United States Embassy (Abidjan)
7 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.
The controversy over the date and funding of the long-delayed presidential elections in Cote d'Ivoire was one of the major issues in today's Ivorian newspapers. The dailies also talked about the political atmosphere in Cote d'Ivoire, speculating on the future of the Ivorian peace process. There was more reporting on the prisoner escape from MACA, a prison in Abidjan. The fate of top officials arrested in connection with allegations of embezzlement in the cocoa and coffee sector and military exercise to be conducted by impartial forces stationed in Cote d'Ivoire were the other major news. On world issues, a commentary in one paper said it is time to stop "the massacre" in Gaza; another paper carried an interview with the Ambassador of Israel in Cote d'Ivoire.
1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A prominent story in this paper said that key players in the Ivorian peace process are engaged in a shuttle diplomacy in a bid to settle the issue relating to the funding of the electoral process in Cote d'Ivoire. According to the paper, this question will be the main subject of a meeting today between President Laurent Gbagbo and the Burkinabe President, Blaise Compaore, who is also the facilitator in the Ivorian peace, in Accra Ghana. [Media reports say that both Presidents are currently in the Ghanaian capital to attend the inauguration of the Ghana's President-elect, John Atta Mills.] The report also said that President Compaore and the Chairman of Cote d'Ivoire's Independent Electoral Commission, Robert Beugre Mambe met yesterday in Ouagadougou to address the issue regarding financial problems that are holding back the work of the commission. The spokesperson of the electoral commission reportedly said that "the voter registration exercise is actually stalled due to financial problems." In a separate report, Fraternite Matin informed readers that the Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro yesterday held talks with the electoral commissioner to clarify their positions following a statement made earlier by the Prime Minister's spokesperson, who said that "The government has already provided the bulk of funds needed to the institutions in charge of the electoral process to accomplish their duties."
2. L'inter (an independent daily) announced that "a crucial meeting" of the political stakeholders is due to be held in Abidjan this week amidst controversy over the date and funding of the long-delayed presidential elections in Cote d'Ivoire. The paper suggested that this meeting would enable the Electoral Commission to fix a date for the elections. It further quoted the Electoral Commissioner as saying: "We want a date that could not be changed."
3. While the Electoral Commission is complaining about financial resources, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) noted that the procedure put in place by the government to fulfill its financial obligations for the electoral process is "complex". The paper further explained that the funds are not directly paid to the Electoral Commission but rather to SAGEM - a private group in charge of the identification of the Ivorian population. Still on funding for the elections, Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) called for an audit to find the whereabouts of the funds paid by the government to the institutions in charge of the electoral process to accomplish their duties.
4. In an interview with Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR), the Ivorian former Prime Minister, Charles Konan Banny, was reported as saying that Cote d'Ivoire is being taken "hostage." In a related development, L'intelligent d'Abidjan (a privately-owned daily) said that a leading Ivorian opposition figure is calling for a 24-month transitional period as a way out of the current political stalemate in Cote d'Ivoire. According to the paper, the proposal of Mr. Anaky Kobena, leader of the opposition Mouvement des Forces d'Avenir party was contained in his New Years wishes.
5. On other issues, a story in Le Matin d'Abidjan (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said that the trial of the top officials arrested in connection with allegation of embezzlement in the cocoa and coffee sector is still pending. Explaining the reason behind the delay of the court procedure, the paper said the trial could result in the release of some of the suspected officials. The report further said that the release of any of these detainees could hinder effort being deployed by the Ivorian authorities to qualify for debt relief. In a related development, Fraternite Matin reported that Ivorian authorities yesterday adopted a Poverty Reduction Strategy Document (DSRP) that, it said, could pave the way for the country's demand to be qualified for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative for debt relief.
6. A report in Fraternite Matin said that 21 inmates escaped from the Abidjan prison on Monday. A statement issued by prison officials on the same day however said that the fugitives were only seven. Reporting on the same issue, Soir Info (a privately-owned daily) said that security has been reinforced in and around the prison to forestall any further escape.
7. L'inter published a public statement saying that the impartial troops - the French and UN forces - will conduct a military exercise January 6-16, 2009 in the north-eastern Cote d'Ivoire. The exercise will allow the two forces to work together, the statement added.
MEDIA REACTION TO U.S. - EMBASSY ABIDJAN AND OTHER WORLD ISSUES
Commenting on the events that are currently unfolding in the Gaza in the Middle East, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) called on the belligerents to stop what it called "the massacre." The commentator said "the United Nations failed to adopt a resolution imposing a truce," adding "The United States, which deemed that it was inopportune blocked a Libyan initiative aimed at demanding an immediate end of the Israeli bombardments." The commentator went on to note that "It is only yesterday that President George Bush, who will be living office in a couple of days, has unwillingly called for the end of the fighting." The commentary continued: "The American future and popular President Barack Obama, who has kept quiet, finally spoke out yesterday without proposing anything." Meanwhile, "Human beings are dying every day. Whether they are Palestinians or Israelis, they are all human beings. Their massive deaths should bring those who can influence the actors to react," said the commentary. Still on the situation in Gaza, Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) carried a front-page story quoting the Israeli to Cote d'Ivoire, Benny Omer as saying: "We will fight terrorism into a corner." The paper said Ambassador Omer, who has not yet presented his credential letters vowed that his country will continue his combat against terrorism and dismantle all its henchmen.
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