Highlights

- SRSG and ASG meet Ivorian opposition leaders
- IEC holds urgent meeting to discuss non-payment of identification agents' salaries

Political

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Y. J. Choi, and Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Edmond Mulet, met separately with the presidents of the Rally for Republicans (RDR), Alassane Dramane Ouattara and the Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire (PDCI), Henri Konan Bédié, in Abidjan yesterday. The discussions focused on the support that UNOCI would continue to Côte d'Ivoire with regard to the crisis-resolution process. Mr. Mulet also met with the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, Mr. Robert Beugre Mambé

Identification process

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) yesterday held an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff and other key stakeholders, including UNOCI's Electoral Assistance Division, in a bid to find a solution to the non payment of the salaries of identification agents. It should be recalled that there has been sporadic action by some agents but the IEC now fears that this could escalate and therefore wants to find a solution before 16 December 2008. The identification and voter registration operation is due to end in Abidjan on 14 December 2008. Meanwhile, latest figures show that 2,120,000 people have registered in Abidjan while 75,241 have registered in Bouaké. The process is in progress in 40 other departments throughout the country.

Security

Two unidentified individuals armed with Kalashnikovs who tried to attack a minibus, on the Korhogo-Boundiali road on the 10 December 2008, ran away when they saw a UNPOL vehicle approaching. UNPOL informed the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN) and NIGERBATT of the incident. NIGERBATT is currently monitoring the situation.

Information and sensitization

More than 2000 pupils from seven schools today attended a schools caravan for peace organized by UNOCI in the coastal city of Sassandra. The Regional Office Co-ordinator for Sector West , Ms Diane Pezzini, told the children that the Mission stood ready to help Côte d'Ivoire find lasting peace and that the school caravan was one way of involving them in that search for peace.

Arms Embargo

UNOCI peacekeepers yesterday successfully carried out arms embargo inspections at the National Armed Forces of Côte d'Ivoire's (FANCI) gendarmerie brigades in Gagnoa (centre west) and Agnibilekro (east) and its Ecole des Forces Armées in Zambakro, near Yamoussoukro (centre)

Human Rights

The Regional Human Rights Office in Duékoué has met with the Mixed Brigade in Bangolo to express concern over prevailing insecurity in the former Zone of Confidence, where groups of unidentified masked and armed individuals frequently attack civilians travelling on public transport vehicles with total impunity. Over a period of two days, from 7 to 9 December, three attacks were carried out in the area and two pregnant women were raped during one of them.

In Bouaké, the Regional Human Rights Office has reported the disappearance of a man since 6 December 2008 following his arrest and detention by three Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN) soldiers who allegedly forced their way into his home, beat him up and took him away. The Office is following up the case with FAFN authorities.