United States Embassy (Abidjan)
2 January 2009
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 papers focused on New Year's messages to the people of Cote d'Ivoire from President Gbagbo and opposition leaders. The papers also reported on messages from other government agencies as well as from civil society leaders.
1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): In a prominent front-page story, the paper highlighted President Gbagbo's main points in his New Year message. According to the paper, Gbagbo said "The crisis should not stop our dreams...," "The Independent Electoral Commission must rid the country of feelings of uncertainties." The paper said the president noted the progress made so far in the implementation of the peace process. Specifically, Gbagbo talked about the Ouagadougou Political Agreement; campaigns by political parties for the presidential elections; the redeployment of administrative bodies throughout the country; and the identification process. Gbagbo also promised a possible price decrease for fuel.
2. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party): Reporting on the president's message for New Year's Day, the paper quoted Laurent Gbagbo in a front-page story as saying: "Credible date must be set for the upcoming elections in 2009." The paper further summed up the president's message and evaluated the major events that impacted the world in 2008. Regarding the overall internal political situation, the paper added that the president expressed deep confidence for a strong and flourishing Cote d'Ivoire.
3. Still reporting on the president's New Year's Day message, Soir Info (an independent daily) suggested that Gbago "tricked" the Ivorian People, who were expecting firm measures about the decrease of the fuel cost. Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said in a front-page story that Gbagbo announced important projects for 2009. On the other hand, Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) and Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) said that Gbagbo proposed no solution to the difficulties undermining his country.
4. Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) reported on Henri Konan Bedie's (the former ruling PDCI-RDA party's leader) New Year's message. The paper highlighted Bedie's vision for a "new Cote d'Ivoire nation," which according to the paper is "The implementation of the presidential and local elections, and the reconstruction of the country."
5. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition): The daily reported on the RDR party leader, Alassane Ouatara's, message for New Year's Day. The paper said that Ouattara is fully confident that in 2009, the Ivorian people will be able to take up the challenge for their nation in organizing fair, democratic, and peaceful elections to boost Cote d'Ivoire.
6. L'intelligent d'Abidjan (an independent daily): The paper, which also reported on president Gbagbo's message for New Year's Day, reported on messages from other government agencies and civil society leaders. According to the paper, the State Attorney said "Government authority must be established throughout the country;" the Regional Director of National Education from San-Pedro said, "May we have a peaceful school system;" a delegate from the PDCI-RDA political party for Abobo (Abidjan neighborhood)said "May wisdom guide the political leaders;" a former Minister and President of an NGO said "Every citizen should be moved by the increasing rate of poverty;" and the president of the Ivorian Movement of Human Rights said "May 2009 bring about respect for human rights and democratic rule."
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