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United States Embassy (Abidjan)

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

6 September 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. News in today's Ivoirian press is dominated by the peace process and political campaigning ahead of the forthcoming presidential election in Cote d'Ivoire. The Minister of Communication, according to reports, also called upon media watchdog committees to ensure objectivity and professionalism in the media. The other major news is, however, the national indefinite strike, called by the trade union of Ivoirian doctors to protest against a court decision suspending the leader of their union by the justice.

2. Notre Voie, a daily close to the ruling FPI party, carries a banner, saying, "Activities at the hospitals have been brought to a standstill following a strike launched by doctors." According to the paper, the movement was triggered by "a court decision" following an in-fighting within the Ivoirian doctors' trade-union.

3. "Many patients, who went to government's hospitals yesterday, were turned back, as they were not aware of the strike," reports the privately-owned daily Soir Info. In a commentary, the paper denounces what it calls "a wildcat strike," and demands the government "to punish" those who are behind the movement.

4. While government's hospitals are virtually close down, L'intelligent d'Abidjan, a privately-owned daily, notes "increasing activities in the private clinics."

5. Telling the plight of patients who were caught up in the ongoing strike, Le Jour Plus, a daily close to the opposition, suggests that, "The population could face a danger, unless swift measures are taken to resolve the problem."

6. In another development, a leading member of the Ivoirian opposition group, who was speaking to the paper, warns that, "The upcoming election could be delayed." The paper quotes the Chairman of the opposition MFA party - Movement of Forces of the Future --, Anaky Kobena, as saying, "Almost six months after the signing of the Ouagadougou Agreement, nothing has been done as far as the election is concerned." Anaky Kobena, who called on the Ivoirian opposition leaders "to file a single candidate if they are willing to win," notes that, "Elections cannot be held in Cote d'Ivoire at least after 18 months."

7. As the West African country is preparing for the coming election, Ivoirian political leaders are engaged in a political campaign. According to the state-owned daily Fraternite Matin, the former Ivoirian President, who is also the leader of the ex-ruling PDCI-RDA party, Henri Konan Bedie, is expected in the southern city of Dabou on September 22 for a political rally. The paper quotes the party leaders as saying, "About 30 thousands people are expected to attend the rally."

8. Addressing a rally in the state's political capital Yamoussoukro, Alphonse Djedje Mady, a leading member of the PDCI-RDA "crucified" the ruling FPI party, says a front-page story in Le Nouveau Reveil. Mady, reports the paper close to the PDCI-RDA, invited the people "not to vote for the FPI."

9. In a four-page in-depth story, Le Temps, a daily close to Gbagbo, allegedly accuses the Ivoirian opposition leader, Alassane Dramane Ouattara, of "looting the Ivoirian economy," during the time the President of the RDR opposition party was Prime Minister of Cote d'Ivoire. The paper also depicts Ouattara as the "father of the rebellion," adding that the opposition leader is short of "political courage."

10. A banner headline in Le Front, a daily close to the New Forces, explains "how the ruling PFI party has betrayed its allies, such as the army, militia groups, trade-unions, and the FESCI -- an Ivorian pro-government students group." In a front-page story, the paper highlights what it calls "the great disillusion of soldiers under the current regime."

11. Speaking to L'intelligent d'Abidjan, Joel N'Guessan, a former minister of Human Rights, told the paper that, "The current social mess in Cote d'Ivoire is the result of impunity that is going on in the country."

12. Apparently concerned by the current news reporting, the Minister of Communication, Ibrahim Sy Savane, called upon media watchdog committees to ensure "professionalism", and that news reports in the Ivoirian press are "balanced." According to Fraternite Matin, the minister, who was meeting yesterday representatives of the watchdog committees, also insisted that, "Political parties and the civic groups should be given equal access to the state-owned media."

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