Highlights

- SRSG meets Ivorian Prime Minister in Bouaké
- Insurgent soldiers demand reinstatement of former FAFN Zone Commander
- Séguéla youths organize demonstration in support of OPA

Political

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Cote d'Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, today met with Ivorian Prime Minister Guillaume Soro in Bouaké, as part of regular consultations to discuss progress in the peace process. Prime Minister Soro and SRSG Choi had a long discussion on financial and security provisions for the electoral process. In this regard they talked about current initiatives and finding the means to create the right conditions for the organization of elections scheduled for 30 November 2008. They also agreed that the reintegration of ex-combatants should be a priority.

Situation in Séguéla and Vavoua

Tension remained high today in the Séguéla area, where soldiers loyal to the former Zone Commander Zacharia Koné are demanding his return within three days before laying down their arms. During a meeting between the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN), General Soumaila Bakayoko and the insurgents, one of them interrupted the General to demand the return of the ex-Zone Commander. His demand was greeted with rapturous applause from the other soldiers. General Bakayoko then left the meeting without finishing his address. The same soldier later warned that no cantonment would take place in the Séguéla area without the former Zone Commander. UNOCI troops in Séguéla reported that General Bakayoko later spoke to Prime Minister Soro on the incident, who confirmed the FN's position as follows:

-- The soldiers in Camp Genie in Séguéla should remain under UNOCI's protection and no soldier should leave the camp with arms.
-- The DDR process should be conducted/supervised by UNOCI.
-- And if the above is not possible, then UNOCI troops would be asked to withdraw from Camp Genie after which the FN authorities would conduct the disarmament process.

General Bakayoko also met the insurgents at the Force Licorne camp in Vavoua and promised to try to resolve their grievances. He was escorted by UNOCI patrol.

Meanwhile, several hundred members of youth organizations and local residents in Séguéla yesterday demonstrated outside the BANBATT camp in the town, in support of the Ouagadougou Peace Accord (OPA) and the Impartial Forces. A representative of the demonstrators read out a written statement in which they expressed their deep dissatisfaction over the present situation in Séguéla, pointing out that the continuing crisis within the FAFN was hampering the normal day-to-day activities. They urged all concerned to do their best to find an immediate solution to the current sitaution. UNOCI officials assured the demonstrators that their statement would be handed over to the appropriate authorities.

Security

A roadside ambush carried out by armed bandits along the Bangolo-Man road in western Côte d'Ivoire, yesterday left one person seriously injured. The attackers, who could not stop a civilian car carrying three people, opened fire wounding one of the passengers in his face and chest. However the vehicle managed to continue to Man after informing UNOCI peacekeepers in Logoualé. A joint patrol composed of PAKBATT and UNPOL was sent to secure the road and investigate the incident.

Arms embargo

Arms embargo inspections were yesterday successfully carried out by UNOCI peacekeepers at the Defence and Security Forces of Cote d'Ivoire's (FDSCI) Naval Base in the Abidjan district of Locodjoro, at its Gendarmerie Brigade in Gohitafla, as well as at the FAFN units in Doh, near Man (west) and Guian Houyé, near Danané (west).

Human Rights

The Regional Human Rights Office in Bouaké yesterday conducted a field mission to N'Douakro (10 km from Bouaké) to investigate the case of an unidentified man, aged between 35 and 40, found dead in a field next to the village with his hands tied. The village chief informed the Office that unidentified groups of men armed with Kalashnikovs regularly carried out attacks, including physical assault and extortion against civilians. The Office intends to raise the issue with the relevant Forces Nouvelles authorities

The Regional Human Rights Office in Duékoué, which monitored the safe return of a group of 380 Burkinabés to Tinhou and Kouadeguezon villages in the western sous-prefecture of Bloléquin, noted with concern that the Guéré community had asked the returnees to pay an annual fee of 50,000 CFA (equivalent $120) to a Guéré land owner in order to access and use the land in these areas. The returnees had fled the area as a result of a series of clashes between them and the Guéré community over land issues. The Office intends to discuss the issue with authorities and to ask that they ensure that the international principles on protection and assistance for internally displaced people (IDPs) are fully respected.