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United States Embassy (Abidjan)

Côte d'Ivoire: American Embassy's National Daily Press Review

17 August 2007

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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. Despite a call from the National Press Council (CNP) - a state-owned media watchdog - demanding journalists to tone down their reports on Tuesday's close door meeting between President Laurent Gbagbo and Ivoirian soldiers over ranks and allowances arrears, the meeting continues to spark much comment in today's newspapers.

2. "Incitement to revolt in the military barracks: CNP condemns the drift in the press," says a banner headline that runs across Notre Voie, a daily close to the ruling FPI party. The paper publishes the full text of a statement issued yesterday by the Ivoirian media watchdog denouncing what it calls, "An execrable treatment of the news on the close door meeting between Gbagbo and soldiers."

3. The statement also condemns "the use of inflammatory words by section of the media," adding this kind of reports could cause "military revolt against State's institutions," and hence, "hold back the peace process underway after the signing of the Ouagadougou Agreement."

4. Notre Voie accuses the Ivoirian opposition of trying "to incite the national army to revolt," and suggests that, "The enemies of peace are thrown into disarray."

5. Le Matin d'Abidjan runs a headline entitled: "Anger in the barracks: France is preparing a coup d'Etat." It also alleges that, "cash is being distributed in the military barracks, while emissaries of an opposition alliance called the RHDP are going round to call for revolt."

6. Soir Info, a privately-owned daily, calls the "growing anger" in the military barracks "a bomb in the hands of President Gbagbo." The paper comments, "The crisis over the ranks and allowances arrears was poorly addressed, and this could cause a setback of the whole peace process in Cote d'Ivoire."

7. In the wake of the meeting between Gbagbo and soldiers, L'inter, a privately-owned unveils that, "Gbagbo had hammered out a good plan for the army." It indicates that, "Though the question regarding the payment of war allowances was not part of the 'gifts', Gbagbo had planned to organize a National Day to celebrate best soldiers, who remained loyal to him during the war."

8. Reacting to the statement issued by the CNP, Le Nouveau Reveil, a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA, calls it "an insult to the press." The paper promises readers to come out with a full rejoinder in its tomorrow's edition. In a related development, the paper wonders whether, "Gbagbo has ordered that heavy weapons should be removed from the Akouedo military barrack in Abidjan, after his martial speech."

9. "Gbagbo has deployed his troops, as the anger is growing in the military barracks," says a front-page story in 24 Heures, a daily close to the opposition. According to the paper, "The CECOS - a security unit based in Abidjan - is on high alert, while security around the Presidential Palace has been beefed up."

10. 24 Heures also tells readers that, "The New Forces' high command is due to hold an emergency meeting today in Bouake." Citing reliable sources, the paper says, "The meeting will envisage reacting to Gbagbo's statement that he did not recognize the ranks given by Soro Guillaume to his soldiers."

11. After Tuesday's meeting, "The Ivoirian Chief of Staff faces difficult situation," writes Le Front, a daily close to the New Forces. According to the paper, "The disgruntled soldiers hold Major General, Philippe Mangou responsible for the ongoing crisis in the army."

12. In another development, Le Jour Plus, a daily close to the opposition warns that, "A social revolt is on the offing, following the hike of foods prices in the country."

13. Dumped in Abidjan and its environs in August 2006, "The toxic wastes continue to cause mayhem amongst the population," reports Le Patriote, a daily close to the opposition RDR party.

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