Highlights

- FAFN asks UNOCI to act against group based in former ZOC
- Bangolo Mixed Brigade protesters block road for second day

FAFN unrest

Forces Nouvelles (FN) authorities in Séguéla have called on UNOCI to take action "to neutralize" a group of insurgents they claim were responsible for the attack in the town in the early hours of 24 November 2008. The FN claim the group is based in Bonoufla, near Daloa (centre-west) and warned that failure on the Mission's part to take action would leave them no choice but to do something themselves. They said they were asking the Mission to act because Bonoufla is situated in the former Zone of Confidence (ZOC). Meanwhile, UNOCI has received reports that more than 71 people are in detention following the attack during which nine people were killed. Meanwhile, the Regional Human Rights Office in Daloa is looking into reports that a Malian man who was arrested and detained at Camp Highlander in Séguéla (centre west) in connection with the attack was summarily executed by Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN) soldiers. The Office is also following up reports that members of the Malian and Burkinabé communities accused of supporting the attackers have been arrested and detained in Séguéla. A demobilized FAFN ex-combatant of Burkinabe origin, who asked for UNOCI protection in Séguéla on 24 November 2008, is to be repatriated to his country by a special arrangement made by the Mission.

Security

For the second day, members of the Mixed Brigade of Bangolo (west) have erected roadblocks and barricades along the Duékoué-Man road. However, unlike yesterday, they are allowing UN vehicles to go through the roadblocks. The striking gendarmes are protesting at the non-payment of their salaries and food allowances.

The Préfet of Bloléquin, Captain Martin Gnonsekan, who is personally involved in negotiations concerning the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their plantations in Zéaglo, near Bloléquin (west), has assured UNOCI and UN agencies that they would soon return. UN agencies staff working the area said they would be monitoring the situation closely until every IDP is allowed to return to their plantations. Last week youths demonstrated violently against the return of the IDPs, firing shots at their convoy, which was being escorted by law enforcement authorities and the Prefet. The confrontation ended with the death of one youth and some of the IDPs, who were originally forced to leave their plantations during the Ivorian crisis, taking shelter in the compound of the Sous Prefecture.

Arms Embargo

UNOCI peacekeepers yesterday conducted arms embargo inspections at the 2nd Infantry Battalion of the Defence and Security Forces of Côte d'Ivoire (FDSCI) in Daloa (centre-west), at the FAFN's 71st Battalion in Touba (north-west) and at the Gendarmerie Brigades in Zouan Hounien and Guiglo (west).

Humanitarian

BANBATT yesterday provided the local Red Cross with tents and medical kits during a campaign to raise public awareness on road safety in Yamoussoukro (centre).

Human Rights

On 25 November, the Regional Human Rights Office in Daloa, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, the Rule of Law Section, HIV/AIDS Unit, the International Rescue Committee and a local NGO called "Un Amour pour Daloa" launched a 16 day-campaign on violence against women in the Daloa area (centre west). 120 participants, including local and military authorities, attended the launch. It included a roundtable discussion on the role of the state in combating violence against women; international and national legal frameworks to prevent violence against women; sexual violence and HIV/AIDS; reparation for the victims of gender based violence, including sexual violence and exploitation.

On 25 November 2008, 200 villagers from Dompleu, 105 km north-west of Duékoué (west) participated in an event to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women celebration organized by the Regional Human Rights Office in Duékoué in collaboration with two local women's associations «la Parole des Femmes Actives de Man» and «Centre d'Excellence des Femmes de Man». Plays and sketches illustrating gender-based violence, in particular female genital mutilation practices were performed by a local theatre group.