United States Embassy (Abidjan)
26 December 2007
press release
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 uprising of the "Dozo" Soro's traditional combatants, the beginning of the disarmament program and the celebration of Christmas are the major issues in today's Ivorian press.
2. In Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): The paper carries a front-page story saying that there have been two demonstrations in one week in Bouake and that there is still high tension there; the "Dozos" meet Soro today.
According to the paper, the brotherhood of traditional hunters called "Dozo" disturbed the peace of Bouake inhabitants on christmas eve by blocking the main entrances of Bouake. Those traditional hunters that the ex-rebellion used as combatants are now claiming the immediate payment of a war bonus. Their chief is quoted as saying "We are the ones who waged war against Cote d'Ivoire's national army and gained territories that the New Forces are priding themselves on now. While we are living in misery, our leaders are living in great style. We can no longer accept that.
3. Soir info (an independent daily): The paper runs a banner headline reading, "Bouake still under tension: after the soldiers, the "Dozo" revolt against their leaders; here are their requirements." According to the paper, 48 hours after the beginning of disarmament at the front lines of Tiebissou and Djebonoua, hundreds of traditional hunters called (Dozos) blocked the main entrances of Bouake, snatched cars, beat some journalists and shot in the air to claim 9 millions CFA each as a five-year war bonus.
The paper also reports that despite the mediation of Cherif Ousmane, a war lord, the Dozos held to their position and their chief was quoted as saying: "How come after discussions in Ouagadougou, they can forget the first actors, us. Nowhere in the agreement is there any mention of the "Dozos." As they have ignored us, we cannot ignore ourselves. We want 9 million CFA each for the five years we have lost. After that, we will see." After intensive negotiation with Cherif Ousmane, the Dozo let vehicles go and decided to meet Soro Guillaume.
4. In Le Temps (a daily close to Gbagbo): A front page story says: "Everything is messed up in Bouaké: Dozo and soldiers in the streets again; the reasons for an uprising; the direction of New Forces wants to cut heads." According to the paper, nothing is going well in Bouaké. Traditional hunters called "dozos" revolted on Monday, December 24. After them, young soldiers that had demobilized came again yesterday to reoccupy the front line of Djebonoua as soon as the authorities left after the disarmament ceremony. The paper reports that Soro's supporters are preparing to counterattack.
The paper also reports that the insurgents blocked most of Bouake's entrances and created terror in the town. They beat three journalists and damaged the Burkina Faso Consul's vehicle. The demonstrators protested against what they call their being ignored in the disarmament, demobilization and reinsertion process of the Ouagadougou Agreement. According to the Dozos, they have been told that they don't meet the requirements of the new army nor can they be taken into account in the future civil service which concerns young men only. They also said that Soro has betrayed Alassane Ouattara and they will not depose their arms as long as Ouattara is not president of this country.
On other subjects, Le Temps reports that 1,528 billion CFA have been paid to the firms victims of the toxic waste dumped in Abidjan last year and on Christmas eve, the Archbishop of Abidjan asked Ivorians to engage themselves in the peace process, to reconcile and love themselves and to be positive.
5. Le Nouveau Réveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI) front page story says: "Put down by Gbagbo, threatened by New Forces; are the two faces of Soro roasted? The consequences on the peace process will be very heavy". According to the paper, the unhappiness among the ex-rebel troops could be prejudicial to the Prime Minister because he is weakened faced with an unpredictable Laurent Gbagbo in the management of the transition. Soro's situation is risky if his authority within the New Forces is contested. Now the renewal of revolt movements could lead towards a splintering of the New Forces.
In another article, the paper reports that the real reasons for the multiple uprisings within New Forces soldiers are made clear in an interview with a mutineer: "With time we have noticed that our chiefs have become bourgeois and betrayed the cause for which we have accepted to leave everything and follow them. Today we are reduced to begging while our chiefs in Bouake receive 30 million CFA a day. To that sum we should add taxes on trucks carrying merchandise and bribes from economic operators. Our chiefs are extremely rich and they share the income of diamonds, gold, coffee and cocoa among them. But us, what do we get? Nothing."
6. A front-page story in Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) says: "Disarmament of ex-combatants, violent uprising of "Dozos" in Bouake." The traditional hunters called "Dozos" are roused because of what they consider mistreatment in the process of disarmament, demobilization and reinsertion. They are claiming 9 million CFA each after five years of good and faithful service.
The paper also reports that during Christmas eve mass, the Archbishop of Abidjan urged Ivorians to remain faithful to the peace process. He took that opportunity to tell the population: "Misfortune to the person who will prevent the country from coming out of the gloom of division."
7. 24 Heures (a daily close to the opposition): The paper runs a banner headline reading "After soldiers, the "Dozos" rose up in Bouake. Nothing works in Soro's army." According to the paper, after the revolt of soldiers last week on the eve of the celebration of the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha, it is now the turn of traditional hunters called "Dozos" to take to the streets of Bouake to express their unhappiness. They denounced the fact that they were not taken into account in the disarmament, demobilization and reinsertion process.
In a different story, 24 Heures tells readers that the Integrated Center of Command has problems in bringing security to Man. Since the dismantling of the "zone of confidence" in April, the insecurity has increased in that zone. Economic operators are victims in the period of cocoa sales.
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