Highlights

 

·                   
UNOCI steps up presence and
patrols on Guinea border;

·                   
FAFN, FDS plan joint operation in
the former zone of confidence;

·                   
Seven arms embargo inspections
conducted;

 

 

UNOCI increases patrols on Guinea border

 

The Special Representative of the Secretary
General for Côte d'Ivoire, Mr. Y.J. Choi, on Tuesday instructed UNOCI's military
to increase patrols on and near the border between Guinée and Côte d'Ivoire.
Following the death of President Lansana Konté on Monday 22 December, there were
reports of a failed coup d'état in Guinea, followed today by reports of a
standoff between the Prime Minister and the President of the National Assembly
about who is in charge of the government between now and February 2009, when
elections have been planned.

 

Meanwhile, in the Moyen Cavally region of western
Côte d'Ivoire, which borders Liberia, there are reports of increased vigilance
by security forces due to the movement of Liberian militias near the border.

 

Security

 

In order to enhance the security situation during
this period of the year, which usually coincides with a rise of criminal
activity, the ONUCI Force in Sector East today launched long-range patrols that
will operate in the central and northern areas of the sector. One patrol will be
sent from Bouaké to cover several neighbouring towns such as Raviart and
Tiébissou. The second patrol will be sent from Korhogo (North) and will cover
localities such as Kasséré and Katieli.

 

ICC to Oversee Joint Operation in ex-ZOC

 

UNOCI military this morning reported on a meeting
that took place at the Integrated Command Centre (ICC) in Yamoussoukro on 22
December 2008 between the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN) and the
Defence and Security Forces of Côte d'Ivoire (FDS-CI), which focused on
continuing reports of banditry and insecurity in the former zone of confidence.
According to the military Chief of Staff of UNOCI it was agreed that the FAFN
and FDS-CI will undertake a joint operation to restore security in this region.
The operation will aim to end the use of this zone as a safe-haven for
criminals, to continue to build mutual confidence between the two forces and to
show the goodwill of the armed forces to help the people living in this region
of Côte d'Ivoire.

 

Arms Embargo

 

UNOCI military and police undertook seven arms
embargo inspections yesterday around Côte d'Ivoire. In the southern town of
Adzope, UNOCI military, UN police (UNPOL) and the
French Force Licorne inspected the gendarmerie unit. In the western town of
Duekoué UNOCI military, military observers and the Bandladeshi battalion
inspected the FDS-CI regroupment site. In Biankouma, another western town, UNOCI
military inspected the 72nd Battalion.
 UNOCI military also inspected an FDS-CI site in Tabou [southwest] and the
FDS-CI  gendarmerie brigade in the east central town of Bocanda as well as FAFN
military sites in Tehini, near the northeastern town of Bouna and Tienko, north
of Odiénné [northwest].

 

Humanitarian Assistance

 

UNOCI's military
contingents throughout the country have increased their humanitarian assistance
as the year draws to an end. The Jordanian battalion donated 300 presents to
orphans living in and around Abidjan at the UNOCI "Christmas Tree" celebration
that was held on 19 December. The Togolese battalion also made a donation of
gifts. In Sector East, the Niger, Pakistani, Ghanaian and Bangladeshi
battalions, as well as the Ghanian Medical corps based in Bouaké provided
free medical assistance to 334
civilians yesterday. Cooked meals were provided to 32
people at the Center for the Physical Handicapped in Bouaké by the Pakistani
Battalion (this assistance is provided on a daily basis). In Sector West, two
Bangladeshi battalions, and the Moroccan, Benin, Senegalese and Bangladeshi
medical units provided free medical treatment to
282 patients while
potable water was given to 280
people at various places in the sector.

 

Meanwhile, UNOCI military and civilian personnel, together with local
authorities, organised an "Arbre de Noel" [Christmas Tree] this morning in the
eastern town of Bondoukou. Some 60 children between the ages of two and 12
received gifts collected from UN staff and local non-governmental organizations.
In Daloa [centre west], UNOCI Sector Commander General Rashid Khan was
this morning the patron of another "Arbre de Noel" celebration initiated by a
lawyer from that town. UNOCI staff donated money and gifts, and participated
with the children in the celebration.

 

Human Rights

 

On 23 December, UNOCI human rights officers
investigated the arrest of six persons, including five ex-FN elements and one
radio reporter in Séguélon (64 km south-east of Odienné) by heavily armed FN
elements commanded by Ouattara Issiaka, alias Wattao, the present
commander for Zone 5, the area around Séguéla. The arrests took place during the
night of 20-21 December in the N'Déoum neighbourhood, the native village of
former Zone 5 Commander, Zacharia Koné. The six persons have been detained in
the Seguela civilian prison. FN authorities indicated to UNOCI human rights
officers that the five ex-FN elements were arrested for their alleged
involvement in a 24 November attack on Seguela. They added that the Radio
Nehola reporter was accused of broadcasting
messages against the identification process and the Ouagadougou Peace Agreement.
The radio broadcasting equipment was dismantled and taken away by the FN
elements as well as a sum of 25.000 CFA (50 USD).

 

Ends