Highlights

- SRSG addresses participants at DDR seminar
- Setting up of centres for identification operation delayed

DDR
The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, today addressed participants at a seminar in Yamoussoukro on the socio-economic reintegration of ex-combatants. He stressed the importance of the 1000 micro projects aimed at helping ex-combatants and young people at risk, to integrate into their communities, which have been financed by the UN Peacebuilding Fund to the tune of $5 million. The 1000 micro projects initiative is due to be launched in Bouaké in the next few days. The aim is to create a peaceful environment during the electoral period. Meanwhile, the chairman of the National Coordination Committee, Daniel Ouattara, announced yesterday that the reintegration of ex-combatants and community rehabilitation in Côte d'Ivoire will cost about 44 billion CFA francs (approx $105 million).

Electoral

The Electoral Assistance Division has reported that there are delays in the setting up the 71 coordination centres for the identification operation. In the Vallée du Bandama region, rehabilitation work on the coordination centres in Bouaké, Katiola and Sakassou are at an advanced stage while in the coordination centres in Beoumi and Dabakala the work has not yet started. Meanwhile, the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) announced in a communiqué that registration on identification lists could start on 14 August 2008 and finish on 30 September 2008.

Security
Two people were seriously injured on 3 August 2008, during a violent clash between youths in Tessian, 32 km from Man (west) and soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN). Trouble started during a football match organized by the sous prefecture of Facobly between the soldiers and young people. Reports claim that the supporters of the FAFN soldiers became disruptive and started attacking the youths. An UNPOL patrol, escorted by BANBATT peacekeepers, succeeded in mediating a peaceful end to the clash and reported that the situation was now calm.


Arms embargo
UNOCI peacekeepers yesterday successfully carried out arm embargo inspections at the Ivorian Defence and Security Force's (FDSCI) Gendarmerie Company in Guiglo (west) and at the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles' 54th Battalion in Pelezi (centre west).

Humanitarian

The Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and UN Humanitarian Co-ordinator for Cote d'Ivoire, Georg Charpentier, yesterday met with the Military Prefect of the Moyen Cavally region to explain why the decision to close a centre for internally displaced persons (IDPs) had been taken. Mr Charpentier told Colonel Danon Djédjé, that with the return of most IDPs to their places of origin and the progress that had been made in the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, the humanitarian community together with its Ivorian partners had decided to close the centre, which opened in 2003.

Human Rights

The Regional Human Rights Office in Odienné visited the villages of Mahandiana Sokouraba and Madinani, 168 km north-east and 75 km east from Odienné respectivel, on 1 and 2 August 2008. In Mahandiana Sokouraba, a Human Rights Promotion and Protection Cell was established, presided over by the Village Chief, while in Madinani, the Office held a sensitization session for 14 members of the already established Human Rights Promotion and Protection Cell, focussing on women's rights. Previous sensitization sessions on women's rights led to the cancellation of ceremonies for the excision of 40 girls scheduled for July 2008.

On 31 July 2008, the Ivorian Parliament unanimously adopted a new law on xenophobia, racism and tribalism, making these violations punishable by imprisonment of five to ten years or a fine of 450,000 CFA to 5 million CFA (1,187.62 USD to 11,877.78 USD). The penalty is doubled when the violation is committed through public media or as part of a public manifestation or political rally.