Highlights

- UNOCI to launch 1000 micro-projects for reintegration of ex-combatants
- FAFN insurgents start DDR process in Kani (Séguéla)
- UNOCI investigates identification fraud claims

Electoral

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Côte d`Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, is due to officially hand over the electoral map drawn up by the Mission's Electoral Assistance Division to the President of the Independent Electoral Commission, Mr. Robert Beugré Mambé, today.

DDR

The SRSG yesterday announced in Bouaké that funding for 1,000 micro-projects for the reintegration of ex-combatants of the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN) would be available at the end of this month. While in Bouaké, Mr. Choi visited two income-generating projects for female ex-combatants initiated and financed by the FAFN Zone 3 Commander, Cherif Ousmane, and Force Licorne. Meanwhile, some 40 FAFN soldiers out of a total of about 70, started the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) process yesterday in Kani, near Séguéla, for the first time since they staged violent demonstrations in Vavoua and Séguéla last week-end. The remaining 20 are expected to start the process today.

Situation in Séguéla and Vavoua

UNOCI Military Observers and UNPOL yesterday held separate meetings with General Soumaïla Bakayoko, the FAFN Chief of Staff and Corporal Ouattara, the soldier who is leading the dissident soldiers. During the discussions, General Bakayoko stressed that the demands made by soldiers in Séguéla were not acceptable to him, stating that most of them had now agreed to go through the DDR process. In Vavoua, the situation remained generally calm while the dissidents await a response from the FAFN hierarchy to their demands.

Security

Joint patrols by UNOCI and FAFN troops are to be increased due to the deteriorating security situation in the Vallée du Bandama region. The Mission's Sector East Commander in Bouaké, Brigadier-General Tariq Javed, said that the decision was taken following meetings with the FAFN hierarchy and the Prefet and Secretary-General of Bouaké prefecture.

The commander of the local Gendarmerie Brigade yesterday told a UNOCI patrol that there had been a sharp increase in roadside robberies in the Gohitafla area, especially during market days. The last reported incident was on 27 June 2008, along the Gohitafla-Flaya-Bongofla road (centre west) when an unknown number of armed criminals attacked a minibus carrying 11 people and escaped with 859,000 FCFA, (approx $2,000), seven mobile phones and other valuables.

Meanwhile, residents in Blody, near Duékoué (west) also told a UNOCI patrol that armed robbers from nearby bushes attacked the village three times last week, stealing money, food and other costly items from villagers.

Identification

Following allegations of fraudulent birth certificates in Sakassou (east) in an Ivorian newspaper on 2nd July 2008, the regional Rule of Law and Electoral Offices in Bouaké yesterday went to the town to investigate. The UNOCI team met with the sous-préfet who explained that before 2008 all the birth certificates registers did not contain information on the nationality of parents. Consequently, copies of birth certificates recently issued by his office did not contain such information. The team also met with the General Secretary of prefecture, who said that he has already drawn the attention of the Mayor of Sakassou to this omission and the Mayor had promised to order new forms that satisfy the legal requirements.

Force Licorne

The Force Commander of Licorne, General Bruno Clément-Bollée, leaves Abidjan this weekend following the end of his tour of duty. He will be replaced by General Philippe Houbron, who is due to arrive in Côte d`Ivoire on 11 July 2008.

Arms embargo

UNOCI peacekeepers yesterday successfully carried out arms embargo inspections at the Defence and Security Forces of Cote d'Ivoire's (FDSCI) Gendarmerie Brigade in Gohitafla (centrewest), at its Armed Forces School in Yamoussoukro (centre) and at its Detachment in San Pedro Airport (south).

Human Rights

The Regional Human Rights Office in Yamoussoukro yesterday met with the local representatives of the main opposition political parties, at their request, to discuss human rights issues and concerns in relation to the forthcoming general elections. The two political parties, the Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire (PDCI) and the Rally of Republicans (RDR) commended the Human Rights Division's positive role in monitoring the human rights situation in the country and asked the Office to provide human rights training for their local members.

The Regional Human Rights Office in Abidjan and UNPOL yesterday investigated the case of four alleged robbers killed by members of CECOS on the night of 30 June 2008 in the Koumassi area of Abidjan. The Police Commissioner of Koumassi told the UNOCI team that the four men had been killed during a long shootout with CECOS members. A criminal investigation has been launched to ascertain if the deaths were due to an excessive use of force by CECOS.