Clashes between FRCI and the
population of Sikensi - Prefect calls for social cohesion

Fraternité Matin
- Following the bloody conflict between them from 24 – 25 December 24 to
December 25in Sikensi, the Abidji and Malinké continued to live in a total
distrust. On Tuesday, 27 December, the Prefect of the city, Oumar Yéo gathered
together the local authorities, village chiefs, young people and community
leaders to ask them to do the best they could to preserve social cohesion by
forgiving one another. He also reassured the victims of this conflict that the
state and security will make the necessary arrangement to take care of them.
Mayor Aboh Faustin for his part urged, people who came at this meeting to preach
peace and forgiveness. Traditional leaders expressed their dissatisfaction
because they do not understand why their Malinké brothers attacked them. A
committee to handle the crisis was created to avoid such conflict in the future.

Tension still evident in
Sikensi

Le Nouveau Courrier
- (...) The tension was still palpable in Sikensi despite an impressive
detachment of gendarmes, police and UN soldiers. (...) weapons, ammunition and
military equipment were discovered yesterday morning at the Hotel Katahua in
Sikensi. A vehicle with weapons of war coming from Dabou was intercepted the
same day. The destination of these weapons seemed to be the young people of
Sikensi.

The government warned:
"Everyone will assume his responsibilities"

Fraternité Matin
- On the night of 24 December, a simple dispute between an element of Republican
Forces of Côte d'Ivoire (FRCI) and a young Abidji led to a fight. On December
26, 2011, a wild rumour of the death of the young Abidji gripped the whole
department. Angry people attacked the FRCI. A soldier died on the spot and
another was seriously injured. At midday, the already tense climate had
seriously deteriorated. The incident turned into a clash between Abidji and
Malinké. The Republican Forces of Côte d'Ivoire were changed by the Chief of
Staff of the Republican Forces of Côte d'Ivoire. They were replaced by the
National Gendarmerie and National Police, supported by UNOCI forces. The
civilian and military prosecutors were seized to put an end to repeated
violence, observed for several weeks and can not be justified. The Prime
Minister, Defence Minister asked the Ivorian people to look for reconciliation
and commit themselves to that reconciliation.

87 marine commandos suspended

Nord-Sud
- Since December23, the
salaries of eighty seven (87) marines of Lokodjoro naval base have been
suspended. They will soon be removed from the staff of the army. According to
Colonel Konaté Djakaridja, the Marine Force Commander, these soldiers never
showed up at the camp. They have simply disappeared from the ranks of the army
since the fighting ended