Highlights

- FAFN on high alert as arrests are made
- Identification and voter registration extends to other area today
- UNOCI encounters civil society in Grand Bassam and Gagnoa
FAFN unrest
The Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN) were still on high alert today in Séguéla where a dawn-to- dusk curfew was imposed since last night following an attack by dissident FAFN soldiers on the military headquarters at Camp Highlander in the early hours of yesterday morning. At least nine people, most of them reportedly dissident FAFN soldiers are now confirmed dead and some 33 suspects have been arrested. Shops and markets were functioning normally this morning as people began to venture outside after spending the best part of yesterday indoors. UNOCI continued to patrol the town, which was described as calm but tense. According to the FAFN hierachy in Bouaké, the attackers had also targeted the weapons store of Acting Zone Commander Issiaka Ouattara (alias Wattao) and their aim was to take over Séguéla, Vavoua, Bouaké and Korhogo. FAFN spokesman Major Seydou Ouattara has appealed for calm in all FN areas. He assured the population that the situation was under control and that the Séguéla incident would in no way jeopardize the identification and voter registration operation.

Electoral process

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) announced yesterday that it would be extending the identification and voter registration operation, which was launched in Bouake on 18 November 2008 and is due to end in Abidjan on 29 November 2008, to other parts of Cote d'Ivoire starting this week. The operation will start in Aboisso, Adiaké, Agnibilékrou, Akoupé, Alépé, Béoumi, Biankouma, Bouna, Dabakala, Dabou, Grand Bassam, Grand Lahou, Lakota, Nassian, Sakassou, Sikensi, Tanda, and Tiassalé from today and in Abengourou, Adzopé, Agboville, Bondoukou, Divo, Ferkessédougou, Gagnoa, Katiola, Man and Yamoussoukro on 28 November 2008. So far, more than 10, 000 people have registered to vote in Bouaké.
Information and sensitization
UNOCI today concluded a civil society forum in Grand Bassam, 43 km south of Abidjan and a seminar on social cohesion in Gagnoa (centre west). Some 80 people, including local authorities, traditional and religious leaders, youths and women attended the seminar in Gagnoa. In Grand Bassam, about 1000 people participated in the forum which focused on the town's commitment to consolidating peace in Côte d'Ivoire. The medical unit of the Jordanian Battalion (JORBATT) provided free medical care and medicines as part of the two-day event in Grand Bassam, which included workshops involving women, youths, traditional chiefs and the media on Monday, its first day.

Security

Members of the Mixed Brigade at Zeale (west), who yesterday set up roadblocks along the road to Teapleu, 25 km south of Danané, in protest against unpaid salaries and allowances, have now ended their action.

Arms embargo

UNOCI Military Observers (Milobs) today successfully carried out an arms embargo inspection at the gendarmerie brigade in Guitry, near Gagnoa (centre west).

Human Rights

The Regional Human Rights Office in Duékoué, on 20 November 2008, participated in activities marking the 19th commemoration of the Convention on the Rights of the Child organized by a local human rights NGO, La Pépinière. Some 400 people, including local authorities, teachers, students and members of local NGOs attended the events, which included discussions on the relationship between human rights and the rights of the child.
On 20 November 2008, the Regional Human Rights Office in Bondoukou, participated in a one-day training workshop on social cohesion organized by the Public Information Unit in Bouna (north), situated 166 km north of Bondoukou. Some 58 members of local human rights NGOs attended the session together with local authorities and UN agencies. Discussions centered on social cohesion, education in a culture of peace and alternative dispute resolution techniques.