Highlights

- Forces Nouvelles soldiers defect to Ivorian national army
- UNOCI increase patrols after frequent road attacks in east
- Arrested men released by FN after Human Rights Office intervention

Military defection

A UNOCI special patrol, which yesterday attended the weekly flag raising ceremony and the security conference at the Forces Nouvelles (FN) HQ in Danané, learnt that 23 of the Movement's soldiers had defected to the National Armed Forces of Cote d'Ivoire (FANCI) with their arms, ammunition and equipment. A sum of 2.24 m FCFA was allegedly paid to the leaders of the defectors.

Security

A UNPOL patrol travelling from M'Bahiakro to Brobo, near Bouaké yesterday surprised a group of bandits attacking and robbing passengers of a minibus. On seeing the patrol, the bandits fired aerial shots before fleeing. Nobody was hurt. UNPOL informed the Mixed Brigade at N'Gattadolikro. On 20 May 2008, bandits also carried out a similar attack along the same road. As a result of the frequency of this sort of criminal activity in this area, UNOCI peacekeepers have increased their patrols.

DDR

The second phase of the regrouping ex-combatants from the third battalion of the FAFN in Bouaké is ongoing. During four days, 988 out of 1000 soldiers were registered including 36 women. All those processed received their allowances. 864 out of 900 soldiers destined for the national reinsertion programme (PNRRC) passed through the disarmament and demobilization stands. However, only five weapons, 98 rounds of ammunition and five grenades have been collected so far.

Arms embargo

Arms embargo inspections were yesterday successfully carried out by UNOCI peacekeepers at the FAFN Unit in Ouaninou, near Man (north west), at its Unit in Bako, near Odiénné (north), at its Unit in Dianra, near Séguéla (north west) and at its battalion in Bouna (north east). On the same day similar inspections were carried out at the FANCI Unit in Sinfra, its Unit in San Pedro (coastal) and at its Gendarmerie Brigade in Bongouanou, near Daoukro (east).

Human Rights

Following the intervention of the Regional Human Rights Office in Odiénné, three men who were arrested and detained at the local Gendarmerie by Forces Nouvelles soldiers on 10 May 2008 were released on 20 May 2008. The men, who were all cattle breeders, claimed that before they were taken to the gendarmerie on 11 May 2008, they were tortured at the residence of a corporal who is in charge of the cattle unit of the Forces Nouvelles. Their personal belongings, including two motorcycles and two cows were also confiscated. The Office is following up on their claims.

The Human Rights Office in Man is following up reports that three FAFN gendarmes based in Dainé, 36 km from Man, (west), interrupted a baptism ceremony by firing aerial shots because they claim the family did not have permission for the event. Four men involved in the event were taken to the gendarmerie and released 10 hours later after paying 9,000 FCFA ($21 approx). The following day the same gendarmes went back to the men's house to ask for more money as part of a fine. When they refused, they were allegedly severely beaten and then taken to the FAFN's barracks. They were released on 13 May 2008 after villagers raised 50,000 FCFA (118 USD) to pay their fine. Lieutenant Koné Moussa, commander of the 18 Montagnes gendarmerie has confirmed to the Office that the case is under investigation and that action will be taken against those found guilty.