Highlights

- UNOCI peacekeepers investigate rumours of illegal movement of arms on Guinea border
- FAFN ex-combatants protest against exclusion in DDR process

Security

BANBATT this week conducted a reconnaissance mission to investigate rumours of illegal movement of arms on the border between Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire. The mission found that there was no basis to the rumours. However, a patrol comprising UNPOL and Military Observers is carrying out further investigations. Meanwhile, a meeting will be held today between representatives of the Impartial Forces, local civil administration and representatives of Guinean military and paramilitary officials to discuss security on the border during the electoral period.

Roadside robberies still remain a main concern for populations of the Haut-Sassandra and Moyen Cavally regions. On 4 August 2008, Zezra village, near Vavoua, (centre-west) was attacked by four to five masked men armed with AK-47s. The bandits made off with 3 motorbikes. The Armed Forces of Forces Nouvelles (FAFN) is investigating the incident. In another attack on the same day, at about 5 km from BENINBATT Camp in Guiglo, a total of 126,000 CFA and one mobile phone were taken from travellers by two roadside bandits armed with hunting rifles. No injuries were reported during the attack. Meanwhile, residents in Bounatinfla, near Daloa (centre west) yesterday told a UNOCI patrol that they were frequently targeted by armed bandits, mostly on market days, along the roads to Bonon, Bouaflé and Sinfra.

On 4 August 2008, five individuals wearing military fatigues and armed with Kalashnikovs burgled five homes in Binao village, 10 km south of Bangolo (west). The residents were severely beaten and approximately 20,000 FCFA ($47) and personal items were stolen. On the same day, around noon, five masked men armed with hunting rifles, ambushed a bus carrying four passengers in the same area. They robbed one passenger of a wallet containing 70,000 FCFA ($166) but the driver and the four passengers managed to escape. Bangolo Mixed Brigade is investigating.

DDR

Around 60 FAFN ex-combatants yesterday blocked the main road in Bouaké in the vicinity of the Gendarmerie and Police protesting against their non involvement in the 8th phase of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) process which started earlier the same day in the 3rd battalion camp in the city. The Zone Commander, Ousmane Cherif was called urgently to the scene, where he spoke with the protesters and assured them that they would be included in the DDR process. Meanwhile, in Man (west), more than 100 FAFN ex-combatants yesterday demonstrated over their poor living conditions. UNOCI is closely monitoring the situation.

The 8th phase of the demobilization of FAFN ex-combatants continued today in Bouaké. Out of the 705 ex-combatants involved, 466 will join the new army. According to the Integrated Commanding Centre (ICC), out of the 36,000 FAFN ex-combatants, 9,498 have been demobilized so far.

Electoral

The Electoral Assistance Division yesterday visited the headquarters of SAGEM, the technical operator for the identification operation, in Plateau, Abidjan, to assess progress on the ongoing renovation work. The Division was assured by the National Office for Identification that the building would be ready by 11 August 2008.

Arms embargo

UNOCI peacekeepers yesterday successfully carried out arms embargo inspections at the FAFN's unit in Bouaké, at its 11th battalion in Dabako, near Bouna (north) and at the National Armed Forces of Cote d'Ivoire's (FANCI) battalion in Daoukro (east) and its unit in Diawala (north)

Human Rights

On 5 August 2008, the Regional Human Rights Office in Bondoukou conducted a training session on human rights for 46 soldiers from the Ghanaian Battalion. The training covered the Mission's human rights mandate and the main international human rights instruments, including the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women.

On 4 August 2008, the Regional Human Rights Office in Duékoué and the Electoral Assistance Division jointly conducted a sensitization seminar for more than 50 community leaders from the Guéré, Baoulé, Malian and Burkinabé communities in the sous-préfecture of Péhé, approximately 40 km from Toulepleu (west). The seminar focused on human rights and women's rights, the peace process and the upcoming elections.