United States Embassy (Abidjan)
31 December 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.
Today's Ivorian dailies reported on assessments of significant events in 2008. The papers also reported on the identification and peace processes; they also carried New Year messages from the leader of the RDR political party and the Special Representative of the Secretary of the UN Mission in Cote d'Ivoire. Two dailies talked about Ibrahim Coulibaly's (alias IB and ex-rebel leader) desire for talks with political leaders.
1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): Reporting on the assessment of the major events that occurred in 2008, this paper said that the Minister of Economy and Finance highlighted three major events that hit the world: foodstuff, energy, and the financial crisis. According to the paper, the minister said these events pushed the Ivorian government to take measures for good governance and responsible management of public assets. The article further mentioned the fraud issues in the coffee and cocoa industry that brought 23 of the sector's main leaders to jail.
2. On peace process, Fraternite Matin quoted the National Coordinator of the National Program for ex-combatants Reinsertion and Rehabilitation as saying: "Ouaga IV does not endanger the National Program for Reinsertion and Rehabilitation. Rather, it enhances the implementation of this Program."
3. In a headline story on the peace process, L'intelligent d'Abidjan (an independent daily) quoted Ble Goude, the President of Young Patriots as saying: "I fear a second war." According to the daily, he insisted on the disarmament of the ex-combatants, and asked for forgiveness for his trespasses.
4. On the identification and voter registration process, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said that the Independent Electoral Commission warned the Ivorian population against fraudulent practices.
5. Fraternite Matin reported on the RDR party leader, Alassane Ouattara's, message for the New Year in which he said: "I dream of a reconciliated and prosperous Ivorian nation." In a prominent front-page story, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) summarized Alassane Ouattara's message as follows: two priorities to be achieved are the National Identity Card processing and the organizing of the presidential election. The paper also said that Ouattara dreams of a united Ivorian nation in 2009.
6. Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party): The daily published a New Year's message from the Special Representative of the Secretary of the United Nations Mission in Cote d'Ivoire. According to the paper, the Special Envoy urged Ivoirians to consolidate their accomplishment on the peace process, such as the identification and voter registration processes on progress, in order to conduct the presidential elections in 2009. He also said in the message that the UN will continue to assist Cote d'Ivoire in the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement for a peaceful ending of the crisis. Le Nouveau Reveil reported on the same subject.
7. L'inter (an independent daily): On the peace process, the daily reported that Ibrahim Coulibaly alias IB sent his representative to change negative feelings about him. IB was accused leading destabilization actions and instigating the revolt in the Ivorian main prison in Abidjan as reported in the December 15 edition of Fraternite Matin. (Note that IB left the country as a political exile.) In today's Fraternite Matin, the paper said in a headline story that IB is available for dialogue. During a press conference, the representative of the ex-rebel leader declared that IB is favorable to sincere discussions with the Ivorian political leaders.
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We wish that Ouagadougou Political Agreement IV brings ultimate peace to Cote D'Ivoire.All parties are expected to be generous to bring peace and reunite the country under one leadership. The ultimate success will be on having a free and fair election and acceptence of result gracefully.