Highlights

- Militia sensitisation operation starts in western Côte d'Ivoire today
- Forces Nouvelles commander laments lack of legal infrastructure in Man
- Mixed Brigade gendarmes strike over allowances

DDM

A four-day sensitization campaign for militia groups in western Cote d'Ivoire was due to start today. Representatives from the National Programme for Reintegration, the PNRRC, the Integrated Command Centre (ICC), the National Civic Service Programme, (PSCN), UNOCI and UNDP will lead the sensitization campaign which is part of the disarmament and dismantling of militias (DDM) process. The campaign follows preparatory meetings between the organizations involved in the process and leaders of the militias which were held on 8, 10 and 14 July 2008, in Yamoussoukro and Abidjan. This campaign is expected to start in the western town of Zouan-Hounien and end in Zanié on 25 July, 2008.

DDR

An official signing ceremony for three reintegration projects is scheduled to take place tomorrow in Bouaké between the Project Implementation Committee (PIC) and the respective beneficiaries under the umbrella of the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN). The three projects – which cost a total of 11.4 million FCFA - are part of a "1000 projects for peace" initiative by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Côte d'Ivoire, Mr. Y. J. Choi. The projects, which involve cattle, pig and chicken breeding, will be implemented in Olienou Village, near Bouaké, and will help the reintegration of some 30 FAFN ex-combatants. Meanwhile, a special demobilization operation for 72 FAFN ex-combatants will also take place tomorrow in Bouna (north). The demobilized soldiers will then be regrouped in Ferkessedougou (north) where they are due to be resettled.

Security

The Forces Nouvelles Gendarmerie Commander in the western town Man yesterday told participants at the weekly security coordination meeting organized by his Movement that dealing with young offenders in the 18 Montagnes region was a huge problem because of the absence of a proper legal infrastructure. He said that the condition of the local prison had deteriorated considerably and that there were no suitable institutions for young offenders. As a result, law enforcement officers often opt for mediation between the offenders and their victims as a way of dealing with petty crimes.

A passsenger vehicle travelling to Seguéla (centre west) escaped an ambush by five armed men yesterday on the road between Bonoufla and Vavoua (centre west). On seeing the five men in the middle of road, the driver, accelerated forcing them to disperse.

Mixed Brigade

Members of the Mixed Brigade in Bangolo (west) have been on strike since yesterday over the non-payment of their monthly allowances. The gendarmes claim that the ICC in Yamoussoukro promised them that they would receive their dues months ago. ICC officials are in talks with the Mixed Brigade in an effort to find a solution to the problem.

Accident

The Deputy Commander the Ghanaian Medical Unit, Major Isaac Archer, yesterday died in a road accident on the Abidjan - Sikensi road (south). Two other colleagues who were travelling with him were seriously injured and are being treated in an Abidjan hospital. The three peacekeepers were traveling from Bouaké to Abidjan when their vehicle collided with another. Major Archer was 35.

Arms embargo

UNOCI peacekeepers yesterday successfully carried out arms embargo inspections at the National Armed Forces of Côte d'Ivoire's (FANCI) unit in Guiglo (west) and at the Cantonment site in San Pedro (south).

Human Rights

The Regional Human Rights Office in Bouaké yesterday organised a sensitisation day in Katiola (east), on the theme: "Violence Aganist Women and the Consequences". The event, which was held at the Cultural centre, was organised in collaboration with local human rights NGOs to mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Presentations were made on a variety of topics, including female genital mutilation, which is widely practiced in this area, and women and the HIV/AIDS pandemic.