United States Embassy (Abidjan)
8 July 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 press today were again dominated by the ongoing peace process. A meeting between the President of the Independent Electoral Commission and Prime Minister Guillaume Soro over the registration exercise and U.N. Special Envoy, Mr. Choi's pronouncement on the peace process were major topics in today's dailies. Reports also focused on Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize awarded yesterday to Brazilian President; French Ambassador's credential letters and a strike at the Ministry of Interior. On U.S. issues, the dailies also reported on the funerals ceremony of the American pop star Michael Jackson.
1. On the voters registration exercise, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported on the meeting on Tuesday between the President of the Ivorian Independent Electoral Commission, Robert Beugre Mambe, and the Prime Minister. The paper quoted the electoral commissioner saying the voter registration exercise is over; this in accordance with the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. The paper further reported on the tasks to be completed in preparation of the upcoming presidential elections including data processing and how to settle dispute that may come up after the publication of the provisional voters' roll.
In a related development, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) indicated that the processing of data collected during the registration will start on July 20, 2009. The paper explained that this operation will help cross check information and minimize frauds and mistakes.
2. In another front-page article, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported on U.N. Special Envoy Y. J. Choi's interview on the Ivorian peace process. Mr. Choi reportedly said that only the voters' registration exercise is closed and that the identification process will continue. He said: "Request for further extension of the exercise could be submitted by political parties and others in accordance with of the electoral laws."
3. Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) shed light on the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize ceremony held yesterday in Paris. Awarded to Brazilian President Luis Ignacio Lula da Silva, the paper indicated that many African heads of states and political leaders including Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade and former Ivorian President Mr. Henri Konan Bedie were present at the ceremony. The paper quoted the recipient who paid tribute to the people of Africa and pledged to support the continent. Organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize was awarded to President Lula for his support for peace, dialogue, democracy, social justice and equal rights.
Still on this topic, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party), published pictures of the ceremony as well as the speech Mr. Bedie delivered during the ceremony where he paid tribute to President Lula and UNESCO General Secretary for their commitment to the peace prize.
4. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported that four diplomats, including new French ambassador H.E Jean-Marc Simon, yesterday presented their credentials letters to the Ivorian President, Laurent Gbagbo. Mr. Jean-Marc Simon used the occasion to renew France's commitment to work with Cote d'Ivoire, the paper indicated.
5. Le Quotidient (a daily close to the ruling FPI Party) reported a strike at the Ministry of Interior. According to the paper, workers launched a three day-strike to press for better working conditions.
6. Finally, many Ivorian newspapers reported on the funeral of the American pop star, Michael Jackson's held yesterday in Los Angeles. L'inter (an independent daily), in a prominent article, indicated that the world paid tribute to the King and called Michael Jackson "the greatest entertainer ever".
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