United States Embassy (Abidjan)
26 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.
Friday's Ivorian dailies were dominated by President Gbagbo's address to the Ivorian bar and the threat of a public demonstration by the Ivorian Students Union (FESCI.) Other reports were on the government's support to victims of heavy rains, as well as the final phase of the voter registration process. The death of American pop star Michael Jackson also made the news.
1. A prominent article in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported on President Gbagbo's address to the Ivorian bar, which was commemorating its fiftieth anniversary in Yamoussoukro, yesterday. According to the paper, President Gbagbo commended the Ivorian lawyers for their commitment to justice and equity and told them of his commitment to the rule of law.
Still on the same ceremony, Notre Heure (a daily close to the opposition) reported on comments by former president of Ghana Jerry Rawlings and Senegal's former president Abdou Diouf. Both presidents appealed to Ivoirians to abide by the principles of democracy, especially during the upcoming elections.
2. Mr. Abdou Diouf, who is the Secretary General of the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF), also met with the Independent Electoral Commission President, Mr. Robert Mambe. According to Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) Diouf's discussion with Mr. Mambe focused on the ongoing registration process and the OIF's support for the operation.
3. Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) reported that the Ivoirian Students Union (FESCI) plans to hold a demonstration that will close down activities in Abidjan on Monday, June 29, 2009. According to the paper, FESCI is protesting a planned strike by teachers. On the plans for the demonstration, the paper quoted Mr. Augustin Mian, the Secretary General of FESCI, who said "We will paralyze Abidjan on Monday, if nothing is done." Mian also reportedly called on President Gbagbo to respond to the demands of the teachers.
Reporting on the same issue, Soir Info (a privately owned daily) said that the planned demonstration by FESCI is to urge national authorities to put an end to what it called "a boycott of the exams". According to the paper Mian said "Our demonstration is contingent upon the outcome of the meeting the President is due to have with the Teachers Unions."
4. On the government's efforts to assist victims of recent heavy rains and mudslides Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) reported that accommodations have been set up for ORSEC Plan in Treichville in the center of Abidjan. According to the paper, the government is working to find lasting solutions to address the issue of heavy rains victims; the government is also looking voluntary support to ensure success in its efforts.
5. Finally, the death of American pop star Michael Jackson was reported in several dailies today. L'intelligent d'Abidjan (an independent daily)told readers that the 50-year old world famous singer suffered a cardiac arrest in Los Angeles, California and that he was planning a series of comeback concerts.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2009 United States Embassy. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
