Highlights

- Detained ex-FAFN Zone Commander asks for UNOCI's help
- Striking Mixed Brigade gendarmes take commanders hostage
- BANBATT intensifies patrol in Bonoufla following reports of dissident group

FAFN unrest

The former Armed Forces of Forces Nouvelles (FAFN) Zone Commander of Korhogo Major Diarrasouba Youssouf, who was arrested on 25 November 2008, for allegedly being involved in the attack by dissident soldiers in Séguéla, has asked for UNOCI's protection. According to Military Observers in Korhogo where he is being held at the local gendarmerie, he has said that he fears for his life and wants the Mission to protect him.

Security

Protesting members of the Mixed Brigade in Bangolo (west) today took their commanders hostage and fired shots into the air. The protesters have also blocked traffic on the Man-Duékoué road since 25 November 2008, when they went on strike along with their colleagues in Zeale (west) and Ngattadolikro to press for the payment of 11 month's salary and food allowances which they say are owed to them. The mixed brigade in Bonoufla has since joined the strike, setting up roadblocks this morning along the Vavoua-Daloa road and preventing traffic from moving along it. UNOCI police officers who work with the Mixed Brigades have not been directly affected by the protest. Those working in Bangolo however, have been advised by the Security Section to take shelter in the MORBATT camp in the western town. The Mixed Brigade in Bonoufla (centre-west) has also joined the strike setting up roadblocks this morning along the Vavoua-Daloa road and preventing traffic from moving along the main. The strike started on 24 November 2008 with the Mixed Brigades in Zeale, Bangolo and Ngattadolikro.

Following threats made by the FAFN authorities in Séguéla (centre west) to take action against FAFN dissidents allegedly based in Bonoufla, BANBATT has intensified patrols in the area.

The Prefect of Zuénoula (centre-west) has told UNOCI that FAFN soldiers in Kongasso, Batiefla and Zirifla in the Zuénoula area, have been arbitrarily arresting local people and accusing them of a variety of offences before transferring them to the areas under Forces Nouvelles control in neighbouring Kounahiri district. They then demand money in return for freeing the detainees. The most recent incident occurred on 22 November 2008, when FAFN soldiers arrested five people and demanded 500,000 FCFA for their release. The Préfet said he had contacted his counterpart in Kounahiri district who had in turn asked BANBATT based in Kounahiri to negotiate the release of the five people. However, the attack in Séguéla has temporarily halted the negotiations.
Electoral process

The identification and voter registration operation started in the political capital, Yamoussoukro, today with the opening of nine sites. So far more than 1.5 million people have registered in Abidjan and 22,000 in Bouaké

World AIDS Day

With a small but symbolic ceremony, involving children living with HIV/AIDS, UNOCI today launched events for the commemoration of World Aids Day in Côte d'Ivoire. The event comprised of the reading of the Secretary-General's message by the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Georg Charpentier, the reading of the message of the Executive Director of UNAIDS by Mrs Marie Noelle Koyara, the Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Côte d'Ivoire and a series of moving sketches performed by children living with HIV/AIDS.

Arms embargo
UNOCI peacekeepers yesterday successfully carried out arms embargo inspections at the Gendarmerie Brigade in Dimbokro (centre) and at the National Armed Forces of Cote d'Ivoire (FANCI) regrouping site in Daoukro (east).

Human Rights

The Regional Human Rights Office in Bouaké is following up reports that two Malian men, one of them a businessman, were taken to the home of the Deputy Chief of Staff of the FAFN, Major Issiaka Ouattara alias Wattao between 18 and 21 November 2008, after which they were beaten with truncheons and military belts by two FAFN soldiers. The Office has raised the allegations with the FAFN authorities.

On 26 November, the Regional Human Rights Office in Yamoussoukro in partnership with the Ministry of Family, Women and Social Affairs, the Gender Unit, UNFPA as well as local and international organizations based in Yamoussoukro, launched a three-day seminar on ways in which to combat gender-based violence. The aim of the seminar, attended by 40 participants is to reinforce the capacity of NGOs so they are able to provide assistance to victims of violence. The seminar was organized within the framework of the celebration of a 16-day-campaign on violence against women which started on 25 November 2008.