July 31, 2008

The celebration of the first anniversary of the Flame of Peace amidst speeches and prayers, during a ceremony held in Bouake; the looming cabinet reshuffle; the launch of a biometric passport and a bill on xenophobia passed by the Ivorian Parliamentarians on July 30 were the major news stories in today’s Ivorian newspapers. Soir Info (an independent daily) reported on the PEPFAR photo exhibition on HIV/AIDS organized by the U.S. Embassy on July 28.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): In a prominent story, the paper quoted President Laurent Gbagbo, who called for elections to be held on November 30. The Ivorian leader was speaking yesterday in Bouake, the stronghold of the former Cote d’Ivoire rebels, as the country celebrated the first anniversary the Flame of Peace that marked the official end of the war in this West Africa country. The Burkinabe President, Blaise Compaore, who brokered the Ouagadougou Political Agreement; Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro; and Ivorian opposition leaders, including Alassane Dramane Ouattara (RDR) and Henri Konan Bedie (PDCI-RDA); attended the ceremony. Addressing the gathering, reported the paper, President Gbagbo said the "time has come for Cote d’Ivoire to work for its development." The Ivorian Premier, on his part, called upon the Cote d’Ivoire’s political stakeholders "to put aside their pride to champion the interest of the nation." "Only dialogue will help resolve the problems facing the country," Soro was quoted as saying. The ceremony was marked by prayers by different religious leaders who invited Ivorians to give peace a chance.

2. In a front-page story, Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said that the religious leaders did not mince their words during the ceremony in Bouake. The religious leaders reportedly told the political stakeholders to ban "the culture of violence." In a back-page photo album, the paper showed Ambassador Wanda L. Nesbitt with other officials attending the first anniversary of the Flame of Peace.

3. Reporting on the first anniversary of the Flame of Peace, Nord Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) and Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) said that the Ivorian opposition figure stole the show yesterday in Bouake. According to Nord Sud Quotidien, the former Ivorian President and leader of the PDCI-RDA party was coming to Bouake for the first time since the beginning of the war that divided into Cote d’Ivoire.

4. In a related development, Le Patriote quoted the Military Commander of the UN forces in Cote d’Ivoire, General Amoussou, as saying that the situation in Cote d’Ivoire is returning to "normalcy." According to the paper, General Amoussou was speaking after the dismantlement of the last military post along the so-called Green Line between the Government-controlled south and the north of the country, where former Forces Nouvelles rebels are based, in line with a peace agreement signed last year.

5. L’inter (an independent newspaper): In a front-page story, the paper quoted a reliable source saying that a new government would be formed before August 3. In a related development, Fraternite Matin said that the Federation of Independent Workers Union of Cote d’Ivoire has called for the reduction of the number of the cabinet ministers.

6. Another story in Fraternite Matin said that the government of Cote d’Ivoire yesterday launched a biometric passport. The paper further explained that the decision to establish a biometric passport was taken in 2000 by the West African Heads of State to forestall any forgery of this traveling document. To enable people to acquire the new passport, the government has opened 12 offices across the country, reported the paper.

7. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party): A front-page story in this paper said that the Ivorian Parliament yesterday passed a bill on xenophobia. The bill, explained the paper, is "to discourage any Ivorian nationals or people living in Cote d’Ivoire from any act of racism; xenophobia; tribalism and racial or religious discrimination."

Media Coverage of Embassy Activities

Soir Info (an independent daily) reported on the PEPFAR photo exhibition on HIV/AIDS organized by the U.S. Embassy on July 28. The report highlighted Ambassador Nesbitt’s speech in which she underscored the immense contribution of the United States in fighting the disease in Cote d’Ivoire. "Working with the Ivorian government and with implementing partners ranging from government ministries to local and faith-based organizations, we will provide antiretroviral treatment for 60,000 people in Cote d’Ivoire this year. We will provide HIV/AIDS care for 192,000 people, and we will test 180,000 people," the paper quoted Ambassador Nesbitt as saying.

July 30, 2008

The outcomes of President Laurent Gbagbo’s three-day official visit to neighboring Burkina Faso and the celebration in Bouake today of the First National Reconciliation and Reunification Day to mark the first anniversary of the Peace Flame ceremony were the major stories in today’s Ivorian press. The newspapers also said that the U.N. Security Council on July 29 extended the mandate of a U.N. peacekeeping mission in Cote d’Ivoire ahead of presidential elections scheduled for November 30. The decision by Cote d’Ivoire’s General Union of Workers (UGTCI) to call off its strike and a strike at Cote d’Ivoire’s main international airport yesterday were the other stories in the dailies. The papers also reported on the photography exhibition on PEPFAR’s work to fight HIV/AIDS organized by the U.S. Embassy on July 28.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A prominent story in this paper said that Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso yesterday signed in Ouagadougou a landmark cooperation agreement to climax President Gbagbo’s three-day State visit to the neighboring country. The peace treaty and the bilateral cooperation agreement seek, among other things, to establish an institutional framework for permanent cooperation, reported the paper. On economic issues, many development projects have been set up to buttress the progress of the two countries, the paper further reported. Regarding the situation of the Burkinabe nationals living in Cote d’Ivoire, the two sides agreed to speed up procedures for the effective implementation of President Gbagbo’s recent decision to ban the issuance of resident permits for nationals from West African countries. Reacting to this agreement, President Gbagbo reportedly said: "For me and also for many Ivorians and Burkina Faso nationals, Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso are one and the same fatherland in the heart of West Africa because of our long political, economical, social, cultural and human history."

2. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition): A front-page story in this paper said that the Burkinabe President, Blaise Compaore, is putting pressure on Ivorian political stakeholders to speed up the peace process in their country. "President Compaore called on all the actors in the Cote d’Ivoire crisis and the international community to do everything to make sure the elections will be held on the planned date of November 30," the paper quoted a statement as saying.

3. A banner headline on the front-page of Fraternite Matin announced that Presidents Gbagbo and Compaore are expected today in Bouake to take part in the first anniversary of the "Peace Flame" ceremony that marked the formal end of the war in Cote d’Ivoire. According to the paper, Malian President Amadou Toumani Toure, former Ivorian President Henri Konan Bedie, who is also the chairman of the PDCI-RDA party, and Alassane Dramane Ouattara, leader of the opposition RDR party, have confirmed that they will attend the event in Bouake. Today’s celebration will include prayers by different religious groups.

4. L’inter (an independent newspaper): In a front-page story, the paper said that the Security Council yesterday unanimously approved a resolution that renewed the mandates of its operation in Cote d’Ivoire, and of the French forces which back it, until January 31, 2009 to support "free, open, fair and transparent elections" in Cote d’Ivoire. According to the paper the resolution was sponsored by neighboring Burkina Faso, along with France and South Africa.

5. On a different subject, Soir Info (an independent newspaper) announced that the Cote d’Ivoire’s General Union of Workers (UGTCI) has called off its strike planned to be held on July 31, after talks with the government. According to the paper, the decision was taken yesterday during an extraordinary assembly in Abidjan.

6. Fraternite Matin also reported that many flights were cancelled yesterday due to a strike at Cote d’Ivoire’s main international airport. According to the paper, the movement was staged by employees of ASCENA (Agency for Airborne Security and Navigation in Africa).

Media Coverage of Embassy Activities

Several Ivorian media outlets carried reports on the HIV/AIDS photo exhibition depicting PEPFAR’s impact that was organized by the US Embassy on July 28. Reports in L’inter and Le Patriote focused on Ambassador Nesbitt’s speech in which she underscored the partnership between the United States and Cote d'Ivoire through the PEPFAR program in fighting the disease. AIP, a state-owned news agency and the Pan-African News Agency (APA)[http://www.apanews.net/apa.php?page=show_article&id_article=70911 ] also published reports on the exhibition on their web site.

July 29, 2008

Ties between Cote d’Ivoire and neighboring Burkina Faso and the Ivorian peace process were the dominant issues in today’s Ivorian press, as President Laurent Gbagbo is in Ouagadougou as part of a three-day State visit to Burkina Faso. Reports also said that the leader of the Young Patriots, a movement close to President Gbagbo, vowed to counter a strike call by the Cote d’Ivoire’s General Union of Workers (UGTCI) to protest the high cost of living.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): In a front-page story, the paper quoted President Gbagbo as saying, "Ties between Cote d’Ivoire and neighboring Burkina Faso should be the backbone of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)." The Ivorian leader said the two sister countries should emulate the early relationship between France and Germany that led to the creation of what is known today as the European Union. He also proposed two joint Cote d’Ivoire-Burkina Faso cabinet meetings to be held in both countries. President Gbagbo, who was speaking yesterday during a session of the National Assembly in Ouagadougou, told the Burkinabe lawmakers that "I am here to announce peace." Gbagbo also used the occasion to talk about the "historical and sentimental" relationship between Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso -- formerly known as Haute Volta. "I intend to give all the chances to our future Union through a project that will be built on these historic and economic foundations," Gbagbo told the session.

2. In response to President Gbagbo’s rhetoric, the Speaker of the House, Roch Kabore said: "A new chapter has been opened in the recent historic Cote d’Ivoire-Burkina Faso relationship." In a bid "to consolidate bilateral and regional ties between the two countries," a delegation accompanying President Gbagbo to Ouagadougou held "an important meeting" with their Burkinabe counterpart, reported Fraternite Matin. The Ivorian president also paid a courtesy call on the King of the Mossi tribal group, Moro Naba.

3. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition): With a picture of President Gbagbo gorgeously wearing the "Grand Croix" of the National Order, the highest distinction bestowed on him by his Burkinabe counterpart, Blaise Compaore [facilitator in the Ivorian peace process] the paper quoted the Ivorian president as saying: "The turbulence is over." Commenting on the new relationship between the two West African leaders, the paper asserted that "Gbagbo and Compaore have no choice but to unite or perish." According to the paper, "business activities in both Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso have virtually collapsed as a result of the suspension of commercial exchanges and the sudden stop of financial influx between the two countries." "The two leaders have now realized that the success of their countries does not depend alone on political issues but on economic issues as well," the paper concluded.

4. While President Gbagbo continues his State visit in Ouagadougou, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) quoted a source close to President Compaore saying that the question of cabinet reshuffle was not "the order of the day" during talks between the two Heads of State. [A few days ago, President Gbagbo threatened to dissolve the current government, describing it as "eclectic and ineffective" government when it comes to tackling crisis.]

5. L’inter (an independent daily): A front-page story in this paper alleged that SAGEM the French company, which was tasked to conduct the census of the Ivorians ahead of the upcoming presidential elections, is "under threat," as President Gbagbo intends "to remove the job from the French company." The paper was referring to a story culled from a French newspaper, La Lettre du Continent of July 28, 2008.

6. L’inter carried another front-page story saying that Charles Ble Goude, leader of the Young Patriots, a movement close to President Gbagbo, vowed to counter a strike that was called by UGTCI to protest the high cost of living. According to the paper, the youth leader, who was quoted by AFP – a French News Agency –, said the workers’ union is "meddling with politics," adding, "we’ll go round Abidjan to denounce those who are hiding behind this movement to stop the peace process." Still on UGTCI’s decision to embark on strike from July 31, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) disclosed that the Minister of Public Service and Labor, Hubert Oulaye, has started negotiations with the union’s leaders. According to the paper, the negotiations are still continuing and that the two parties have not yet reached any agreement.

July 28, 2008

President Laurent Gbagbo’s three-day State visit to Burkina Faso and the Ivorian peace process were the dominant issues in today’s Ivorian press. Other reports said that soldiers of the Center for the Integrated Command – a joint government and former rebels military unit – went on the rampage on July 26 over pay. Dailies also said that four Ivorians including the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and internationally known journalist Venance Konan were summoned by the State intelligence service.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): The visit of President Gbagbo to Burkina Faso was the subject of a front-page story in this paper. "The previously troubled relationship between the two neighbors, marked by acrimony and enmity, is over," commented the paper. The cooperation between Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso and the Ivorian peace process are high on the agenda, reported the paper, adding that through this visit, "the two countries want to open a new chapter in their relationship."

2. Among issues to be addressed during this visit, Fraternite Matin mentioned the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, especially "the difficult question regarding the financing of the peace process." The paper further asserted that the two leaders would talk about President Gbagbo’s recent plan to reshuffle the current cabinet. The Ivorian leader, the paper said, will address today the Burkinabe Parliament. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party): A banner headline on the front page of this paper said that President Gbagbo was warmly welcome upon arrival in Ouagadougou yesterday.

3. L’inter (an independent daily): A prominent story in this paper said that angry soldiers of the Center for the Integrated Command (CCI) blocked traffic on the Yamoussoukro-Bouake road on July 26 over delayed pay. Reporting on the same issue, Fraternite Matin carried a front-page story saying that the military high command "defused the tension," as the angry soldiers agreed to open traffic on the road following payment of part of their allowances. The paper recalled that the Center for the Integrated Command was set up to ensure security in the former confidence zone after the removal of check-points in April 2007 by President Gbagbo and his Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro.

4. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition): A prominent story on the front-page of this paper said that the State intelligence service is searching for the President of the Ivorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jean-Louis Billon. According to the paper, Mr. Billon and three other personalities including N’Gouan Patrick, President of the Ivorian League of Human Rights (LIDHO); Mr. Mesmin Comoe, President of the Movement for the Defense of the Rights of Teachers; and Venance Konan, a well-known freelance journalist, were summoned to report July 29 at the office of the State intelligence service for interrogation. According to the paper, Mr. Billon said he was previously summoned by the intelligence authority, while Konan said he was not aware of the summons.

5. Regarding the high cost of living in Cote d’Ivoire, Fraternite Matin said that consumers have rejected a plan to increase the price of bread from F CFA 150 to F CFA 200 beginning August 2. According to the paper, the President of UNACOQ – the National Union for Quality Consumers – has called upon the population to boycott the bread to protest against this decision. To fight the food crisis in Cote d’Ivoire, reported Fraternite Matin, the Minister of Planning and Development launched a project to ensure food sufficiency in Cote d’Ivoire. The project, said the paper, was financed by national and international donors including the WFO and UNDP.

 

Media Coverage of Embassy Activities

Cote d’Ivoire state-owned television network – RTI-TV1 – carried over the weekend footage of participants, including DCM Cynthia Akuetteh and the Minister of National Reconciliation, who attended a DVC on tolerance on July 24 organized by PAS Abidjan. ARS speaker Dr. Susan Perry spoke during the program. The report mostly highlighted the Reconciliation Minister’s message that tolerance is one of the essential catalysts for peace and reconciliation. Radio Cote d’Ivoire (the national radio station) and Radio Nationale Catholique (a Roman Catholic radio station in Abidjan) also carried the message of the reconciliation minister.

carried over the weekend footage of participants, including DCM Cynthia Akuetteh and the Minister of National Reconciliation, who attended a DVC on tolerance on July 24 organized by PAS Abidjan. ARS speaker Dr. Susan Perry spoke during the program. The report mostly highlighted the Reconciliation Minister’s message that tolerance is one of the essential catalysts for peace and reconciliation. also carried the message of the reconciliation minister.

July 25, 2008

Many Ivorian newspapers today predicated that President Laurent Gbagbo’s plan to form a new cabinet would be high on the agenda, as the Ivorian leader is expected to hold talks with his Burkinabe counterpart during a three-day state visit scheduled for July 27-29. The papers also reported that the Rally of the Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) – a coalition of four major opposition parties – are meeting on the current social and political crisis in Cote d’Ivoire. The identification process in preparation of the upcoming presidential election was the other news that dominated front-page stories in the Ivorian newspapers.

1. Soir Info (an independent daily): The paper published an official communique announcing that President Laurent Gbagbo is expected in Ouagadougou July 27-29, 2008 as part of a State visit to Burkina Faso at the invitation of his Burkinabe counterpart, Blaise Compaore, who is also the facilitator in the Ivorian peace process. During this visit, Gbagbo and Compaore will have a tete-a-tete; the paper quoted the communique as saying. It asserted that the Ivorian leader would use this opportunity to discuss with the facilitator "his intention to change the composition of the current government." The paper recalled that a few days ago, President Gbagbo called for "a new cabinet whose members will be effectively prepared to help push forward the peace process." The paper suggested that during his visit to Burkina Faso, "Gbagbo would seek to have the blessing of the facilitator in order to move forward with his Prime Minister."

2. While speculations over the cabinet reshuffle continue, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) enumerated what it called "obstacles that could prevent Gbagbo from restructuring the cabinet." The paper commented that after the furor sparked by Gbagbo’s threat to change the current government, now the big question is "how the President is going to dissolve a government that was formed after the Ouagadougou Political Agreement without denying the same accord." The paper also suggested that this plan would "jeopardize the other institutions that were set up following the signing of this agreement," adding that President Compaore, according to reliable sources, has expressed "his reserve" over this issue.

3. L’inter (an independent daily): A front-page story in this paper said that the leadership of the Rally of the Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) is meeting today in the central city of Daoukro to adopt "a common strategy" in response to the current crisis generated by the high cost of living and the decision by President Gbagbo to reshuffle the cabinet. According to the paper, the ruling FPI is also meeting today with the press to announce the parties’ positions regarding recent developments in this country.

4. As the Rally of the Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace is meeting, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned) questioned "the cohesion" within the opposition alliance. The commentator said that the dilemma facing the Ivorian opposition groups today is "to be or not be in the government." It went on to say that many political observers believe that the recent strikes following the hikes in petrol prices and President Gbagbo’s recent statement would seriously endanger efforts to implement the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. However, the commentary concluded, the same observers speak optimistically about Gbagbo’s next visit to Burkina Faso, which, they said, could help find an appropriate solution to the crisis.

5. In an editorial entitled "victory" relating to recent political developments in Cote d’Ivoire, Fraternite Matin said: "On the political ground, Gbagbo has won a big victory, not for himself but for the whole Nation. By traveling to Seguela and Vavoua, he [Gbagbo] has confirmed to the national and international communities the State’s supremacy over the entire country."

6. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party): A prominent story in this paper said the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) and SAGEM were not able to convince President Gbagbo yesterday when the French company, which was tasked to conduct the identification of Ivorians in the perspective of the forthcoming presidential elections, presented its plan of operation to the president. According to the paper, President Gbagbo, who was concerned about the delay of the identification process, asked the institutions in charge of this program "to speed up the process" in order to meet the November 30 deadline.

July 18, 2008

Today’s news reports said that the Ivorian government is to engage in a series of consultations with consumer associations and drivers’ unions in a bid to end the strike over rising fuel prices that has paralyzed businesses for the past few days in Cote d’Ivoire. The report also said that the World Food Program (WFP) donated $ 490,000 to Cote d’Ivoire to address the food crisis. Rumors of a coup d’etat in Cote d’Ivoire and the death of two security forces of the Integrated Command Center – a joint command of government and New Forces military forces – were the other major stories in today’s Ivorian papers. Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI newspaper) also reported on a meeting between a delegation from the United States’ Embassy in Abidjan and the leadership of the New Forces.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): The paper announced that the Ivorian government is committed to find measures in order "to reduce the negative effects of the rocketing fuel prices in Cote d’Ivoire." The paper published the full text of a televised statement from the government announcing a series of consultations between the government and all the consumer associations and drivers’ unions today. These consultations will be followed by a cabinet meeting on July 19 and a Council of Ministers on July 20 "to find a solution to the problem," said the statement. According to the paper, businesses in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire’s commercial capital were paralyzed again yesterday, as taxi and minibus drivers continued their strike over rising fuel prices, ignoring a call from the drivers’ union leaders to resume work after a meeting with President Laurent Gbagbo on July 16. Reports also said that in some suburbs of Abidjan, there had been demonstrations by drivers who erected barricades and held placards with message reading, "We’re hungry! We’re tired! They must reduce the price of petrol."

2. In a prominent story, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) said that President Gbagbo "bowed down" following pressure from taxi and minibus drivers and the two–day nationwide strike called by the Cote d’Ivoire General Union of Workers (UGTCI) to protest against the high cost of living. In a related development, L’inter (a privately-owned daily) predicted that the situation may worsen, as taxi and minibus drivers are planning to organize rallies and marches next week.

3. In a front-page story Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) noted that the two strikes were "a success, as workers in Abidjan and other parts of the country stayed home." According to the paper, the Rally of the Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace – an opposition alliance - is set to announce today its position on the current political and social situation prevailing in Cote d’Ivoire.

4. Meanwhile, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) accused the opposition RDR party of Alassane Dramane Ouattara of being behind the protests over the high cost of living. The paper alleged that the party of the Ivorian opposition figure is trying to use the "legitimate anger of taxis drivers" as a pretext "to achieve political ambition." In a separate story, the paper accused Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) of "inciting people to revolt." Regarding the coverage of the ongoing strikes by the state-owned media, Le Patriote questioned whether "the RTI – the state-owned Broadcasting Corporation – is still a public media." According to the paper, the national television has imposed "a total black-out on the problems regarding the high cost of living and the ongoing strikes."

5. A report in Fraternite Matin said that the World Food Program (WFP) donated $ 490,000 to Cote d’Ivoire to address the current food crisis. According to the paper, this contribution is to finance projects aiming at raising agricultural productivity and assist vulnerable communities in the rural areas that have been affected both by the longstanding crisis and the current rocketing food prices.

6. In another development, the lead front-page story in Le Matin d’Abidjan (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported that the Ivorian army is on "high alert following rumors of a coup d’etat." The story speculated that unnamed individuals might be trying to use the current protests over rising prices to destabilize the country.

7. A report in Fraternite Matin said that the New Forces denied their implication in the death of two security forces of the Integrated Command Center – a joint command of government and New Forces military forces. According to the paper, two gendarmes were killed July 10 in an ambush.

Media Coverage of Embassy Activities

Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI newspaper) carried a report on a meeting between a joint delegation from the United States Embassy and the Carter Foundation, led by DCM Cynthia Akuetteh, and the leadership of the New Forces on July 15 in Bouake. According to the paper, discussion focused on the peace process and the preparation and supervision of the upcoming elections. The positive report also said that the American delegation visited the Western-central city of Seguela, where disgruntled former New Forces’ fighters went on rampage a couple of weeks ago. [Note: The paper copied the information from the website of the New Forces www.fninfo.ci]

carried a report on a meeting between a joint delegation from the United States Embassy and the Carter Foundation, led by DCM Cynthia Akuetteh, and the leadership of the New Forces on July 15 in Bouake. According to the paper, discussion focused on the peace process and the preparation and supervision of the upcoming elections. The positive report also said that the American delegation visited the Western-central city of Seguela, where disgruntled former New Forces’ fighters went on rampage a couple of weeks ago. [ The paper copied the information from the website of the New Forces ]

July 17, 2008

A two-day strike action called by Cote d’Ivoire General Union of Workers (UGTCI) and the strike staged by taxi and minibus drivers to protest recent fuel price hikes were the major stories in today’s Ivorian newspapers. A meeting yesterday between President Laurent Gbagbo and Y.J. Choi, the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Representative in Cote d’Ivoire, on the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire was also covered. Soir Info, an independent newspaper, and Le Patriote, close to the opposition RDR Party, also reported on a meeting between a delegation from the United States’ Embassy in Abidjan and the leadership of the New Forces in Bouake.

1. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party): In a prominent story, the paper announced that taxi and minibus drivers suspended their strike. According to the paper, the announcement was made by leaders of drivers’ unions following their meeting with President Laurent Gbagbo yesterday. "Drivers and unions called off the strike," reported Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily), which published on its front page a picture of President Gbagbo flanked by leaders of drivers’ unions. The paper quoted one of the leaders as saying, "the breakthrough came after intense bargaining," adding, "we are, therefore, urging all our colleagues to resume work tomorrow [July 17] and to look forward to the outcome of our discussions with the head of state." According to the paper, a second round of negotiations has been slated for July 18 between the Ivorian leader and drivers.

2. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (a privately-owned daily): A banner headline on the front page of this paper said: "The government disapproves of the strike called by UGTCI to protest over the high cost of living." In a statement, the government said: "This strike completely violates the spirit and letter of Ivorian legislation, because it does not respect the legal deadline of six days. Nothing prevents the UGTCI from respecting the six-day deadline and entering into discussions with the employers as envisaged by the law." The Minister of Public Service and Employment, Hubert Oulaye, also invited the leaders of the union to negotiate with him as early as tomorrow [July 17] so as to examine the points of concern to be submitted to the government.

3. In a related development, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) said that UGTCI has maintained its two-day nationwide strike despite the government’s declaration that the movement is "illegal." The paper called the decision by Dignite, another leading workers’ union in Cote d’Ivoire, to dissociate itself from the movement as "a betrayal." In a statement, published by the paper, Dignite called on workers to ignore a 48-hour nationwide strike as of today called by UGTCI. Meanwhile, the paper published another statement issued by the Ivorian Workers Party (PTI) saying "the PIT supports the action of UGTCI in its quest for well-being and social justice." In a prominent story, L’inter (an independent newspaper) noted that trade unions are not speaking with one voice as to how to resolve the high cost of living in Cote d’Ivoire.

4. On the Ivorian peace process, Fraternite Matin said the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Representative in Cote d’Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, expressed concerns about the delay in the beginning of the identification program. According to the paper, Mr. Choi, who was speaking after meeting President Gbagbo yesterday, said: "I hope the identification program will start soon so as to meet the deadline of August 30, the date on which the provisional voters’ register should be published." Mr. Choi reportedly described the identification process as "a key step" that will enable Cote d’Ivoire to respect the date of November 30 set for the presidential elections.

Media Coverage of Embassy’s Activities

Soir Info (an independent daily) and Le Patriote (close to the RDR opposition party) carried a report on a meeting between a joint delegation from the United States Embassy and the Carter Foundation led by DCM Cynthia Akuetteh and the leadership of the New Forces on July 15 in Bouake. According to the paper, discussion focused on the peace process and the preparation and supervision of the upcoming elections. The positive report also said that the American delegation visited the Western-central city of Seguela, where disgruntled former New Forces’ fighters went on rampage a couple of weeks ago. [Note: Both papers copied their information from the website of the New Forces www.fninfo.ci]

July 16, 2008

President Laurent Gbagbo’s reported statement that "after the elections, you’ll get your national identity cards," generated commentaries in today’s Ivorian newspapers. The peace process and the upcoming presidential elections; the strike called by taxi and minibus drivers to protest recent fuel price increases; and the Cote d’Ivoire Workers Union call for a two-day nationwide strike beginning from July 17 were the other top stories in the dailies. Newspapers also reported on the Buruli Ulcer, a tropical disease, which is causing havoc in Cote d’Ivoire, as well as an alleged threat on an opposition newspaper.

1. L’inter (an independent newspaper): A prominent headline in this paper said: "The decision to issue national identity cards after the elections violates the Ouagadougou Political Agreement." During his visit to the Western-central city of Seguela July 14, President Gbagbo, said the paper, told the residents that "you’ll have your identity cards after the elections." The paper referred to Section 2.3.3 of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement which states that: "The voter who shall not have withdrawn his voter card within the deadline specified in the paragraph mentioned above, will however, be able to vote with his new national identity card if he is normally registered on the voter register." Against this background, L’inter explained that voters could use their national identity cards if they want to exercise their franchise during the coming elections. It went on to suggest that this statement from the president virtually "buried one of the major grievances that triggered the rebellion" in Cote d’Ivoire six years ago. The paper concluded that through this statement, the Ivorian leader was just trying "to delay a bomb" that should be "defused now."

2. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition): Commenting on Gbagbo’s statement, the paper said that Cote d’Ivoire is back to "square one." The paper believed that with the peace process underway in this country, Ivorians are "close to having their national identity cards and to defer it even for one day is unacceptable." It then questioned the rationale of President Gbagbo’s decision when his Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, who is also the leader of the New Forces (the former rebel movement), "keeps on telling his former fighters that they will have their national identity cards." Reacting to the statement, a leading member of the opposition RDR party of Alassane Dramane Ouattara rejected any plan to issue the national identity cards after the elections.

3. On the peace process, a front-page item in Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said that the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on July 14 commended Cote d’Ivoire’s political leaders for their commitment to a peace agreement reached last year. The paper published a United Nations’ report which said: "Mr. Ban welcomed the 30 November date for the presidential election, along with the Government’s adoption of decrees relating to the polls," adding "these important developments mark the beginning of the electoral process in earnest." However, "Mr. Ban is deeply concerned about the funding challenges facing the cantonment process, as well as the very low number of serviceable weapons surrendered to date by cantoned combatants," Reported the paper.

4. Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR): The paper ran a front-page story alleging that the ruling FPI party is planning to organize "frauds" during the identification and registration of voters through a program dubbed: "Operation Inundation." In a related development, Le Jour Plus (another daily close to the opposition) raised an alarm bell alleging that the Ivorian Interior Minister is trying to "take control of the electoral process."

5. Regarding the current situation in Cote d’Ivoire after the recent fuel price increases, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) said UGTCI – the Cote d’Ivoire General Workers Union – is calling for a two-day nationwide strike beginning from July 17 to protest the high cost of living. The paper quoted the Secretary General of UGTCI as saying, "We want the freeze on salaries and promotions to be lifted." A front-page story in Fraternite Matin said that businesses in Abidjan were virtually brought to a standstill yesterday, as taxi and minibus drivers staged a second day of strikes to protest recent fuel price increases. On the salary issues, the paper quoted the Minister of Mining and Energy as saying that the government is working with the workers to find a solution. Meanwhile, L’inter ran a prominent story saying that the ghost-city movement launched by taxi and minibus drivers has been "suspended" following assurances from President Gbagbo that he would meet them to negotiate.

6. On health issues, Le Jour Plus reported that Cote d’Ivoire is the most affected by Buruli Ulcer, a tropical disease. In a bid to stem the effect of this disease, the Ministry Of Health on July 12 launched in San Pedro a testing awareness campaign. The paper quoted the minister as saying that about 2,000 new cases have been registered since 2007.

7. Finally, a report in Le Patriote said that unidentified people threatened to set ablaze the office of this paper. The report said the publisher of the paper received text messages, some of them reading: "Stop threatening the President of the Republic otherwise you and some of your collaborators will regret being journalists. You have one week to stop your menace, otherwise I and my friends will burn down your newspaper."

July 15, 2008

President Laurent Gbagbo’s July 14 visit to Seguela and Vavoua in the Western-central region, where disgruntled former fighters went on a rampage a couple of weeks ago, was a subject of front-page stories in today’s Ivorian papers. The papers also reported on the impacts of the public drivers’ strikes in reaction to high fuel prices; the conference on women in leadership positions; and the conclusion of a meeting of West African security forces in Abuja, Nigeria.

1. In a front-page story, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) reported that President Laurent Gbagbo pledged that the plan to hold presidential election on November 30, 2008 remains on track. In one of the story's photographs President Gbagbo is flanked by Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro and other officials as he spoke to residents in Seguela during his visit to this region, where a couple of weeks ago, former fighters of the New Forces protested violently over their disarmament allowances. According to the paper, President Gbagbo used this opportunity to call on his fellow citizens to believe in their capacity to overcome the difficulties of the war. He told the gathering of hundreds of the regions residents that "the time has come for Cote d’Ivoire to rise up and I’m ready to rise to the challenge." The paper also reported that Prime Minister Soro said "we now have money for the elections. Today, I’m happy to say that after the meeting of the Evaluation and Support Committee [CEA] of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement last week, the budget for the financing of the presidential elections has been completed. There is no more problem…,"

2. Also reporting on the president's visit to this region, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) quoted President Gbagbo as telling the people that "after the elections, you’ll get your national identity cards." According to the paper, this statement from the president was a "complete contradiction" with the Ouagadougou Political Agreement signed in March 2007 between President Gbagbo and Soro, the New Forces leader-turned Prime Minister. To point out the contradiction, the paper published sections of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, which states that "Voters, who could not meet the deadline to collect their voting cards, could however use their national identity cards, if they are regularly registered on the electoral rolls."

3. On the issue of the high cost of fuel, L’inter (an independent newspaper) reported that activities in Abidjan and its surroundings were virtually brought to a standstill yesterday as drivers called for a nationwide ghost-city demonstration to protest the recent fuel hikes in Cote d’Ivoire. In some areas, the paper said there were clashes between police demonstrators. "Abidjan crippled," said another prominent headline carried by Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party). According to the paper, the protest spilled over to other major towns including the port city of San Pedro and Gagnoa in central Cote d’Ivoire. Le Patriote told readers that the demonstration will continue. However, a front-page story in Fraternite Matin said drivers will resume work today. Many privately-owned dailies including Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) in a related development, said that workers’ unions are demanding salary increase. According to the paper, UGTCI – Cote d’Ivoire Workers General Union – is to hold an emergency meeting today to take a decision following the increases of gas prices in Cote d’Ivoire. "We must force the government to reduce the prices, we’re ready to go to the street," the paper quoted some union leaders as saying.

4. On a different subject, Fraternite Matin reported that women from twenty associations have been meeting since July 14 to map out a strategy aimed at increasing Ivorian women representatives in the country’s national institutions. The program is jointly organized by the United Nations Funds for Women Development and the United Nations Development Program. Participants at the conference noted that, out of the 196 mayors in Cote d’Ivoire, only nine are women. At the government level, the participants also deplored the fact that only three women are represented in the 33-member current cabinet.

5. Finally, on the efforts to fight crime in the West African sub region, Fraternite Matin reported that security forces from 15 countries, including Cote d’Ivoire, recently met in Abuja, Nigeria to discuss effective collaboration in fighting crime and also work on creating an environment conducive to the free movement of people and goods in the region.

July 14, 2008

The preparation for the November 30 presidential election in Cote d’Ivoire was one of the major stories in today’s Ivorian press. President Laurent Gbagbo’s today visit to Seguela and Vavoua in the Western-central region, where disgruntled former fighters went on a rampage a couple of weeks ago, was also a subject of front-page stories. The papers also reported on the case of the Franco-Canadian journalist, Guy-Andre Kieffer, who disappeared in April 2004 in Cote d’Ivoire, as well as on the recent hike of petrol prices.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): The paper carried a front-page story quoting the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative in Cote d’Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, who said that "there are three major obstacles to overcome" for the November 30 presidential election. The paper said that Mr. Choi made this comment after a meeting with Ivorian ex-President and leader of the former ruling PDCI-RDA party, Henri Konan Bedie, over the weekend. The paper further said that the discussions between the two men focused on "the funding, logistics problems and the security issue of the upcoming election." Mr. Choi reportedly said that despite these problems, "we must be optimistic so as to be able, within the four-and-half months, to meet the deadline for the November 30, which is a decisive and a turning point in the peace process." Mr. Choi also said "the budget for the organization of the polls is almost completed."

2. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI): In a front-page story, the paper suggested that the presidential election scheduled for November 30 could be delayed because "the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) continues holding back the work of other institutions involved in the preparation of the polls."

3. Fraternite Matin published some excerpts from a statement by the Independent Electoral Commission, which said "it is committed to collaborate with all national and international institutions" taking part in the preparation of the election. The statement also said that "the CEI reiterates its profound gratitude to its national and international partners, which are contributing in an efficient manner to reinforce and to consolidate its actions and initiatives in order to give Ivorians clean, transparent and credible election that is conform to democratic standard."

4. Still on the upcoming election, in a front-page story, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) reported on what it called "a plan crafted by the Ivorian Interior Minister to enable President Laurent Gbagbo to win the forthcoming polls." According to the paper, the plan is contained in a ten-page document and seeks, among other things, "to control the identification program and the voters’ registration exercise."

5. Regarding the case of the missing Franco-Canadian journalist, Guy-Andre Kieffer, who disappeared in April 2004 in Cote d’Ivoire, Notre Voie reported on what it called "the untold story about the relationship between the missing journalist and some French consultants, leaders of Commodities Corporate Consulting (CCC)." According to the paper, the missing journalist worked with the Commodities Corporate Consulting as a consultant before quitting the company over a money dispute. [NOTE: On July 11, the Ivorian Attorney General, Raymond Tchimou, called for four French consultants to be charged over the 2004 disappearance of a Canadian journalist in Abidjan. The Attorney General alleged that missing journalist Guy-Andre Kieffer, who disappeared in April 2004 while researching a story on corruption in Ivory Coast's cocoa industry, received threats from the four with whom he worked as a consultant. Two of the French consultants, who headed the Commodities Corporate Consulting (CCC), made death threats against Kieffer, Tchimou said at a news conference in Abidjan.]

6. The recent increases in the fuel prices in Cote d’Ivoire were today a subject of front-page story in Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party). The paper questioned why gas is more expensive in Cote d’Ivoire as compared to the prices in other countries, like Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, which rely on Cote d’Ivoire for petrol products. In a related development, L’inter (an independent newspaper), in a prominent story, said taxi drivers are threatening to stop working today to protest the increases of the fuel prices, while civil servants are pressing the government to increase their transport allowances.

7. In a bid to alleviate the high cost of living in Cote d’Ivoire, the government announced a reduction in the State’s expenditures, said a front-page story in Fraternite Matin. According to the paper, the move was announced by the Minister of Economy during a recent TV program.

8. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (a privately-owned daily) reported on the stepped-up security in Seguela and Vavoua in the Western-central region. This is in response to President Laurent Gbagbo's upcoming official visit to the region, where disgruntled former fighters went on a rampage a couple of weeks ago.

9. Finally, a report in L’inter said that Female Genital Mutilation in the Northern region of Worodougou is at an 80% all time high. According to the paper, this is the highest in Cote d’Ivoire. The paper reported that UNFPA and UNICEF have jointly launched an awareness campaign in this region in attempts to stop the practice.

July 10, 2008

Reports in today’s Ivorian newspapers focused on the World Bank findings on racketeering in Cote d’Ivoire. The papers also reported on a French court's subpoena of President Laurent Gbagbo's wife on the disappearance of a French-Canadian journalist in Abidjan in 2004; the recent increases in fuel prices; President Laurent Gbagbo’s anti-corruption campaign; and the state of the media in Cote d’Ivoire.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): In a front-page story, the paper quoted a World Bank report, which said "every year, security forces in Cote d’Ivoire illegally collected as much as FCFA 150 billion from roadblocks." According to the paper, the findings were published yesterday during a World Bank conference in Abidjan. Present at this conference were local World Bank officials, Ambassador Wanda L. Nesbitt, the head of the military high-command - General Philippe Mangou, as well as government ministers in charge of industry. The paper said that in just the cities, "racketeering results in as much as FCFA 25.8 billion." According to the World Bank report, "racketeering has important impacts on Cote d’Ivoire’s economy, including the sky rocketing prices of food commodities on the Ivorian market." The paper listed some of the other impacts which were mentioned in the Bank report as "holding back the competition amongst companies; hindering the free movement of people and goods; and making it difficult for the government to collect revenues."

2. Reporting on the same issue, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition), quoted General Mangou, who seems to dispute the figures, saying "The reporters should have worked with us to have the correct figures." According to the paper, General Mangou used the occasion to highlight "measures that have been put in place in order to reduce the number of checkpoints on the roads." The paper also quoted Ambassador Nesbitt, who advised that "this is not the time to fight over figures. What is important is to find a solution to the problem through dialogue."

3. In reaction to the summons for the Ivorian First Lady, Simone Gbagbo, to testify in Paris on June 10 before a French judge on the case of Guy-Andre Kieffer, Fraternite Matin accused the French judge of "abuse of power." According to the paper, the channel used by the judge to summon the wife of President Gbagbo was "non-conventional." [NOTE: Dailies in Cote d’Ivoire reported June 9 that Simone Gbagbo and Paul Antoine Bohoun Bouabre, a former Minister of Economy, have been summoned to testify in Paris on June 10 before a French judge on the case of Guy-Andre Kieffer, a French-Canadian journalist, who went missing in Abidjan in 2004. Kieffer went missing while researching a story on corruption in the Ivorian cocoa sector. Previous reports also quoted officials at the Ministry of Justice saying that they were not aware of any summons for Mrs. Gbagbo to be questioned over the missing journalist and that they learned about this summons on Radio France International (RFI) – a French international broadcasting network.]

4. On the fuel price increases, a front-page story in L’inter (a privately-owned daily) said "anger is growing". The paper quoted Guei Bombet, President of the opposition Renaissance party, as saying: "If the government does not collapse, we won’t get anything." According to the paper, Bombet was reacting to recent fuel hikes. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) also carried a similar report saying that "the days to come are likely to be difficult, as drivers and consumer associations, including the Association for the Protection of the Consumers (ANAPROCI) and the Federation of Drivers, are calling for demonstration beginning today."

5. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) published a long article explaining the motive behind President Gbagbo’s fight against corruption. According the paper, by taking the initiative designed to crackdown on corruption, Gbagbo has opted for good governance.

6. Regarding the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire, Fraternite Matin announced that the fifth Meeting of the Committee Overseeing the Ouagadougou Political Agreement signed in March 2007 between President Gbagbo and Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, also leader of the New Forces, is due to open today in Ouagadougou, Burkinabe capital. The paper said that the meeting will be chaired by the facilitator in the Ivorian peace process, President Blaise Compaore, and that discussions will focus on the funding of the peace process.

7. On the state of the media in Cote d’Ivoire, Fraternite Matin reported that a committee, which was tasked by the Ministry of Communication, has made recommendations to open up the audiovisual sector beyond government ownership and allow private businesses or individuals to also have ownership in this sector.

July 9, 2008

Ivorian newspapers today reported that a French court has summoned the wife of President Laurent Gbagbo over the disappearance of a French-Canadian journalist in Abidjan in 2004. The recent increases in fuel prices and the Ivorian peace process were also subjects of front-page stories in the dailies.

1. La Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party): With pictures of the Ivorian First Lady, Simone Gbagbo, and Paul Antoine Bohoun Bouabre, former Economy Minister, on its front page, the paper told readers that "the two big fishes are summoned in France." According to the paper, Simone Gbagbo and Paul Antoine Bohoun Bouabre have been summoned to testify in Paris on June 10 before a French judge tasked with the case of Guy-Andre Kieffer, a French-Canadian journalist, who went missing in Abidjan in 2004 while researching a story on corruption in the Ivorian cocoa sector.

2. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): Reporting on the same issue, this paper quoted the lawyer of the First Lady as saying: "Mrs. Gbagbo has not received any summons. She has nothing to do with this affair. She cannot respond to any summons." The paper further reported that officials at the Ministry of Justice said they were not aware of any summons for Mrs. Gbagbo to be questioned over the missing journalist and that they learned yesterday about this affair on Radio France International (RFI) – a French international broadcasting network. Fraternite Matin insinuated that people are trying "to politicize" the case of Guy-Andre Kieffer. The paper also believed that in the face of blatant "lack of evidence," French investigators are suspecting Ivorian officials "close to the Head of State" on the grounds that the journalist was abducted in the parking lot of an Abidjan supermarket in April 2004 where he was due to meet Michel Legre, the First Lady’s brother-in-law.

3. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (a privately-owned daily): In a prominent story, the paper quoted the lawyer of the First Lady who threatened "to take RFI to court." "The report on RFI on this matter [the disappearance of a French-Canadian journalist] is unhealthy and not serious. We are working on it to see whether we should sue RFI for defamation." Reacting to the same story about a reported summons to the Ivorian First Lady, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) claimed that "French justice again gets involved in Cote d’Ivoire." The paper described the French judge’s summons as "contemptuous," adding this decision was "a provocation."

4. Fraternite Matin: Reporting on a meeting July 8 between President Laurent Gbagbo and a delegation of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), the paper quoted the Chairman of the electoral commission as saying that "The date of November 30 set for the upcoming presidential election will be respected." Robert Beugre Mambe reportedly said: "The Head of State is personally concerned about the question of funding for the election; and has committed his collaborators to work so that this issue should not hinder the progress of the electoral process."

5. On a different issue, Fraternite Matin reported that all the leaders of militia groups operating in Western Cote d’Ivoire met with the Center of Integrated Command (CCI) July 8 in Yamoussoukro on the disarmament program. According to the paper, the awareness campaign for the disarmament and disbandment of the militia groups is due to begin on July 22 in the Western regions.

6. Another report in Fraternite Matin said that the new commander of Licorne – the French troops in Cote d’Ivoire – was presented July 8 to President Gbagbo. Commenting on the political and social situation in Cote d’Ivoire, General Philippe Houbron expressed "optimism," but added that we need to be "vigilant, because there are still some obstacles ahead us." In another development, Fraternite Matin published an article culled from a French newspaper indicating that investigations into a raid conducted by government forces in Cote d’Ivoire killing 9 French soldiers in 2004 has been delayed due to "reasons of State."

7. Finally, a story in Le Patriote said that the Federation of Active Consumer Associations of Cote d’Ivoire is calling for a two-day nationwide ghost city movement, starting from July 10, to protest against the recent increases in fuel prices.

July 8, 2008

The decision by the authorities in Cote d’Ivoire to raise the prices of the domestic gas by as much as 44 percent continued to dominate reports in today’s Ivorian press. Reports also said that a court in Cote d’Ivoire’s economic capital Abidjan has started hearing the case of top officials who were arrested a few days ago as part of a massive anti-corruption campaign. Reports also continue on President Laurent Gbagbo’s planned visit to the Western-central region, where disgruntled former rebels recently went on a rampage. L’inter (a major newspaper in Cote d’Ivoire) published the full text of Ambassador Nesbitt's 4th of July message.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A front-page story in this paper said that a day after the increase of the fuel prices, the government of Cote d’Ivoire has started negotiating with drivers to fix new taxi fares. Speaking to the paper, the Ivorian Minister of Planning and Development, Paul Antoine Bohoun Bouabre, proposed that communal taxi fares should be increased by as much as FCFA 50. The paper also reported a statement made by the Executive Director of SOTRA, a State Transport Corporation, who said that the recent increases in fuel prices could cause the company a 2 billion CFA by the end of the year. The paper concluded that many vehicles, especially the taxis and other carriers, have no choice but to park their vehicles. The paper quoted a taxi driver, who said: "Frankly speaking, the new fuel prices are not good at all. We need to increase considerably the transport fares if we want to survive. This will subsequently result in the raise of the prices of the food commodities."

2. L’inter (a privately-owned daily): A front-page story in this paper said that drivers have rejected the new taxi fares proposed by the government. According to the paper, leaders of drivers’ unions, after a meeting yesterday with government’s officials, denounced what they called "the lack of consultations on the part of the government before increasing fuel prices." The paper said that the raise of the prices of the domestic gas is likely to cause "dramatic social change" in Cote d’Ivoire, hence jeopardizing "government’s efforts to fight corruption, embezzlement, racketeering and fraud in this country." L’inter also warned that in response to "the hardship" that the population will face, "The masses could turn to begging, prostitution, and criminal activities," as ways to survive.

3. Still on the increase in fuel prices, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition party) carried a prominent headline reading "The real misery has now started." According to the paper, consumer associations are threatening to march on the Presidential Palace in Abidjan. Soir Info (an independent daily) said: "Abandoned by the government, consumers are planning a big demonstration June 14," in a front-page story. The paper quoted Soumahoro N’Faly, President of APROCA-CI – an Association for the Protection of Consumers in Cote d’Ivoire – as saying that government officials are informed about their decision "to organize a protest march June 14 at the Presidency of the Republic." Soumahoro N’Faly reportedly said: "It’s too high. Everybody was prepared for this increase that was announced long time ago. But what was done was too much. It will affect the prices of food commodities and the consumers will become the principal victim."

4. A front-page headline in Fraternite Matin said that Henri Kassi Amouzou a high-ranking official of the FDPCC – a development fund for cocoa and coffee farmers, who was arrested a few days ago in connection with the recent scandals in the coffee and cocoa sector made his first appearance in court yesterday in Abidjan. The paper reminded readers that Henri Kassi Amouzou is one of the 23 people charged by Cote d’Ivoire’s State Prosecutor with "financial fraud and embezzlement." According to the paper Henri Kassi Amouzou was sent back to custody in MACA – A prison in Abidjan, after his appearance.

5. As President Laurent Gbagbo is set to visit the Western-central region, where disgruntled former rebels recently went on a rampage, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling party) carried a prominent headline that said: "Gbagbo is to attack the enemies of the peace." The paper warned that "The time, when the State spent important financial resources in an effort to restore peace, while some warlords go about in self-aggrandizement, is over. The time has come for normalization, this through the disarmament."

6. Meanwhile, a front-page story in Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) suggested that the Ivorian leader is preparing "his own downfall." In a caricature, the paper’s political cartoonist depicted a big headed President Gbagbo with the following problems circling his head: the unemployment; embezzlement in the coffee and cocoa sector; forgery of legal tender; raise of domestic fuel prices; high cost of living; frauds in exams and the toxic waste scandal.

Media Coverage of Embassy’s Activities

L’inter (a major newspaper in Cote d’Ivoire) today published the full text of Ambassador Wanda L. Nesbitt's 4th of July speech. The paper highlighted a portion of the speech, in which the Ambassador said: "We must not let ourselves be discouraged by delays … Cote d'Ivoire remains one of the most attractive places to live in West African."

July 7, 2008

Today’s reports in the Ivorian press focused on the increase in the prices of the petroleum products. The peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire, especially President Laurent Gbagbo’s planned visit to the Western-central region, where disgruntled former rebels recently went on a rampage, and the electoral process, was the other major item in the dailies. Fraternite Matin and L’inter (two major newspapers in Cote d’Ivoire) reported on Embassy Abidjan's 4th of July celebration.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A prominent news story on the front page of this paper said that the domestic prices of petroleum products have shot up as a result of the increase in gas prices on the international market. According to the paper, the price of a barrel of oil, which was $25 in 2003, is $145 in July 2008. The paper listed the new prices for petroleum products and said that these prices, which were announced during a televised government statement, will take effect on July 7, 2008. In a commentary, the paper said the announcement a day before the effective date of the new prices was "a mistake." According to the paper, many petrol filling stations in Abidjan were closed yesterday just after the announcement on "the pretext that they have run out of petroleum products."

2. Further on the government's decision to increase the prices of the petroleum products, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) said the move was "the highest increase ever affected in Cote d’Ivoire." Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) told readers that the reason behind the increase of the domestic prices of the petroleum products, was that "President Gbagbo was not a good manager." Le Patriote also said that in response to the new prices of the petroleum products, "drivers and traders are threatening to increase taxi fares and prices of food commodities." The paper quoted the President of the Federation of Consumers Associations, Marius Comoe, who said "If the prices of the commodities go up, then we will call on the population to descend on the streets." A prominent story in Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) said that "President Gbagbo has no pity for the people." A story in Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) said that the announcement of new prices of petroleum products caused "panic among consumers."

3. Reporting favorably on the decision to raise prices, Le Temps (another daily close to the ruling FPI party) told readers that Cote d’Ivoire was not the only country in the region to increase the domestic petroleum products prices. According to the paper, new domestic gas prices will be effective as from July 8 in Guinea, while the prices of the petroleum products in Mauritania have recorded a 20 per cent increase over previous prices. The paper further commented that due to the rocketing gas prices on the international market, "President Gbagbo has no choice but to follow this new trend."

4. On the mutiny in the western-central cities of Seguela and Vavoua, Fraternite Matin said that President Gbagbo is expected in this region on July 14 to give his backing to Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro. According to the paper, "the Ivorian President’s visit to the region is designed to support efforts by the Prime Minister to find a solution to the revolt staged by New Forces former fighters over pay dispute." The paper also reported on President Gbagbo's position, which he made clear after a meeting with Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro over the weekend. According to the paper Gbagbo said "In order not to abandon the Prime Minister alone on the frontline and to show the unity of the country, I will be going to Seguela on July 14 to tell these men that the time for disarmament has come and he who refuses to lay down the gun is against the Republic, and will be considered as an enemy to the peace."

5. On the electoral process, L’inter (an independent daily) published a statement issued by the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), which said that the electoral body is to take some urgent actions this week in order to speed up the electoral process. According to the paper, the statement also said that the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Cote d’Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, handed over an audit of the country’s electoral map to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on July 4.

Media Coverage of Embassy’s Activities

Reporting on the well attended (over 300 people, including the Minister of Defense, other government officials, the diplomatic corps, NGOs' and civil society) 4th of July celebration by Embassy Abidjan, Fraternite Matin and L’inter (two major newspapers in Cote d’Ivoire) carried stories focusing on the speech of Ambassador Wanda L. Nesbitt during the celebration of July 4 in Cote d’Ivoire. The two positive news stories highlighted Ambassador’s Nesbitt statement on democracy, as "a living, evolving phenomenon" and the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire.

July 3, 2008

Ivorian newspapers today reported that talks between the New Forces military leadership and disgruntled former fighters, who staged an uprising a few days ago over pay dispute, have collapsed. The ongoing probe into the cocoa and coffee industry in Cote d’Ivoire and a law on illicit enrichment were the other major items in the Ivorian papers. Papers also reported on an imminent cabinet reshuffle.

1. Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) reported that the July 2 direct talks between the New Forces military leadership and disgruntled former fighters in the Western-central city of Seguela have broken up. The paper said "The mutineers demanded the return of their former commander, Zacharia Kone, who was dismissed in May for indiscipline." The paper also said that "General Soumaila Bakayoko, chief of staff of the former rebel New Forces movement walked out on the meeting."

2. On the same subject, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said that "The disgruntled former fighters were harshly critical of the new commander of the Seguela region, Issiaka Ouattara," who was appointed shortly after the dismissal of Zacharia Kone. The paper further reported that the mutineers present at the meeting yesterday had "acknowledged Bakayoko’s authority as well as that of the leader of the New Forces, Guillaume Soro."

3. More on the same subject, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) also said that about 300 hundred inhabitants of Seguela organized a street demonstration on July 2nd to protest the insecurity and the continuous mutinies in the region. According to the paper, demonstrators also said: "We want the disarmament of all the disgruntled soldiers and their encampment. Martial law should be applied in case they refuse to do so."

5. Soir Info (an independent daily): The paper told readers that the former New Forces’ military commander Zacharia Kone, who has since gone into exile in neighboring Burkina Faso after his dismissal, is "under control." The paper said that the Burkinabe authorities took this measure following a report in which Soir Info suggested a "collusion between Zacharia Kone and Ibrahim Coulibaly," the former Ivorian rebel leader, who was recently charged with plotting against the regime in Cote d’Ivoire by a court in Paris, France.

6. Le Matin d’Abidjan (a daily close to the ruling FPI party): A prominent story in this paper said that because he is faced with difficulties, including mutinies and the lack of resources, Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, is threatening to officially declare that "it’s impossible to implement the Ouagadougou Political Agreement." According to the paper, "The Ivorian Premier could also blame the international community for this state of affair, as they continue to be reluctant in providing funding for the implementation of the peace accord."

7. Meanwhile, Fraternite Matin is predicting a cabinet reshuffle. The paper implies that President Laurent Gbagbo is willing to use his massive anti-corruption crackdown to "form a new cabinet made up of technocrats." Citing reliable sources, the paper disclosed that President Gbagbo has extended his visit to Egypt, where he attended the African Union Summit, "to finalize this project, which is imminent." The paper further said, "Free from any pressure, President Gbagbo has given himself one week to put the last touches to this important cabinet reshuffle." On the other hand, L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) quoted the spokesperson of the New Forces, Sidiki Konate, as saying: "The cabinet reshuffle is not the order of the day."

8. In a front-page story, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) informed readers that the 20 top officials, who were arrested in connection with the ongoing probe into the cocoa and coffee industry in Cote d’Ivoire, held "a three-hour important conclave yesterday in the MACA – a prison in Abidjan."

9. A report in Fraternite Matin said that experts meeting in Abidjan on good governance have proposed that Ivorian government pass a law banning "money laundry, illicit enrichment and corruption." Meanwhile, Global Witness has welcomed the ongoing probe into the cocoa and coffee industry initiated by Ivorian authorities.

July 2, 2008

Reports in today’s Ivorian newspapers said that the government of Cote d’Ivoire has maintained its decision to suspend taxes on key commodities in response to the hike in food prices. Newspapers also talked about the funding for the Ivorian peace process, especially the upcoming presidential election; the mutiny last weekend in Seguela and Vavoua by disgruntled New Forces former fighters; the ongoing probe in the cocoa and coffee industry; as well as the just concluded African Union Summit in Sharm El-Cheikh, Egypt.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A prominent story on the front page of this paper said that the government of Cote d’Ivoire has maintained the decision it reached on April 1, 2008 to suspend taxes on key commodities in an effort to alleviate the rocketing food prices in this country. According to the paper, this decision involves food commodities, including rice, palm oil, fish and milk. In a statement televised yesterday, the paper said the government reaffirmed that "The negotiations with economic operators in some sectors should guarantee stability in prices." The paper said that the statement also underscored other measures that were taken by the government in a bid "to curtail the rocketing food prices." [NOTE – On April 1, 2008, in response to the high cost of living in Cote d’Ivoire, President Laurent Gbagbo signed a decree cutting taxes by 50% for key food imports, including cooking oil, fish, tomato tins, wheat flour, sugar, rice, and milk.]

2. Fraternite Matin also reported that the question of funding for the Ivorian peace process was a key issue during a July 1 meeting in Bouake between the Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro and representatives of the international community. The representative of the facilitator in the Ivorian peace process, Boureima Badini; the Deputy of the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative in Cote d’Ivoire, Abou Moussa; the French Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire, Andre Janier; as well as military commanders of the UN Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) and Licorne, the French troops, were in attendance. According to the paper, at the end of the meeting, Prime Minister Soro said "Initiatives are underway to find funding for the peace process." Regarding the electoral process, the paper quoted the Ivorian Prime Minister who said "it’s moving forward." On security issues, especially the situation in the cities of Seguela and Vavoua, the Ivorian Premier told reporters that calm has returned to this region, where disgruntled New Forces former fighters recently went on a rampage to demand the payment of their disarmament allowances.

3. Still on the situation in Seguela and Vavoua, Fraternite Matin said that "The New Forces military commander and his soldiers have decided to bury the hatchet and are now smoking the peace pipe." According to the paper, this was announced yesterday after a meeting between the New Forces military leadership and the disgruntled soldiers.

4. On funding for the post-crisis projects in Cote d’Ivoire, Fraternite Matin quoted a government official, who said that "FCFA 3,900 billion will be needed for the program." According to the paper, the announcement was made yesterday after a meeting between an envoy from UNDP and officials at the Ministry of Reconstruction and Reintegration.

5. On donors' contribution, a prominent story in Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) said that donors from the Arab world, who met yesterday in Abidjan decided to provide about $ 440 million to support the post-crisis projects in Cote d’Ivoire.

6. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent newspaper): In a front-page story, the paper said that the scheduled November 30 presidential election could be delayed till 2010. It suggested that the continuous rumors of possible cabinet reshuffle were signs that the polls could not be conducted according to plan. It further said that another round of negotiations between the protagonists might be necessary to resolve the political stalemate.

7. On anti-corruption, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) published a front-page story calling President Laurent Gbagbo’s anti-corruption crackdown "a titanic struggle." The paper also published a letter from a reader, who called on Ivorians "to support the President’s initiative."

8. In response to rumors of possible arrests of government officials in connection with the massive corruption probe into the cocoa and coffee industry in Cote d’Ivoire, Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) told readers that the Agriculture Minister, Amadou Gon Coulibaly [Campaign Director of the leader of the RDR party, Alassane Dramane Ouattara] was "not involved" in the cocoa and coffee scandal. The paper denounced what it called "a plot" against the minister. The paper further referred to "a presidential decree signed in 2004 that removed the management of the cocoa and coffee sector from the Agriculture Ministry since the nomination of Amadou Gon Coulibaly."

9. Le Jour Plus (another pro-opposition daily) called rumors of the possible arrest of the Agriculture Ministry "a bluff." It also published a copy of a decree, which it said gave "full power to Gbagbo to manage the cocoa and coffee sector."

10. Fraternite Matin devoted two pages to the just-ended African Union Summit at Sharm El-Cheikh in Egypt, where African leaders including President Gbagbo represented their countries. The paper reported that the conference addressed many issues with a special focus on the case of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, whose "controversial re-election was endorsed during the Summit."

Media Coverage of Embassy’s Activities

 

Le Patriote reported today that regional correspondents of major newspapers and producers from a proximity radio in San Pedro watched June 24 a DVC program on the US election. The program, which was organized by the US Embassy in Abidjan, offered the journalists the opportunity to understand the American electoral system and the role of the media during this period. On its web site: www.fratmat.info, the state-owned daily Fraternite Matin reported positively on the program.

July 1, 2008

The funding for the upcoming presidential election in Cote d’Ivoire was again a dominant issue in today’s Ivorian press. The papers also reported on last weekend's mutiny by disgruntled New Forces former fighters; the ongoing interrogations and arrests of top officials in the cocoa and coffee industry; the rumors of cabinet reshuffle; and the consumer price hikes and possible consumer protests.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): In a prominent story on its front page, the paper quoted the French Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire, Andre Janier, as saying: "He who organizes the elections should pay." According to the paper, the French diplomat, who was speaking to the paper on a variety of issues, including the current peace process in Cote d’Ivoire, said "France is ready to help organize good elections, but it cannot carry the whole burden." The paper further quoted Ambassador Janier as saying: "In Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the United Nations organized the elections from the beginning to the end… We don’t understand why the international community, which invested huge sums of money in other countries like Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, is reluctant to do the same in Cote d’Ivoire." The paper concluded that in spite of the financial issues raised, Ambassador Janier believes that the Ivorian presidential election scheduled for November 30, 2008 is possible.

2. On the same subject, a front page headline in Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) said, "There is a need to find ways to organize the presidential polls on November 30, 2008." The paper reminded the current government that "the organization of elections should be seen as an act of sovereignty." The paper further said that the government has the right to seek aid, but the best solution for the government is to count on its own resources. The paper asserted that the government is capable of finding the FCFA 36 billion that the Independent Electoral Commission said was needed for the conduct of the polls.

3. On government resources, Fraternite Matin reported that the government of Cote d’Ivoire has collected more than FCFA 57 billion, instead of the FCFA 37 billion expected, from Treasury Bonds activities.

4. Le Jour Plus (a pro-opposition newspaper) reported that donors from Arab countries have been meeting since yesterday in Abidjan to lay down the groundwork for the funding of post-crisis projects in connection with the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire. According to the paper, this meeting is in response to the Prime Minister’s April 29 to May 7 visits to countries in the Middle-East.

5. On the mutiny that was staged last weekend in western-central cities of Seguela and Vavoua by disgruntled New Forces’ ex-fighters, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) quoted a leading member of the former Ivorian rebel movement as warning: "The peace process is in jeopardy, as the Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro does not have the means to implement his program." According to the paper, Alain Lobognon, who is the New Forces’ director of communications, said Prime Minister Soro, who was tasked to implement the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, notably the disarmament of the ex-combatants, does not have the financial means to do so.

6. Still on the recent mutiny by ex-combatants in western-central cities of Seguela and Vavoua, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) carried a prominent story, quoting the New Forces’ director of communications, Alain Lobognon. In the story, the paper said that Lobognon accused the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) and Licorne – the French troops in Cote d’Ivoire – for doing "nothing to ensure security in perimeters around the demobilization sites where former combatants have been encamped." In another story, the paper reported that a New Forces’ top official has announced the "release" of the hostages that were taken by the mutineers in Seguela and Vavoua.

7. In the front page of Le Nouveau Reveil, the paper said that five ministers, including the Finance Minister, Charles Diby Koffi and Agriculture Minister, Amadou Gon Coulibaly could be interrogated in connection with the ongoing probe into the cocoa and coffee industry in Cote d’Ivoire. The paper quoted reliable sources close to information on the setting up of a Special High Court that would be tasked to try suspects in the cocoa and coffee scandal. Le Patriote also reported on the arrests of two ministers, but referred to them as officials, who "are close to President Laurent Gbagbo."

8. Meanwhile, Soir Info (a privately-owned daily) announced "an imminent cabinet reshuffle." Citing reliable sources, the paper said that the cabinet change may affect "ministers who are politically marked." According to the paper, the next cabinet may be composed of "technocrats," who have no "political ambitions."

9. Le Patriote informed readers that the government of Cote d’Ivoire would increase the price of the petrol in the next couple of days. In a related development, Soir Info indicated that the Movement for the Defense of the Interests of the Consumers (MODIC) is calling for a demonstration July 2 throughout the country to defend what it called "the right for food for the people."

Media Coverage of Embassy’s Activities

In its first edition, Parence (an independent quarterly magazine) that focuses on family and education issue carried a three-page interview with the U.S. Embassy’s Student Advisor, Gerard Digbohou Tchetchet. The interview focused on higher education in the U.S., especially the procedure to get admission into American Universities.