Security and Defense Forces this afternoon at the Presidential Palace in Abidjan." "Tension is mounting on one side," reports the paper, "As shootings were heard yesterday in a key point in Abidjan."
3. For today's meeting, "He [Gbagbo] will be assisted by the Minister of Planning and Development; the Minister of Defense; the Minister of Economy and Finance; and the Ivoirian Army Chief of Defense," all of whom, according to the paper, "will help find solutions to certain technical problems."
4. Le Courrier d'Abidjan, a daily close to Gbagbo, calls today's meeting, "The big debate between Gbagbo and the Army over the controversy triggered by the ranks given some army officers and the payment of demobilization allowances."
5. As the issue of rank and payment of the allowances continues to spark plenty of controversy, L'inter, a privately-owned daily carries a front-page story saying, "Gbagbo and the soldiers are set for a crucial meeting today." The paper suggests, "The fact that the Ouagadougou Agreement did not address the problem is likely to derail the peace process."
6. The paper also comments, "Beside the rank controversy, the upcoming identification program has thrown the Prime Minister Soro Guillaume into a hot spot, and Gbagbo in a tight corner." It points out that, "These two thorny issues could trigger the anger of the ex-rebels."
7. A front-page story in Le Nouveau Reveil, a daily close to the ex-ruling PDCI-RDA party, says "The Defense Minister, Michel Amani N'Guessan, was refused entry yesterday as he tried yesterday to visit soldiers at the Akouedo military barrack in Abidjan in a bid to stem the malaise that plagues the army."
8. "Mangou - The Ivoirian Army Chief of Defense - and Amani cancel a visit to the garrisons," writes 24 Heures, a daily close to the opposition. Citing military sources, the paper indicates that, "Soldiers reportedly told the minister and the army commander that they were not ready to meet them."
9. In a related development, the paper publishes a copy of "an open letter" sent to the President of the Republic by a group of soldiers calling themselves "Ble Goude" demanding their "reintegration into the national army."
10. Commenting the current crisis within the army, Soir Info, a privately-owned daily, suggests that, "There is a need to find a courageous and swift solution to this problem," because "the lack of decision and any attempt to play down the issue could plunge the country into danger."
11. Le Temps -- a daily close to Gbagbo --, after quoting a leading member of the ruling FPI party who calls upon the soldiers to come to "compromise", accuses the Ivoirian opposition group of "fueling the situation."
12. While Gbagbo is scheduled to meet the Security and Defense Forces today, Le Front, a daily close to the New Forces, says his Prime Minister is due to hold talks with members of the RHDP - An Ivoirian opposition coalition. "The public hearings, identification program, and the voters register will be top on the agenda," indicates the paper.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2007 United States Embassy. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
