United States Embassy (Abidjan)
4 September 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 newspapers today continued reporting on matters relating to the presidential elections in Cote d'Ivoire, including the identification and census process. The papers also reported on the upcoming meeting between the First Lady and the New Forces; the education system and start of the new school year; elections in the United States; and the resurgence of the avian flue.
1. On the Ivoirian presidential elections scheduled for November 30, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported on Beugre Mambe, the President of the Independent Electoral Commission's concerns about the identification and census process. The article cited him saying that there were still hindrances blocking the implementation of the identification process, these include recruitment and training of the census agents and the deliver of the electoral equipment bySAGEM security. He said that SAGEM has only provided 2,000 kits of the 6,000 kits expected.
2. On health matters, Notre Voie reported that there is a resurgence of the avian flue in the subregion. The paper said that the Minister of Animal Production informed the public that the virus has been detected in Nigeria. In a regional workshop on the illness, the focus was on reinforcing the capacity of health workers on proper monitoring of the illness.
3. In a headline story on the upcoming meeting between the New Forces and Mrs. Gbagbo, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said "Simone Gbagbo agrees to discuss with the New Forces without changing the content of her speech." (This is in reference to a speech the First Lady made during her campaign in the North, recently.) In that speech, according to the paper, Mrs Gbagbo said: "The chaos of the country was caused by some people who refused to respect the laws..."
4. On the Ivorian education system, (L'intelligent d'Abidjan (an independent daily) reported on the Minister of National Education's warning against fraud in enlisting children in schools. He said this during a meeting with school inspectors, educators, and children's parents as the new school year is to start soon.
5. On US elections Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported on the Republican Party's convention. The paper said President Georges W. Bush supports John McCain, asserting that he is ready to rule. L'Inter (an independent daily) said that "George W. Bush and Joe Lieberman are on to rescue McCain."
6. On other international news, L'Inter reported on the Georgia - Russia conflict. The report was on US Vice President Chaney's visit to Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus in a show of support for Georgia. The paper also reported on the financial support for Georgia from the United States and the International Monetary Fund. L'inter also reported on an agreement between the Ivorian government and the Japanese government, which granted 2.7 billion CFA to provide rice to the people of Cote d'Ivoire. Notre Voie also reported on the same agreement adding that the donation was to show the Japanese government's concern over the increase of the cost of food products in Cote d'Ivoire.
Media Coverage of Embassy Activities
1. Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition): The paper positively reported on the reopening event of the US Embassy's Information Resource Center (IRC). It quoted Ambassador Wanda Nesbitt, who said in her welcome remarks that - "the purpose of the IRC is to share knowledge and reinforce mutual understanding between Ivorian and American people." The article also mentioned the "2008 Children's Africana Book Award" won by an Ivorian writer who published a series of graphic books, depicting a teenager's life in Yopougon, a neighborhood in Abidjan. Agence Ivoirienne de Presse (a national media outlet), which also reported on the event said the occasion provided an opportunity for Ivorian writers to be informed about such an award.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 United States Embassy. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
