Highlights

- GHANBATT mediates peaceful end to violent confrontation in Bouna
- Militias in Yamoussoukro want to join reunified army
- UNOCI provides training for National Human Rights Commission staff

Security

GHANBATT troops were deployed in Bouna on 19 July 2008, to prevent any escalation of a confrontation between Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN) troops and a large group of young people. It was reported that the incident flared up after an FAFN soldier became angry over the price quoted for a chicken. The soldier went to his house and returned with an AK47 rifle and started firing indiscriminately. He was restrained by a group of local men who confiscated his weapon and handed it to the Chief. On hearing about the incident a large group of FAFN soldiers marched to the Chief's home to retrieve the rifle. The GHANBATT Commander at Bouna Camp, UNPOL, Military Observers and Force Licorne mediated a meeting between the Chief and FAFN leadership and succeeded in resolving the issue. The weapon was later gave to the Impartial Forces who in turn handed it back to the FAFN. The FAFN has apologized for the incident.

A group of unidentified men in a truck fired sporadic shots in the air and shouted at the top of their voices while driving past PAKBATT's camp in Dabakala on 19 July 2008. PAKBATT troops were put on high alert during the incident and their Commander was this morning due to meet the Forces Nouvelles authorities to find out who was involved in the incident. The situation was reported calm this morning.

DDR

A militia group, based in Yamoussoukro, called Scorpion Guetteurs, yesterday held a press conference during which it declared that it was still unclear about the future of its members in the disarmament and dismantling of militias (DDM) process. Speaking on behalf of the group, their commander, Bombia Dié said i twas unfair that only ex-combatants of the FAFN and the Defence and Security Forces of Cote d'Ivoire (FDSCI) are to be considered for the new unified army.

BENINBATT provided logistical and security escort for the closing ceremony of a training programme for some 500 former child soldiers in Péhé and Kaadé in the Moyen Cavally region (west) on 18 and 19 July 2008. 250 of the participants will go back to school while the rest will be trained in poultry, pig and vegetable farming. The training programme was funded by UNICEF.

Human Rights

The Human Rights Division conducted a two-day human rights training for the 43 members of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Cote d'Ivoire, including its President on17 and 18 July 2008. The course aimed at assisting the NHRC in terms of strengthening its capacity to monitor the human rights situation in the country and deal with complaints. It focused on basic human rights norms and principles.

The Regional Human Rights Office in Bouaké along with UNPOL are investigating the alleged summary execution of a FAFN soldier accused with two others of stealing 25 million FCFA from a small village near Ferkéssedougou (north). The soldier's wife had reported her husband missing to UNPOL and, on making inquiries, UNPOL was told by FAFN authorities in Katiola that three men had been arrested for trying to steal 25 million FCFA and subsequently killed because they became violent while trying to escape. The woman identified her husband as one of the three.