United States Embassy (Abidjan)
30 June 2008
This daily press review is compiled by the Information Section of the Public Affairs Office of the American Embassy in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
The Ivorian press today reported on the June 27 revolt by dissident followers of a New Forces' military commander, who was sacked a few weeks ago. The Ivorian peace process, especially the question of funding for the upcoming presidential election and government's anti-corruption campaign were the other top stories in today's Ivorian press.
1. Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party): A prominent story in this paper said that "one person was killed and two others injured, when supporters of Kone Zakaria launched a revolt in the west-central cities of Vavoua and Seguela on June 27." According to the paper, the aim of this uprising was to press for the return of Kone Zakaria, a former New Forces' military commander, who was sacked a few weeks ago for "indiscipline" by the leadership of the former Ivorian rebel movement. The paper also said that the disgruntled soldiers were also demanding the payment of their disarmament allowances and that calm has returned to Vavoua and Seguela as of yesterday.
2. Reporting on the same event, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said that the mutineers are still holding hostage some New Forces' military commanders in Vavoua and Seguela. According to the paper, a dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed in Seguela since June 28 in a bid to bring the situation under control. The paper quoted the spokesperson of the mutineers, Abdoulaye Kone, as saying, "We dislike the decisions of the new zone commander. We notice that he has suppressed our allowance in rice while there have been some dismissals. Some quartermasters have been removed; changes were operated here and there; and most recently he has decided to change all the post commanders who were on the frontlines. We would like chief Wattao [the newly-appointed New Forces military commander in the region] to retain all these force commanders because in his first speeches he said that he had not come to remove anyone from their post. Given that they all belong to the New Forces, there are not divided into Zakaria's men on one side and Wattao's men on the other side. He must then stick to his words."
3. In a different story, Fraternite Matin told readers that the Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, who is also the leader of the New Forces, on June 29 expressed "his indignation, disappointment and anger," following the mutiny staged by disgruntled former fighters in Seguela and Vavoua. Soro, who was speaking from the central city of Bouake during a ceremony marking the first anniversary of the attack on a plane carrying him, was quoted as saying, "This movement [the rebellion launched in September 2002] was not for any personal enrichment, neither for any personal gain... We did not launch this movement to delay our country's development or to be torn apart."
4. Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party): A prominent story on the front page of this paper suggested that the leader of the New Forces, who is apparently "weaken" by the continuous mutinies has lost "control over his soldiers." The paper further quoted the New Forces' director of communications, Alain Lobognon saying, "The Prime Minister has given clear instructions that there won't be a single shot fired." Lobognon added that "The soldiers, members of the former rebel New Forces (FN) movement, were now under the protection of the United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and French troops deployed there."
5. In another development, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party), in a front-page item, told readers that this party supports Gbagbo's anti-corruption campaign. The paper published the full text of a communique issued by the President of the ruling FPI party, Pascal Affi N'Guessan on the ongoing crackdown in the coffee and cocoa industry in Cote d'Ivoire. An excerpt of the statement said: "The FPI notes that in this matter, some of its militants, cadres of the party who are playing a leadership role, are among those who have been charged... The FPI, which strongly believes in the principle of good governance and the war against corruption, welcome the Head of State's initiative. This move clearly shows his commitment to moralize the public life. The FPI encourages him to continue the fight against any behavior that threatens good governance."
6. Regarding the funding for the Ivorian peace process, Fraternite Matin said that out of FCFA 194 billion, international donors have so far provided FCFA 63 billion. The paper further suggested that the first round of the upcoming presidential election planned to be held on November 30, 2008, could be "delayed" due to what it called "the poor financial support" from the donors. In a related development, Notre Voie quoted the Ivorian First Lady, Simone Ehivet Gbagbo as saying, "Cote d'Ivoire has the means to organize the elections." According to the paper, the Ivorian First Lady, who was speaking over the weekend at during a political rally, was responding to those who believed that the polls could be delayed due to financial problems.
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