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United States Embassy (Abidjan)

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

2 May 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.

News reports in today's Ivorian daily newspapers said that the cantonment of Cote d'Ivoire's former New Forces rebels is due to commence today. The May Day celebration was also a front-page item in many dailies.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A front-page story in this newspaper said that the cantonment of the former combatants of the New Forces is due to begin today in the central city of Bouake, the stronghold of the New Forces. The paper noted that the program, which is in connection with the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process, will resume after "a four-month suspension." The paper said though "government forces had completed their cantonment on January 24, 2008," the program, which was launched on December 22, 2007, was halted in the zones under the control of the New Forces because of "financial and technical problems." The paper further suggested that "The resumption of the exercise becomes possible following the recent visit to Cote d'Ivoire by the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, who helped resolved some financial problems."

2. In a related issue, L'inter (a privately-owned daily) carried a prominent story saying that after the announcement of the date of the upcoming elections in Cote d'Ivoire, "The UN Security Council is now looking forward to the publication of the electoral list, a crucial step in the electoral process." According to the paper, this was contained in a statement issued by the world governing body. According to the paper, the statement said "In the context of the forthcoming presidential elections, the Council called on the parties to make concrete progress to promote political and security stability in such key areas as the disarmament and dismantling of militias; the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration program; weapons storage; the unification and restructure of defense and security forces; and the full restoration of State authority throughout the country."

3. As the authorities in Cote d'Ivoire are engaged in the preparation of the upcoming elections, Fraternite Matin reported on Mamadou Coulibaly's (Speaker of the National Assembly) description of the Code of Good Conduct as "an arm against post-electoral violence." According to the paper, Coulibaly was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2008 first session of the Ivoirian National Assembly that was held April 30 in the country's political capital Yamoussoukro. The paper said that Koulibaly encouraged Ivorians to respect this Code especially articles 11 and 16. [NOTE: Article 11: The signatories pledge to use dialogue and all other peaceful and legal means in the settlement of their differences. They agree to refrain from entertaining and financing militia groups, self-defense groups, or Para-military groups. Furthermore, they pledge not to manipulate or use any armed force. Article 16: The signatories pledge to implement the present code of good conduct with goodwill and admit that the elections are the only means for a political party, a political grouping, a political force, or a candidate, to conquer power and for every voter to express his choice.]

4. Still on Coulibaly's comments, L'intelligent d'Abidjan (a privately-owned daily) published the full text of his speech, which he also described "corruption and tribalism as the common enemies for Ivorians." According to the paper, Koulibaly further said "The Ouagadougou Political Agreement was not clear on the issue of the disarmament." The paper further said that Koulibaly proposed that the government should stop paying "war allowances to soldiers," as a way to put an end to "the warfare" in Cote d'Ivoire.

5. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party): A front-page item in this paper said that workers' union denounced the current social situation in Cote d'Ivoire, which has been marked by "a high cost of living, racket, impoverishment, and corruption." According to the paper, the trade union leaders made this pronouncement as Cote d'Ivoire celebrated May Day, yesterday. The paper reported that President Laurent Gbagbo, in response, called on the workers to assume dialogue with the government in order to find solution to their grievances.

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