Highlights

- SRSG Choi meets RDR leader Alassane Dramane Ouattara
- Joint mission to assess status of regional offices of Electoral Commission

Political

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Y.J. Choi today held a two-hour meeting in Abidjan with the president of the Rally for Republicans (RDR) political party, Mr. Alassane Dramane Ouattara. The two men discussed financial assistance and security provisions for elections, which are scheduled for 30 November 2008. Mr. Choi and the former Prime Minister welcomed the advances made so far in the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, and expressed their satisfaction with the fact that funds for the financing of the elections were now available.

Electoral

A joint mission comprising all the components involved in the electoral process, is due to arrive in the Vallée du Bandama region in eastern Côte d'Ivoire today to begin an assessment of the facilities provided in the regional offices of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), in Beoumi, Fronan and Dabakala. An earlier assessment mission in June 2008, had revealed that three sub-offices did not meet the required standard. In a separate but related issue, UNOCI's Electoral Assistance Division today met with representatives from the Jimmy Carter Foundation, an international institution which observes elections, to discuss the Ivorian electoral process with particular emphasis on the Mobile Courts operation and provisions for the regional branches of the IEC.

Security

A group of burglars armed with Kalashnikov rifles, yesterday broke into the offices of a local non-governmental organization in Blolequin, about 50 km west of Guiglo (west) and stole computers and other office equipment, as well as an unspecified amount of money. The incident is being investigated by the local police

Villagers from Leheindy, situated about 140 km east of Bouna (north), have deserted their homes following a series of robberies by unidentified armed criminals, who stole money and other personal belongings from them. The latest incident was on the night of 12 July 2008. The villagers have said that they fear for their safety and are taking refuge in the neighbouring village of Piaye, situated at about 130 km east of Bouna. The Police are investigating.

Redeployment of administration

President Laurent Gbagbo said yesterday, during his visit to Séguéla and Vavoua (centre west), that a decree, which would allow volunteer teachers, who are mainly found in Forces Nouvelles areas, to benefit from the Public Service's recruiting process, will be signed into law soon. Volunteer teachers, who significantly contributed to the continuance of the public education system in Forces Nouvelles areas during the five year crisis, have been fighting for such recognition for some time.

Human Rights

Following the intervention of the Regional Human Rights Office in Bouaké, the Forces Nouvelles police yesterday arrested a man accused of raping a 26-year old woman. On 8 July 2008, the Office had advised the victim to report the matter to the police in Bouaké, who immediately launched a criminal investigation. [Comments: Reported cases of rape, like those of physical assault, are often not effectively dealt with by the police. This lack of action has repeatedly contributed to a general feeling of impunity for such crimes].

On 14 July, the Regional Human Rights Office in Duekoué and the Préfet of Blolequin reviewed the situation of IDPs who recently returned to the area. Although no human rights violations were reported, returnees continued to face several challenges, including access to their plantations.