Highlights

- PDSRG and Force Commander meet Ivorian PM in Bouaké
- Impartial Forces carry out intensive patrols in Vavoua and Séguéla

Political

Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, today invited the Principal Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Mr Abou Moussa, along with UNOCI's Force Commander, General Fernand Marcel Amoussou, to Bouake to discuss the prevailing situation in Vavoua and Séguéla, following violent demonstrations last weekend. The delegation also included the Special Representative of the Facilitator of the inter-Ivorian direct dialogue, Boureima Badini and the French Ambassador to Cote d'Ivoire, André Janier.

FAFN protest

In the aftermath of violent demonstrations by ex-combatants of the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN) in Vavoua and Séguéla on 28 June 2008, UNOCI and Licorne troops are carrying out intensive patrols in both the towns and providing protection for main FAFN Camp in Séguéla. Meanwhile, hostages who were being held by the protesters in Vavoua were freed yesterday, after negotiations between them and the FAFN Chief of Staff General Soumaila Bakayoko. Although General Bakayoko promised that no action would be taken against them, the protesters formally asked UNOCI to create a buffer zone between them and the rest of the FAFN. In a related but separate issue, the BANBATT commander of UNOCI's Séguéla camp also met with the Acting Zone Commander of Vavoua and Séguéla, Commander Issiaka Ouattara, also known as Wattao, during which he asked for UNOCI's intervention to put an end to the continued indiscipline on the part of the protesters, which includes random firing. UNOCI also learnt yesterday that one of Commander Ouattara's men escaped unhurt after being shot at while on his way to a house in Séguéla.

DDR

A delegation from the Integrated Command Centre (ICC), which oversees the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) process, escorted by UNOCI peacekeepers, was due to travel via Vavoua and Séguéla to Kani (centrewest) to witness the next phase of the cantonment of FAFN ex-combatants.

Human Rights

The Human Rights Office in Daloa (west) has been investigating allegations of extortion, looting and physical assaults during the violent demonstrations by FAFN combatants in Séguéla and Vavoua on 28 June 2008. According to reports, five armed FAFN soldiers attacked the Hotel de la Paix in Vavoua, beat up the manager and stole goods and cash, while a Beninois man was threatened and forced to hand over 200,000 FCFA by another group of soldiers.

The Human Rights Office in Odienné (north) yesterday organized human rights training for 45 members of the FAFN in Touba. The session covered the mandate of the Human Rights Division, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment as well as Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials. On 27 June 2008, the Office held a similar training session for 30 members of political parties, women's associations and the Human Rights Promotion and Protection Cell at Madinani, situated at 80 km east of Odienné. This session focused on civil and political rights, with a view to creating awareness on the forthcoming elections.