Highlights

- UNOCI peacekeepers asked to leave Divo camp site
- Redeployed civil servants strike some Forces Nouvelles areas
- Hundreds attend first performance of UNOCI's Artistic Caravan in Bouna

Military redeployment

Local authorities in Divo (centre west) yesterday told UNOCI during a meeting held at the General Council that the population did not agree with the location of a military camp at a proposed site in the town. They instead asked UNOCI's Moroccan troops, who had been sent to secure the site, to move to another location. This site, however, was found to be unsuitable by the Mission's engineers. The local authorities insisted that they had not signed a contract with the Mission for the current site and therefore could not guarantee the security of the troops if they continue to stay on the site. It should be noted that UNOCI had already signed a contract with the owner of the site. At the end of the meeting, the MORBATT platoon withdrew from the Divo, pending further clarification on the exact location of the future site.

Redeployment of the administration

Members of the Mouvement des Fonctionnaires Redéployés de Côte d'Ivoire (MOFORCI) working in areas under Forces Nouvelles control, today went on strike in Bouaké and other cities in the Vallée du Bandama Region, in support of their claim for the payment of their resettlement allowances. It has been reported that activities in some schools and colleges as well as in the Regional National Education Office were partly disrupted in the course of the day. In Katiola, about 60 km north of Bouaké, many public services were said to have been paralyzed. The Préfet of the Region, Mr Konin Aka, was scheduled to meet the leaders of MOFORCI today to discuss an agreement. Last week, discussions between the MOFORCI and representatives of the Forces Nouvelles ended without an agreement.

Information and sensitisation

Hundreds of people in the northern town of Bouna yesterday attended the first performance of UNOCI's Artistic Caravan organised by the Public Information Office. The aim of the Caravan, which is set to tour some 16 towns and cities all over Côte d'Ivoire, is to promote peace, national reconciliation and non violence which would lead to lasting peace in the country. Speaking on behalf of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, Margherita Amodéo, UNOCI's Director of Public Information said that the event was a joyous occasion, shared by the population of Bouna, UNOCI and the artists. She called on everyone to make lasting peace in Côte d'Ivoire their priority.

DDR

Some 2,850 ex-combatants of the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN) and 850 volunteers for the new army have been receiving their demobilization allowances over the past two days. These soldiers, based in Vavoua and Séguéla (centre west), staged violent demonstrations in June 2008 in protest against the non payment of their allowances.

Security

Roadside attacks against civilians by unidentified robbers armed with Kalashnikovs continue unabated in the former Zone of Confidence and in the northern part of the country. Two attacks were reported, one on 27 September 2008 on the M'bengebougou - Korhogo Road, 30 km east from Korhogo, and the other on 26 September 2008, on the Guiglo – Tai road, 10 km from Guiglo. A radio reporter was severely injured in the right leg in the first attack. Several personal belongings and a large sum of money were taken away by the assailants

Arms Embargo

UNOCI peacekeepers conducted armed embargo inspections at the 2nd Regiment of the Defence and Security Forces of Côte d'Ivoire (FDSCI) camp in Daloa (centre-west) and at the FAFN's Unit in Sangouine (west).

Human Rights

The Regional Human Rights Office in Bouaké is following up the case of a student who was severely beaten up with leather belts and gun butts on 27 September 2008, by FAFN elements stationed in front of the residence of Commander Issiaka Ouattara in Bouaké. The victim, who suffered wounds to his head, shoulder and back and would like the perpetrators to be punished and made to pay his medical expenses.

The Human Rights Division is closely following the trial of 12 people accused of being involved in the dumping of toxic waste in various parts of Abidjan in August 2006. However, the HRD notes that in light of an agreement between the Ivoirian Government and Trafigura, in which the latter agreed to pay 100 billion FCFA to cover all civil claims arising from the incident, those directly responsible for the dumping were not among those on trial. Just 12 people, widely acknowledged to have had only a minor role in the toxic waste scandal, are appearing in the trial, which started on 29 September 2008. It should be recalled that the toxic waste dumping resulted in 17 deaths and affected the health of more than 100,000 people.