Highlights

-Special Representative of Facilitator Compaoré welcomed by UNOCI OIC
-FN yet to join mixed brigade at Kokpingue;
-Arms embargo check in Sandégué;
-Peacekeepers attend reconciliation ceremony in Blolequin;
-Students loot and ransack about 30 cafes and restaurants in Yopougon (Abidjan)

Political

Mr Boureima Badini, Special Representative in Côte d'Ivoire of the facilitator of the inter-Ivorian dialogue, President Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso, arrived today at Abidjan airport, where he was welcomed by the officer-in-charge of the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), Mr Abou Moussa. Mr Badini said his task was to represent the Facilitator on a daily basis with the other members of the Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (CEA - French acronym) for the implementation of the Ouagadougou Agreement. The effective implementation of the agreement, he said, would lead to the resolution of the Ivorian crisis and the organization of democratic elections in the country. Mr Moussa welcomed Mr Badini's presence, stating that it was directly in line with what was discussed in Ouagadougou. He stated that UNOCI intended to work with the Special Representative of the Facilitator, pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1765 of 16 July 2007, and assured him of the availability and commitment of the mission,

Mixed brigades

On 10 Sep, Teamsite Bouna reported that the mixed brigade checkpoint set up at Kokpingue in northeastern Côte d'Ivoire on 17 August was operational, and that the new mixed brigade, which thus far has only Defence and Security Forces of Côte d'Ivoire (FDS-CI) members, has been carrying out joint patrols with UNPOL inside the former zone of confidence. A team comprising three UNPOL officers and three gendarmes from the brigade conducted a joint patrol at Ondefidouo, another northeastern location, on 10 September.

Security

A woman was attacked and robbed by a group of armed men on Monday 10 September in Man. Investigations are being carried out, UN Security reported
On Saturday 8 September, a BANBAT night patrol was sent to rescue a man from an angry mob at Draggege in western Côte d'Ivoire. Villagers had threatened to beat and injure the man after he was caught trying to kidnap a five-year old girl. Nobody was injured during the incident. The matter was handled by the village chief.

Arms Embargo

On 10 September, Teamsite Bondoukou and GHANBATT conducted an arms embargo inspection at the National Armed Forces of Côte d'Ivoire (FANCI) unit in the eastern location of Sandegué.
Social cohesion and reconciliation
On 9 Sep, the commanding officer of BENINBATT attended a reconciliation
ceremony organized in the western locality of Blolequin at which the Minister of
National Reconciliation, Mr. Sebastien Danon Djédjé, was guest of honour. During
the ceremony a symbolic act of forgiveness was performed and a peaceful
cohabitation pact signed.

Human rights

On 7 September, the Regional Human Rights Office in Abidjan reported that 50 elements of the Federation of Students of Côte d'Ivoire (FESCI) looted and ransacked 30 restaurants and cafés in the Abidjan neighbourhood of Yopougon. The violence followed a dispute between one FESCI member and a civilian from the area. FESCI Secretary-General Yao Koffi Serge condemned the attack by members of his federation and said the perpetrators would be prosecuted.