United States Embassy (Abidjan)
29 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. For questions regarding this service, please contact: Mr. Teko Folli in the Public Affairs Press Office, TekoFX@state.gov.
The Ivorian military forces' revolt over the weekend and the voters' registration exercise underway in Cote d'Ivoire, in the run-up to the presidential elections are the major news in today's Ivorian papers. Some papers commented on the US presidential candidates' first debate.
1. L'Inter (an independent daily) reported on the military mutinies over the weekend in two major cities; Yamoussoukro (capital city) and Daoukro (Centre East). The paper reports that the mutineers requested payment of back pay of their allowance, called "Haut les Coeurs" which represents a motivating fee (90,000 CFA) to the loyal combatants at the time of war. After several months of non- payment, soldiers violently paraded in Yamoussoukro and Daoukro to claim their allowance.
On the same subject, Soir Info (an independent daily) claims to know what really happened. The paper reported that there were "48 hours of terror", and that some military officers were illegally confined and some civilians wounded. According (Notre Voie, a daily close to the ruling party FPI), the demonstrators were arrested and taken to the military jail in Abidjan for further investigations.
(Le Patriote, a daily close to the opposition) revealed that 76 soldiers were arrested following the mutinies. The paper reported that mutineers wanted to speak to the First Lady, Simone Gbagbo and/or Mamadou Koulibaly, the President of the Ivorian Parliament to address their concerns regarding the "Haut les Coeurs" payment. (Le Jour Plus, an independent daily close to the opposition) reported that mutineers felt abused by the chiefs. They threatened to keep on demonstrating if their needs are not addressed.
2. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) released the paper's interview with Beugre Mambe, President of the Ivorian Independent Electoral Commission. In the interview, Mr. Mambe explained the electoral procedures and the related documentations necessary for Ivorians to participate in the forthcoming elections.
On the US presidential elections, L'Inter (an independent daily) reported on the presidential debate between Senator Obama and Senator McCain that took place on September 26, 2008. The paper reported that 49% of those polled said that they would vote for Senator Obama. (Soir Info, an independent daily) reported that Senator Obama wants to maximize his advantage over his challenger Senator McCain after the first debate.
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