According to an article in L'Intelligent d'Abidjan (p. 4) President Ouattara fired yesterday Mr. Adama Meite, the right-hand man of Ivorian Minister of Higher Education Cisse Bacongo. The daily noted that the decision came amidst allegations of embezzlement and corruption surrounding the rehabilitation of the country's public universities.

The daily argued that a total of FCFA 40 billion (approximately US $80 million) has reportedly been embezzled. Mr. Meite, an official from the Ministry of Higher Education in charge of the rehabilitation of Abidjan campuses is also accused of insider trading and mismanagement, the paper added.

Still on the issue, Le Nouveau Courrier (p. 3) for its part noted that this financial scandal unveils a malaise within the Ivorian government. "Something is rotten in Ouattara's house," the paper said in a banner headline, adding that Mr. Meite is nothing but a scapegoat in this matter. According to the daily, the move could also be a pretense to postpone the reopening the country's public universities slated for next month.

This daily press review is compiled by the Information Section of the Public Affairs Office of the American Embassy in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. The opinions expressed in these reviews in no way reflect the views of the United States Government and are presented for informational purposes only. The accuracy of reports contained in this summary has not been confirmed by the Embassy.