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United States Embassy
(Abidjan)

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

11 January 2008

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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. The presidential primaries in the United States and President Laurent Gbagbo's official visit in the eastern regions of Cote d'Ivoire are the major stories in today's dailies. The papers also reported on the status of the UN's peacekeeping mission in Cote d'Ivoire.

2. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): In a full page editorial titled "The fear of change," the paper talked about Barack Osama's candidacy for President of the United States, particularly focusing on his race and his win in the Iowa primary. According to the editorial, the Y2K computer bug, which according to predictions should have disrupted computer systems globally but did not, is now taking place in the politics of the United States. "The 'Obamania,' which has taken grip of Americans, is a sign of a revolution that has virtually changed habits and beliefs." "Barrack Obama, a mixed-raced American - whose father is a Kenyan and mother a white American from Kansas --, is not running for presidency just to clown around and to keep up the appearances." The editorial continued on to say that Obama "epitomizes youth and change; he represents a symbol of change." He is "a serious candidate" for the Democrat Party and it is clear that his rival, New York's Senator and former first-lady, Hillary Clinton is beginning "to doubt" her chances. The paper concluded that Americans are preparing for "a crucial event" this year. It predicts that Americans would have the choice to either elect for the first time in the history of their country "a black... and white - Barrack Hussein Obama" or "a woman - Hillary Rodham Clinton" as their new President. The paper asserts that it is from this political fever and this "perpetual challenge" that the United States finds "forces and resources" that enable it to maintain its leadership as the "world superpower."

3. Reporting on the US primaries from Washington DC, Fraternite Martin's correspondent's story - "The marathon for presidency has begun, and is full of surprises" - had juxtaposed pictures of Clinton and Obama. The report said that that in Iowa, against all predictions, Obama defeated Clinton; however, five days later Clinton fought back to win the primaries in New Hampshire. The report further explained America's "long" electoral process, which will continue till next November, to be culminated by the presidential elections.

4. On Cote d'Ivoire, Fraternite Matin reported on the visit of President Gbagbo to the eastern regions of the country. In a front page story, the paper reported on the President's stance on issues that "plague" his regime. According to the paper, the president denounced "corruption, tribalism, and pillage of State resources."

5. On the contrary, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) reported that as "embezzlement, corruption, killings and racketeering," are going on in the country, "Gbagbo has turned back to the people."

6. Reporting on the UN's mandate in the country, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) said the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon recommended that the mandate for the 8,000-strong force, which is backed by 3,000-3,500 French troops, should be extended until January 15, 2009. Regarding the upcoming elections in Cote d'Ivoire, the paper quoted the UN Operation as saying, "UNOCI will be tasked to certify the polls."

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