United States Embassy (Abidjan)
17 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.
An Ivorian independent daily newspaper today asserts that the repeated delays of the presidential elections in Cote d'Ivoire could jeopardize the peace process underway in this West African state. Basing its analysis on the recent rhetoric from the various political circles in Cote d'Ivoire, another independent daily explains how the Ivorian political groups are preparing for confrontation. Ivorian dailies also report on the problems relating to the disarmament of the former combatants. Other reports say that an Ivorian lawyer has criticized the trial of people accused of complicity in the dumping of poisonous toxic waste in Cote d'Ivoire. News on cocoa exports and the government's plan to increase workers' salaries are the other major stories. Dailies also commented on the final 2008 presidential debate between John McCain and Barack Obama.
1. Soir Info (an independent daily) suggests that the repeated delays of the presidential elections - widely believed to be a key factor in resolving the lingering crisis - could create another upheaval in Cote d'Ivoire. According to the paper, a joint government-New Forces (the former rebel movement) delegation meeting in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, has proposed that the polls, which were scheduled for November 30, be postponed to 2009. The paper notes that if the Ouagadougou Political Agreement signed more than a year ago was a "breakthrough,"..."the deal is still hitting against the electoral process." "As the electoral process in Cote d'Ivoire is moving at a slow pace," the paper quoted observers as saying, "the future of this country does not look promising." The paper further asserts that "the delay in the identification and voter registration exercise ... is likely to put oil on the fire in a country that is yet to recover from internal frustrations." The paper sums up that the continuous delays of the presidential elections could trigger what it calls "unpredictable social upheaval" that could discourage many investors from coming to Abidjan.
2. L'inter (an independent daily): With pictures of Ivorian political key players on its front page, the paper claims that leaders of political parties in Cote d'Ivoire are preparing for "confrontation." The paper, which bases its assertion on recent statements coming from different parts of the political arena, said they [Ivorian political leaders] have already "flouted the Code of Conduct" signed by the political parties a few months ago. Against this background, the paper notes that the social and political atmosphere has suddenly "deteriorated," adding, "The future does not augur well for Cote d'Ivoire."
3. Reporting on a joint government-New Forces delegation currently meeting in Ouagadougou, Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported that the two sides are divided over military questions. The meeting was mainly designed to find a solution to the questions relating to the future of the former combatants. In a related development, L'inter reported that a lack of funds is making it difficult to complete the disarmament of the ex-fighters. According to the paper, this was announced yesterday by the head of the program, Daniel Kossomina Ouattara.
4. In a prominent story, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) announced that ex-Ivorian military commander General Mathias Doue is coming back home to contest the forthcoming presidential elections. "I'm not a criminal on the run... I'm coming back like Samory," General Doue is quoted as saying. (NOTE: Samory a 19th century ruler who fought against the French and created an empire in western Sudan.)
5. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A front-page story in this paper said that the leader of an Ivorian human rights group has described the trial of people accused of complicity in the dumping of poisonous toxic waste in Cote d'Ivoire as "a charade." The paper quoted the president of the Action for the Protection of Human Rights, lawyer Herve Gouamene, as saying that the case was "biased."
6. In another development, Fraternite Matin reported that Cote d'Ivoire's second port of San Pedro is to export 600,000 tons of cocoa and coffee by the end of 2009. The plan, the paper quoted officials of the port as saying, is designed to increase significantly the traffic of cocoa and coffee. The project, the paper adds, would also help reinforce the partnership between the port of San Pedro and institutions involved in the cocoa and coffee industry.
7. A prominent story in Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said that Ivorian authorities will increase workers' salaries in 2009. According to the paper, the announcement was made yesterday by the Minister of Labor, Hubert Oulaye, during a meeting in Abidjan.
8. L'inter devotes a full page to the US presidential elections. In the wake of the final 2008 presidential debate between John McCain and Barack Obama, the paper published stories culled from international media outlets. One of the items said: "Obamania has gained ground in American rural areas." In a related development, a story in Fraternite Matin said that the Secret Service, which is in charge of the security of the candidates, is taking "seriously" a recent verbal threat made against Barrack Obama. According to the paper, during a meeting of the Republicans in Pennsylvania, a participant shouted "kill him" when the name of the Democratic candidate was mentioned.
Media Coverage of Embassy Activities
Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) briefly reported on a DVC program organized October 14, 2008 by the U.S. Embassy and ARS Paris on the topic: "Media and Elections."
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