Highlights

- Mixed Brigade gendarmes block road between Bouaké and Yamoussoukro in protest
- Four Generals discuss security measures for forthcoming elections
- Politicians seek UNOCI's help in monitoring human rights violations in electoral process

Security

A group of gendarmes from the Mixed Brigade of N'Gattadolikro (centre), 70 km from Bouaké, on 26 July 2008, blocked the main road between Bouaké and Yamoussoukro (centre), in protest against the non-payment of their allowances. They set up barricades on road and prevented vehicles from driving through. Only pedestrians were allowed to cross. The N'Gattadolikro Mixed Brigade comprises 50 men who work under the supervision of the Integrated Command Centre (ICC) in Yamoussoukro. After negotiations with the ICC, the protesters agreed to take part payment of the money owed to them and lifted the barricades.

Military

The Commanders of the Forces present in Côte d'Ivoire, held a working session on 25 July 2008, on security provisions for forthcoming elections, at UNOCI headquarters. Based on a presentation made by the ICC, Generals Philippe Mangou, Chief of Staff of the Defence and Security Forces of Côte d'Ivoire (FDSCI), Soumaïla Bakayoko, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN), Michel Gueu from the Prime Minister's Office, Philippe Houbron of the Force Licorne and Fernand Marcel Amoussou (UNOCI), discussed measures that need to be taken to provide security for the presidential elections scheduled for 30 November 2008.

Arms embargo

UNOCI peacekeepers on 25 July 2008 successfully carried out arms embargo inspections at the National Armed Forces of Cote d'Ivoire's (FANCI) Gendarmerie Brigade in Fresco (south), at its Gendarmerie Company headquarters and Sous Groupement 5 in Yamoussoukro (centre) and at the FAFN's 61st and 63rd battalions in Man (west).

Humanitarian

A monthly humanitarian coordination meeting, which took place at the offices of the World Food Programme (WFP) in Zou, in Bangolo prefecture (west), last week, was told that UN agencies are having problems meeting the needs of returning internally displaced persons (IDPs), because the lists prepared by local peace committees are not reliable. In order to improve the situation, a joint mission of all the agencies working in Zou, is planned for this week, to set up procedures for compiling reliable lists of returnees.

Human Rights

As presidential elections approach, Ivorian politicians belonging to small parties are complaining about their access to state media. On 26 July 2008, the Ivorian Workers Party sent an open letter to Ivorian Television and Radio network (RTI) complaining about the late or non broadcasting of their events, while a Member of Parliament and President of Sakassou General Council, Mr. Felix Akoto-Yao, on 24 July 2008 requested a meeting with the Chief of the Human Rights Division, Mr. Simon Munzu, to complain that even though he is a declared independent candidate for the presidential elections, his activities have been covered but not broadcast on state television or radio. He asked the HRD to reinforce its monitoring capacity of human rights violations related to elections such as political violence, intimidation of candidates and voters, and infringement of freedom of movement and assembly. Mr. Munzu assured the politician that his concerns would be addressed by the various sections of UNOCI participating in the monitoring of various aspects of the electoral process.

The Regional Human Rights Office in Duékoué on a visit to Seoun-guiglo to inquire about the alleged illicit occupation by Burkinabé of land belonging to the host population, discovered that there was tension between the two parties. As a result, the Office met with the regional administrative authorities today to discuss what measures could be taken to defuse the tension.

The Regional Human Rights Office in Bouaké is monitoring the case of a young girl who was kidnapped and sexually abused in early July in Alokokro village, near Bouaké. The alleged perpetrator of the assault reportedly tried to settle the case with the girl's family after confessing but the Office succeeded in alerting the Force Nouvelles police. Consequently, the police have promised to investigate the incident.

Three young Nigerian women, aged between19 and 20 who claim they were victims of a prostitution ring based in Bonoufla (centre west), have asked the Regional Human Rights Office in Daloa (centre west) to help repatriate them back to their country. The young women claimed that they were led to believe by the person they came to Cote d'Ivoire with that they were being taking them to Senegal to work for Europeans. After escaping, the women went to Bonoufla Mixed Brigade for help, and it in turn called the Office in Daloa. Three people have been arrested in connection with the case.