United States Embassy (Abidjan)
1 October 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 dismissal of some soldiers of the national army, the beginning of the trial concerning the dumping of toxic waste in Abidjan in August 2006 and Prime Minister Soro Guillaume's interview released by the African monthly magazine Jeune Afrique are the major news stories in today's Ivorian papers.
Fraternité Matin (a state owned daily) said in a front page story - "the National Army Staff took heavy measures." This is a report on the aftermath of the mutiny of some loyal soldiers which occurred over the weekend in the cities of Yamoussoukro (the political capital city) and Daoukro (located in the Center-East). The paper said, that the Chief Commander of the National Army fired 91 loyal soldiers who were accused of repeated mutiny and poor discipline. General Mangou (Chief of Staff) reportedly declared that the mutiny was over and no misbehavior would be accepted and tolerated any more. Reporting on the same topic, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said "91 soldiers fired and indicted". The paper quoted General Mangou, who said "it is unacceptable that soldiers resort to arms to express their concerns". He is also reportedly said that there are sanctions aimed to discourage to mutiny; he said discipline is being restored among the National Army.
L'Inter (an independent daily) reported that Prime Minister Soro Guillaume assured the Ivorian military that no one would be forgotten throughout the peace process and new joint forces Army plan; he said mutineers could jeopardize the normalization of the cooperation with the international financial institutions on debt reduction. Prime Minister Soro was speaking at the launching of the electoral registration process. Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition) on the other hand, accused President Gbagbo of sacrificing those who saved his regime during the war. The paper referred to the dismissed soldiers as a possible danger to the peace process underway in Cote d'Ivoire.
Fraternité Matin (a state owned daily) reporting on the opening of the trial of the indicted persons in the case concerning the dumping of toxic waste in Abidjan in August 2006, the paper said that Mr. Gossio (the Director of Abidjan Port); Mr. Amondji (the Governor of the District of Abidjan); and Mr. Gnamien (the former Director of Ivorian Customs Service) have been called in the Court as witnesses. The paper also said that the persons listed above served as heads of those departments at the time of the dumping.
Le Nouveau Reveil (close to the former ruling PDCI RDA) reported on the same issue in a front page story headline; the paper said "the government chooses his culprits". According to the paper, granting the status of witnesses to Gossio, Amondji and Gnamien hinders the action of the Justice department. Speaking on the behalf of the victims, Ms. Rachelle Gogoua (president of an association of victims of toxic wastes) told Nord Sud (a daily close to the opposition) that the trial is all a put on.
Prime Minister Soro's interview with Jeune Afrique (a pan African newspaper) was covered in most papers. Fraternité Matin (a state owned daily) picked up the Prime Minister's assurance that "It will be impossible to cheat during the forthcoming elections." According to the paper, the Prime Minister said that important technical measures are being taken to secure the electoral process and that the scheduled elections date of November 30 is still doable.
United States of America
Soir Info (an independent daily) and Le Jour Plus (a daily close to opposition) reported on the rejection by the House of Representatives of the salvaging plan of the financial institutions of the USA. They also reported on the call by presidential candidates Obama and McCain for urgent measures to protect the savings of American families and small sized enterprises.
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