Highlight

-Mobile Court hearings held in Ferké but delayed in Yamoussoukro
-UN Exploratory Mission meets with FN officials and UNOCI staff in Bouaké
-Market women demonstrate in Bondoukou
-Starvation threatens western locality, UNOCI patrol reports

Mobile Court hearings

An organizational meeting between the Sous Prefecture and Mobile Courts Technical team scheduled for Yamoussoukro yesterday was cancelled, resulting in a delay of the starting date for the courts. However, Mobile Court hearings were held Ferkéssedougou on the same day. The mobile court judges later left to attend a meeting in Abidjan.

The UN Exploratory Mission

The UN Exploratory mission sent to Cote d'Ivoire to make preliminary inquiries in connection with the assassination attempt against Prime Minister Guillaume Soro on 29 June 2007, today visited Bouaké, where they met with senior officials of the Forces Nouvelles as well as UNOCI staff.

Demonstration

GHANBATT reported that more than 300 market women in the eastern town of Bondoukou yesterday demonstrated in front of the town hall in protest against a decision by the Mayor to relocate them. However the demonstration was peaceful and the Mayor assured the women that the relocation would be on a short-term basis - while the market is being rehabilitated with funds provided by the European Union. He said that the traders could move back once the work was completed.

Military

MORBATT and UNPOL yesterday carried out joint patrols in Bouaké, while BANBATT and Licorne did the same in Semien in the western town of Man. TOGOBATT and Licorne all patrolled in Abidjan.

Arms embargo
Military Observers from Teamsite Gagnoa yesterday conducted an arms embargo inspection at the Gendarmerie Platoon in the centre-western town of Lakota.

Human Rights

On 2 October, the Regional Human Rights Office in Daloa reported that four FN soldiers ("Cissé Plaisir", Fofana, Ladji and a fourth unidentified one) committed exactions against the civilian population in Séguéla on 29 September. The four soldiers beat up the civilians who were waiting at a bus station, injuring a 15-year-old boy. Furthermore, they forcibly entered the house of Mr. Timité Mamadou and took away his motorcycle. The Office brought the case to the attention of the FN authorities in Séguéla and requested their action. [Comments: Regional Human Rights offices based in areas under Forces Nouvelles control continue to document several human rights violations committed, in some instances with impunity, by FN elements. These include racketeering, ill-treatment, use of torture to settle private disputes or to administer "justice" in North and West Côte d'Ivoire.]

On 2 October, the Regional Human Rights Office in Duékoué discussed with Lieutenant Koné Moussa, Commander of the Gendarmerie, the plight of 15 FN members who have been in detention at the Poste de Commandemment Opérationnel (PCO) since 27 September following a violent dispute between two FN units, which resulted in the death of one man. The local Commander indicated to the Office that the 15 men would be transferred to the Gendarmerie pending the completion of a criminal investigation. [Comments: Despite the Government's decision to restore state authority and to deploy judges in the north since 29 June 2007, members of the Forces Nouvelles continue to settle private disputes through their own private justice system. Those who are arrested and detained have no alternative means to seek legal remedies or to challenge wrong-doing by members of the FN].

On 1 October, following the disproportionate use of force by policemen against members of the Associations des Persons Handicapées (Disabled persons association), the Regional Human Rights Office in Abidjan met with Mr. Abdou Traoré, Director of Cabinet in the Family and Social Affairs Ministry. The Office insisted on the respect of the freedom of association and assembly, especially for the disabled persons, who were claiming their right to better living conditions and access to education. Mr. Abdou Traoré welcomed the Office's concerns, adding that his Ministry would address the issue.

Miscellaneous

UNOCI Military Observers in the western town of Danané yesterday reported that the counting of people displaced during the war had started in the town.
Residents of Douimbli told a UNOCI patrol that visited the village yesterday that their children do not go to school because there are no teachers in the village.
Residents of the western locality of Gblepleu are on the brink of starvation, according to a UNOCI patrol that yesterday visited the village near Danané. The population also complained of extortion at the numerous check points erected by Forces Nouvelles soldiers along the road leading to the market in neighbouring Mahapleu village.