Highlights
- UNOCI chiefs accompany PM on assessment visit to HQ of technical operator for identification
- Absence of Mixed Brigade at Famiekro causing security concerns
Electoral
The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Côte d'Ivoire, Mr. Georg Charpentier and the Chief of the Electoral Division Mr. Ahmedou Seck yesterday accompanied Ivorian Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, and the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission Mr. Robert Beugré Mambé, on a visit to the headquarters of the technical operator for identification, SAGEM. The purpose of the visit was to assess progress on the rehabilitation work being done. UNOCI has delivered 35 air conditioning systems, which it has donated to the Ivorian Government for the building.
Security
The absence of members of the Mixed Brigade at Famienkro (east) is causing security concerns in the area. Since their commander and another officer were killed in an ambush on 10 July 2008, the gendarmes have relocated to the nearby village of Prikro because they say they no longer feel safe in Famienkro. However, it has been noted that the security situation in Famienkro has been seriously affected by the murder of the two gendarmes and that as a result, redeployed civil servants are refusing to go back to the area unless a special force is deployed there. The Sous Préfet of Bonguera for example, has decided not to return to his post unless the security situation improves.
NIGERBATT today reported that Dozos (traditional hunters) have arrested 21 alleged suspects of two armed roadside attacks in the Korhogo area (north). However, the president of the Dozo Brotherhood in Korhogo, has refused to provide further details on the cases stating that the arrests were part of an ongoing operation to dismantle a gang of robbers The suspects are reportedly being held in custody in the house of the local Dozo Chief. The president confirmed that the Dozos intended to hand them over to the local gendarmerie. Meanwhile, the Regional Human Rights Office in Korhogo is investigating the conditions under which the suspects are being held under.
Human Rights
In Grand-Bassam, on 25 July 2008, the Human Rights Division along with a local NGO called Union des Jeunes Démocrates, organized a conference on human rights and fair, transparent and peaceful elections. The conference brought together approximately 500 participants including local authorities, traditional and religious leaders and civil society representatives.
On 26 July 2008, the Regional Human Rights Office in Odienné organized a human rights training session covering the main international human rights treaties and declarations for 23 members of the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN).
