United States Embassy (Abidjan)
5 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.
Daily newspapers in Cote d'Ivoire today hailed the outcome of the presidential elections in Ghana; they called on the Ivorian political stakeholders to emulate what they called "the best example of power transfer." On the peace process, media reports said the Independent Electoral Commission is demanding that funds be provided for the preparation of the elections. The future of former warlords; the role of the state in Cote d'Ivoire; possible strikes by trade unions; and plans to increase the capacity of the Abidjan Port were the other major news stories.
1. In a banner headline, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) described the election of Ghana's John Atta Mills of the opposition National Democratic Congress party as "a good example of power transfer". In a commentary, the paper recalled that just recently, Ivorian political stakeholders referred to the disputed elections in Kenya and Zimbabwe saying "these elections should serve as a lesson so as to avoid mistakes that had thrown the two countries into violence." The commentator suggested that to pre-empt the mayhem that occurred in Kenya and Zimbabwe, "Ivorian political leaders should just go around the corner to learn a lesson from Ghana," a country that is "reputed to be a model of democracy in Africa." The commentator also pointed out that though the Ghanaian electoral process was scarred with allegations of fraud and electoral irregularities, both candidates - especially the one from the ruling party - "demonstrated a high sense of humility and patriotism to accept defeat and congratulate the winner."
2. Still on the outcome of the presidential elections in Ghana, L'inter (a privately-owned daily) noted that the power shift became true in this country without "any gun shooting." The paper also pointed out that the winner, during his first address, promised "to be the president for all Ghanaians." The report further quoted Chris Fomunyoh of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) as saying "Ghana will experience the second peaceful transition during the last decade;" adding that "this will certainly help buttress democratic transition in this country and reinforce its young institutions."
3. In its weekend edition, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) reported that a leading member of this party urged Ivorians to learn from Ghana and Guinea (Conakry). In an interview published in this paper, Prof Alphonse Djedje Mady, Secretary General of PDCI-RDA was quoted as saying: "Ivorians must choose between the Ghanaian and the Guinean examples."
4. In a front-page report, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said that President Laurent Gbagbo congratulated Ghana's President- elect, John Atta Mills. "This victory, which came out from elections whose perfect organization was recognized by all observers, strengthens democracy in your country and honors the African continent," said the message.
5. Regarding the electoral process in Cote d'Ivoire, a prominent story in Fraternite Matin said that the Independent Electoral Commission is demanding that funds be provided in good time to enable the Commission to conduct the elections this year. According to the paper, the Electoral Commission, which is responsible for organizing presidential elections made the call in a January 4th, 2009 statement. In a separate story, the paper quoted a leading member of the New Forces - the former rebel group - assuring the public that "The elections will be conducted during the year 2009 and that will mark the end of the crisis in Cote d'Ivoire."
6. Meanwhile L'inter carried a commentary suggesting that the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement hangs in a balance due to financial problems facing the Ivorian authorities. On matters concerning funding of the peace process, the paper said that the international community has "abandoned President and his Prime Minister."
7. Another story in L'inter said that within ten days, the control of New Forces' warlords over the territory under their control since September 19, 2002 will come to an end. The report said that January 15 will officially mark the beginning of the redeployment of state administration throughout the country -- in conformity with a recent agreement signed by the presidential and New Forces' delegations --, the former rebels will have to hand over power to government officials. The power shift, the report said, will see customs services and other government services be transferred to mayors and prefects [District Chief Executives] in these regions. In a related development, a prominent report in Le Matin d'Abidjan (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) announced that the Deputy Commander of the New Forces Armed Forces Issiaka Ouattara (alias Wattao) is to quit the movement that allegedly launched a rebellion in Cote d'Ivoire in September 19, 2002. Meanwhile, a report in Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) said the New Forces leader-turned Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, who left the country for vacation in Paris, is expected in Abidjan today. However, Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) hinted that the Ivorian Prime Minister may delay his return for "security reasons." 8. In another front-page story, Nord-Sud Quotidien unveiled a plan believed to be put together by leaders of trade unions to press the Ivorian government to reduce the price of gas. A similar report in L'inter said that cocoa farmers in the south-western Cote d'Ivoire are threatening to embark on strike to protest the committee of experts, which was recently put in place the government, for not taking their problems seriously.
9. A front-page report in Le Nouveau Reveil said that Honorable Mamadou Koulibaly, Speaker of the National Assembly, who is also number two in the ruling FPI party, denounced "the lack of state authority" in Cote d'Ivoire. According to the paper, Koulibaly, who was speaking to a UN radio station in Abidjan, said "Cote d'Ivoire is falling apart."
10. On economic issues, a report in Fraternite Matin said that efforts are underway to increase the capacity of the Abidjan Port. According to the report, the $8,000,000 infrastructure will accommodate the traffic of heavy containers at the port.
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