United States Embassy (Abidjan)
25 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.
Reports in Ivorian dailies today focused on the government's economic policy and its efforts to fight commercial counterfeiting. The papers also reported on the on-going voter registration operation in Abidjan and updated readers on the H1N1 flu epidemic. Other reports were on the on-going health practitioners' strike, as well as the Integrated Command Center's (ICC) reintegration activities for former combatants.
1. On the country's economic policy, (Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported that the government of Cote d'Ivoire is making efforts to clear its debts. According to the paper, Ms. Djedje Mama, the Chief Executive of the Ivorian Treasury told the press that some 128,914 billons CFA have been disbursed so far by the Ivorian Treasury for this reason. In a related development,
Notre Heure (a daily close to the opposition) reported that Mr. Charles Koffi, the Ivorian Minister of Finance, has initiated a series of economic meetings with potential foreign investors. According to the paper, the minister recently met with German business men in Germany to discuss investment possibilities in Cote d'Ivoire.
Still on economic issues, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported on a seminar organized by the Ivorian commercial authorities to discuss solutions to fight industrial counterfeiting. Mr. Dagobert Banzio, a representative of the Ivorian Minister of Industry, in his opening remarks called for collective sensitization and reinforced control mechanisms to put an end to this illegal practice. According to the paper, a Ministry of Economy report said that counterfeiting results in a yearly loss of some 780 billion CFA in the economy of the country.
2. On the voter registration exercise, L'intelligent d'Abidjan (an independent daily) reported that Mr. Robert Beugre, the President of the Independent Electoral Commission, urged Ivoirians abroad as well as those in the country to make sure they are registered during this final phase of the registration. Mr. Beugre also said that there will be no extension after the registration period ends on June 30, 2009.
Reporting on the same subject, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported that due to some technical problems, this final phase did not start as planned in all the 40 identified sites for Abidjan region. According to the paper, the problems are being urgently addressed to ensure that the process is completed successfully.
3.On the H1N1 flu epidemic in the country, a banner headline in Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) informed readers about a second potential H1N1 flu case. The paper said that the victim is a 20-year old woman, who had been in close contact with the first patient. The article also reminded readers about preventive hygiene instructions that were released by the World Health Organization.
Still on heath issue, Soir Info (a privately owned daily) reported that health practitioners have decided to extend their strike for an additional ten days. According to the paper, this decision was announced yesterday, following a consultative meeting with doctors and health professionals. The health practitioners have been on strike since June 15, 2009 to request better pay and treatment.
4.On the reintegration of former soldiers from the New Forces, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported that the Ivorian Defense Minister, Mr. Amani Michel together with crisis facilitator and Army officers visited cantonment sites in Man. The paper informed readers that these sites, like those in Bouake and Korhogo, will be used to accommodate voluntary former soldiers form the New Forces as recommended by the Ouagadougou Political Agreement.
In a related development, Notre Heure (a daily close to the opposition) reported on the launching of post-conflict support programs in Bouake. According to the paper, the programs are jointly financed by the World Bank and the European Union to support national civic programs for the reintegration of former combatants and others in the same predicament. A total of 60 billion CFA has been allocated for these programs to assist over 11,000 people.
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