Highlights

- SRSG launches 1000 micro projects initiative in Bouaké
- Movement of UNOCI staff restricted following attacks in Bondoukou
- UNOCI special patrol denied freedom of movement for second time in one week

DDR

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Y.J. Choi officially launched "the 1000 micro-projects" initiative for the reintegration of ex-combatants and young people at risk on Thursday, 14 August 2008, in Bouaké. The micro projects, worth $4 million, are for at ex-combatants, ex-militias, young people at risk and for children and women associated with the Ivorian conflict.

Security

The Movement of UNOCI personnel has been restricted in Bondoukou (east) following an attack on two of the Mission's vehicles by members of "Le Mouvement de Renaissance de Bondoukou (MOREB) in the town yesterday. The president of MOREB said that his members were attacking UNOCI staff and property because it was the Mission, through GHANBATT, which had supplied the local police with teargas which was used to disperse them during violent demonstrations yesterday. A group of the demonstrators attempted to force their way into the residence of the local ONUCI FM correspondent, whom they accuse of bias against them, but GHANBATT peacekeepers prevented them from doing so. The demonstrators, however, succeeded in damaging the main gate to his compound. MOREB members have been organizing street protests against what they described as abusive exploitation of Bondoukou's natural resources by outsiders, for the past two months.

Denial of freedom of movement

A special patrol was yesterday sent to a checkpoint manned by gendarmes from the National Armed Forces of Côte d'Ivoire (FANCI) between Ity and Ouyatouo (west) to obtain further details on why a UNOCI patrol was previously denied entry into the area, was itself denied entry at the same checkpoint. The gendarmes said that they had a written directive from their HQ dated 27 February 2008 and signed by the then Post Commander with copies to the Sous Prefect and Gendarmerie HQ in Zouan Hounien (west), stating that Impartial Forces were not allowed in the area. A copy of the letter was given to the patrol, which then met with the deputy commander of the local Gendarmerie HQ in Zouan Hounien, who said that he was not aware of any such directive. In addition, UNOCI peacekeepers patrolled the area on at least two occasions in March and April 2008 without any problem. The military is following up the incidents with the relevant Ivorian authorities.

Arms embargo

Arms embargo inspections were yesterday successfully carried out at the Defence and Security Forces of Cote d'Ivoire's (FDSCI) Gendarmerie Brigades in Transua, near Bondoukou (east) and Bouaflé (centre west) as well as at the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles' (FAFN) units in Ouangolodougou (north), Tortiya (north), Doualla, near Seguéla (centre west), Mahapleu, near Danané (west) and Facobly, near Man (west).

Human Rights

The Regional Human Rights Office in Bouaké, along with the association Parlement des Jeunes de Côte d'Ivoire, on 12 August 2008, organized festivities to celebrate the Journée Internationale de la Jeunesse. The event consisted of a peaceful march by 300 young people through the city, speeches and presentations on young people's commitment to the Ivorian peace process and human rights in times of conflict.