Highlights

- SRSG continues sensitization caravan on "1000 Micro-projects";
- Calm returns to Bouaké following protest by ex-combatants;
- Situation in Bondoukou returns to normal;
- IDPs refuse to leave Guiglo centre

SRSG's activities

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Y.J.Choi, today met with UN officials, local authorities and residents in the western town of Guiglo, the latest stop in his one-week sensitization caravan on the 1000 Micro-projects initiative aimed at helping ex-combatants, former militias and other youths at risk to resume normal lives in their societies. Mr Choi launched the initiative, which is supported by UNDP, donors and the National Programme for Reinsertion and Community Development, on Thursday in Bouaké, before continuing on his sensitization tour, which has also taken him to Séguéla, Korhogo and Odiénné. His delegation's next stops include Man and Daloa.

DDR

Calms returned to Bouaké this afternoon following a demonstration this morning by demobilised soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN), who blocked streets in various parts of the town, including the road leading to the airport, outside the FN secretariat. The ex-combatants were protesting against what they termed an uncertain future with regard to their reinsertion into civilian life. In an interview with ONUCI FM, the spokesman of the protesters said the some CFA 300,000 to CFA 420,000 per ex-combatant allocated under the 1000 Micro-projects operation launched Thursday by SRSG Choi was insufficient and demanded five million CFA per former combatant. [US$1 = CFA 420]. The FAFN's local zone commander, Chérif Ousmane, later met the demonstrators at the Secretariat of the Forces Nouvelles.

Socio-economic protests

A group of students undertook a peaceful march from the University of Bouake to the Office of the Regional Commissioner (Prefecture) to protest against their poor living conditions and the repeated interruption of courses due to instructors' strikes, ever since the university reopened in March 2006. The Regional Commissioner (Préfet) is to receive the students tomorrow to discuss the issue.

The situation is back to normal in the eastern town of Bondoukou, where an association called "Mouvement des Jeunes pour la Renaissance de Bondoukou" (MOREB – Bondoukou Young People's Resistance Movement) carried out violent protests last week against what they called the abusive exploitation of the forest. Businesses that had been forced to close during the unrest reopened at the week end. This morning a MOREB delegation met with UNOCI at UNOCI's compound to apologize for the damage they caused to UN staff and equipment. The association also asked UNOCI's human rights office to put pressure on the local police to release four arrested MOREB members. UNOCI advised the youths to stop their demonstrations and await the decision of Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, who had sent an envoy to negotiate with the parties involved in the conflict. UNOCI's Public Information Office is preparing a sensitization programme on the culture of peace and conflict management for the benefit of the youths.

Internally displaced persons

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) accommodated at the Centre d'Accueil et de Transit des Déplacés (Refuge and Transit Centre for Displaced Persons) in the western town of Guiglo have refused to leave the centre, which was officially closed on 31 July 2008. This issue was brought up at a monthly coordination and liaison meeting held in Guiglo between representatives of UN agencies, national and international NGOs, local government authorities and village communities. The meeting, held on 13 August, also discussed the situation of gender-based violence and rape in the area, which is a major cause for concern.

Public Information

On August 16, UNOCI's Public Information Office in Yamoussoukro carried out a sensitization session on non-violence, the culture of peace and civic education for around 20 young people in the village of Sahabo, located 8km from Yamoussoukro on the road to Daloa. This activity was undertaken in collaboration with the non-governmental Centre de Recherche et d'Actions pour la Paix (CERAP- Centre for Research and Actions for Peace). A film promoting peace values was projected, followed by a debate.

Human Rights

On 14 August 2008, the Regional Human Rights Office in Korhogo received a 17- year-old girl who complained of sexual violence and forced marriage. The Office requested a local NGO, Association des femmes pour la santé familiale et communautaire (AFESFAC – Women's Association for Family and Community Health) to help provide temporary assistance for the girl.

On 13 August 2008, the Regional Human Rights Office in Odienné organized two human rights training sessions for members of the human rights promotion and protection cells in Kabangbuê (80 km north of Odienné) and Kimbirila-North (98 km north of Odienné). Both sessions were attended by village authorities, representatives of women's associations, political parties and dozos (traditional hunters).