Highlights

- SRSG meets FPI delegation at UNOCI headquarters
- Identification operation now in 13 regions
- Ivorian army chief tells ONUCI FM Government cannot pay Mixed Brigades' salary arrears

SRSG's activities

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Cote d'Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, today met with a delegation of the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) party, led by its president, Mr. Affi Nguessan, at the Mission's headquarters in Abidjan to discuss the crisis resolution process. At the end of the meeting, Mr. Nguessan told journalists that the FPI was concerned over certain issues with regard to the end of crisis process, such as security and the restoration of state authority throughout the country. As UNOCI is the eyes and ears of the international community, he said, his party had come to express those concerns to the head of the Mission. Mr. Choi also met with a delegation of the Francophonie organisation.

Electoral process

The identification and voter registration process is now underway in 13 regions in Côte d'Ivoire. As of yesterday, 1,715,000 people had registered in Abidjan and 43 823 in Bouaké.
Mixed Brigades
Following the protests last week by members of the Mixed Brigades in Bangolo, Bonoufla, Zeale and Ngattadolikro against the non payment of their allowances and salaries, the Chief of Staff of the Defence and Security Forces of Côte d'Ivoire (FDS-CI) General Philippe Mangou, said yesterday that the state treasury would not be able to meet their claims. General Mangou, who was Bouake to encourage gendarmes and police providing security for the identification and voter registration operation, made the remark in an interview with the Mission's radio, ONUCI FM. He pleaded with the protesters to try and understand the Government's position.

Security

Six armed men yesterday attacked three public transport vehicles in Binao, 6 km south of Bangolo (west). The assailants stole mobile phones, cash and other personal belongings from passengers, but nobody was hurt. On the same day, bandits armed with Kalashnikovs and hunting rifles robbed pedestrians near Guinglo –Sropan village, 30 km west of Bangolo. They stole cash and mobile phones. Two people were injured during the attacks and were taken to Guehiebly Hospital.

In Yamoussoukro yesterday, unidentified individuals armed with assault weapons attacked the "Renaissance Santé" health centre after overpowering a guard. They escaped with an undisclosed amount of money, computers and other office equipment. An investigation has been launched with UNPOL assistance.

Humanitarian

UNOCI staff working in the northern town of Korhogo yesterday donated food and money to the Regional HIV/AIDS Committee during an official ceremony to commemorate the 21st World AIDS Day.


Human Rights

Within the framework of the commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and in line with the 16 day-campaign for the elimination of violence against women organised by the Human Rights Division, a delegation led by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights and including by the Ministry of Solidarity and Victims of War and the Ministry of the Family, Women and Social Affairs, the National Human Rights Commission and local human rights NGOs, conducted a three-day mission to Odienné (north) from 26 to 28 November 2008. The delegation visited the Poste de Commandement Operationelle and the civilian prison, where conditions remain a major cause for concern. During an official ceremony in honour of the delegation, the chief of staff, representing the Minister of Justice and Human Rights urged the population to commit themselves to the promotion and protection of human rights and particularly those related to women's human rights. He also reiterated the ministry's commitment to fight impunity and tackle violence against women. The Chief of the Human Rights Division stressed the need to end physical and sexual violence against women and to fight harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation and forced and earlier marriage to ensure respect of human dignity and justice for all. He also highlighted the importance of increasing human rights education and awareness in schools through the establishment of human rights clubs.

The Regional Human Rights Office in Duekoué, on 1 December 2008, organised a training session for electoral commissioners and others members of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) working in the area. Some 105 people from different political parties and organisations took part in the session held under the theme: Human Rights and Elections. The session also covered international standards on human rights in electoral matters, namely the will of the people, non-discrimination, self-determination and political participation. After the meeting, a documentary on human rights was shown to participants.