Highlights

- SRSG scheduled to meet President Laurent Gbagbo today
- Ivorian Minister of Justice launches reconstitution of civil registers process
- UNOCI praised for its support for prison rehabilitation programme

Political

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, was today scheduled to meet with Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo to discuss Security Council's Resolution 1865, which extended the mandate of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) for another six months. The two leaders are expected to exchange views on the Security Council meetings held in New York last week and attended by Mr. Choi, who presented the Secretary-General's 19th Report on UNOCI.

Electoral process

The Ivorian Minister of Justice and Human Rights yesterday officially launch the administrative and judicial phase of the reconstitution of civil registers. The reconstitution of civil registers will allow people who cannot obtain copies of lost identification documents to do so.

Restoration of state authority

UNOCI was today commended in Bouaké for its valuable support to the rehabilitation of prisons programme in Côte d'Ivoire. The remark was made at a handover ceremony during which the Préfet of the Vallée du Bandama region officially took possession of the newly rehabilitated prison from the Paris-based NGO "Prisoners without borders". The Mission is a partner of "Prisoners without borders" with regard to its programme to support the restoration of the judiciary in the zones under Forces Nouvelles (FN) control. UNOCI's Rule of Law section played a crucial role in the rehabilitation of 11 prisons in former FN zones, by conducting a sustained advocacy campaign for the project. The rehabilitation of nine of the 11 prisons was financed by the German Government and that of the remaining two by the European Union.

Security

UNOCI peacekeepers today carried a long range patrol in the Daoukro - M'Bahiakro region (centre) to enhance security in these areas which have recently witnessed several cases of violence, particularly in Bonguera village, where two people were killed this month. The two deaths occurred when local residents violently clashed with two FAFN soldiers who demanded money from them in return for releasing two villagers.

Residents in Gbombelo village, near Man (west) have told UNOCI that soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN) regularly demand money from people in exchange for allowing them through their checkpoints.

Arms embargo inspection

UNOCI peacekeepers successfully conducted arms embargo inspections at the FAFN's 81st battalion in Odienné (north) and at its 11th battalion in Assoum 11, near Bouna (north).

Human Rights

The Regional Human Rights Office in Bouaké is following up the case of a man and a woman who were arrested on 24 January 2009 by ten FAFN soldiers armed with Kalachnikovs in the Dar es Salam neighbourhood in Bouaké in place of one of their relatives accused of the fraudulent sale of property. During the arrest, it is alleged that the soldiers smashed down six doors in the house and stole 55,000 FCFA (approx $110). The woman was released on the same day but the man is still in custody at the Compagnie Guépard camp.