Highlights

- SRSG continues 1000 micro project promotional tour in Man
- Mobile Court hearings to restart on 27 August
- FAFN ex-combatants demand 5 million FCFA allowance

SRSG's activities

The Special Representative of the Secretary General for Côte d'Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, today met with Forces Nouvelles and local authorities in the western town of Man in the Dix-Huit Montagnes Region as part of his whistle-stop tour to promote the "1000 microprojects" initiative for the reintegration of ex-combatants, former militias and young people at risk. The SRSG encouraged those who will benefit from the initiative to ensure that they choose projects that will work and benefit the whole of their community. He said that UNOCI would later hand out certificates to those who have managed their income-generating activities well and that this would give them the opportunity to benefit from any other similar projects in the future.

Mobile Courts

The Ivorian Ministry of Justice and Human Rights yesterday announced that the Mobile Court hearings for identification will be relaunched in certain areas from 27 August to 12 September 2008. The move is to allow people who were not able to obtain substitute birth certificates and identification papers during previous operation, the latest of which ended on 15 May 2008, to do so. 50 teams will be deployed on the ground to carry out the operation in different parts of the country. These locations will be determined by the relevant authorities.

DDR

The demobilised ex-combatants of the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN) who demonstrated in Bouaké yesterday are demanding 5 million FCFA per person as "war allowance" which they claim was promised to them by FAFN authorities at the beginning of the Ivorian crisis. Meanwhile, out of the 1000 micro projects initiated by UNOCI for the reintegration of ex-combatants, former militias and young people at risk, 200 are expected to start in the Bouaké area within three months and 100 by mid-September. In this regard the Mission's DDR Office has identified around 20 institutions, including the technical cell of the FAFN military headquarters , the National Programme for reintegration and Community Development (PNRRC), the National Civic Service Programme, the German development agency GTZ and the Integrated Command Centre, which will each identify and implement ten of these micro projects.

Security

The Police Commissionet in Man (west) yesterday informed UNOCI that six soldiers from the Armed forces of Forces Nouvelles (FAFN) had been arrested. They are accused of taking part in various robberies, including an armed attack on the local UNICEF office on 10 August 2008.

Two soldiers were killed and a third injured during an armed robbery at a goldmine in Angovia, 20 km east from Yamoussoukro in the early hours of 18 August 2008. The victims were providing security at the goldmine when they were attacked by seven unidentified assailants. An investigation has been launched into the attack.

Arms Embargo inspection

UNOCI peacekeepers yesterday successfully carried out an arms embargo inspection at Guiglo Gendarmerie Brigade (west).

Humanitarian

The Jordanian Formed Police Unit along with the Civil Affairs Office based in Daloa (centre west), yesterday, organized the distribution of a hot meals and school kits for more than 200 children affected and/or infected by HIV/AIDS. The event, which was presided over by the Mayor of Daloa, was attended by children and their parents.

Human Rights

On 18 August 2008, the Human Rights Office in San Pedro, along with UNPOL, organised a training session for ten Young Patriots on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and regional human rights documents. This Office made a presentation on the role of young people in the promotion and protection of human rights and in facilitating dialogue and interaction among the various youth movements based in the Bas Sassandra region.

On 16 August 2008, the Human Rights Office in Odienné participated in a regional forum for political parties organized by the National Democratic Institute. The Forum, which was presided over by the Regional Commissioner (Prefet), was aimed at the dissemination of the Code of Conduct signed in 24 April 2008 by all political parties in order to ensure peaceful, free, democratic and transparent presidential elections scheduled for 30 November 2008. In this regard, the participants were urged to avoid violence and obstruction of the activities of other political parties. It should be noted that political violence has been common in the region of Denguélé since 1995, when the office of the regional authorities was burnt down by a group of young people, who were opposed to the holding of presidential elections that year.