United States Embassy (Abidjan)
23 June 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 outcomes of the 36th meeting session of ECOWAS Heads of states in Abuja, Nigeria and the implementation of Government-backed plan to address the devastation of heavy rains in Abidjan were major topics in Ivorian dailies today. The papers continued to talk about the voter registration exercise as well as actions taken by health authorities to monitor and prevent an H1N1 flu epidemic. The papers also reported on the Ivorian soccer team's visit to former cocoa and coffee managers, who have been in detention at the Abidjan prison for over a year, without trial; and French President Sarkozy's remarks on Cote d'Ivoire's social and political situation, while in Gabon, recently.
1. On the recently concluded Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of States conference in Abuja, Nigeria, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported on the decisions that came out of the discussions. According to the paper, a fund to develop the Transport and Energy sectors will be created; efforts will be undertaken to improve security in the region, enforce the rule of law and promote and practice good governance.
Reporting on the same meeting, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said that ECOWAS Heads of States advocated for guidelines to mitigate the impacts of the global financial crisis on the economy of the region. The paper also said that Mr. Said Djinnit, the UN Secretary General Special Representative for West Africa, called for improved regional cooperation and integration.
2. On the Governement-backed ORSEC (Rescue and Assistance Plan) Plan to assist victims of heavy rains and mud slides, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) in a prominent article reported that Mr. Sam Etiasse, the manager of the ORSEC Plan, announced that the actual implementation of the project will include resettlement of victims and vulnerable populations. According to the paper, the people impacted are skeptical about their relocation. Mr. Tene Maxime, the chief of Ayakro (one of the sites to be resettled) said "We are very skeptical about government promises." The paper called on the government to fulfill its commitment to prevent what it calls "human rights abuse."
3. On the Independent Electoral Commission's decision to conduct final registration in Abidjan and its surroundings, L'Inter (an independent daily) published a list of selected sites for the operation. A total of 40 sites are designated as processing locations for voter registrations in the district of Abidjan. The operation is due to start on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 through June 30, 2009.
4. Following the confirmed H1N1 flu case in Cote d'Ivoire, Soir Info (an independent daily) reported that Ivorian health authorities are taking actions to monitor any potential H1N1 flu epidemic. According to the paper, authorities are taking measures nationwide to control the situation. According to Dr. Marcel Koffi, from the Ministry of Health, these measures include the setting up of monitoring teams at the country's land borders, airports and sea ports to deal with any potential outbreaks of the H1N1 flu.
5. Ivorian soccer players, including their captain, Didier Drogba, visited cocoa and coffee former managers, who are incarcerated at the Abidjan prison for allegedly embezzling funds. This information was reported by L'intelligent d'Abidjan (an independent daily). According to the paper, Didier Drogba said, "I cannot come to Cote d'Ivoire without seeing you....." (NOTE - The detainees, Ivorian former cocoa and coffee officials, have been incarcerated for almost one year without trial.)
6. On Cote d'Ivoire's politics, L'Inter (an independent daily) reported on the remarks by President Sarkozy's on the Ivorian crisis. According to the paper, Sarkozy said that Ivorian leaders, namely former President Bedie and Guei Robert are accountable for the crisis. Addressing the issue in the margins of the late Gabonese President's funeral, Mr. Sarkozy reportedly called on the people of Gabon people to avoid jeopardizing peace and stability.
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