Trafficking of knives and contraband goods – An UNOCI chief
before military tribunal
L'Inter -« General Kusi, deputy Force Commander of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and the head of the Legal Cell, Mr. Keiser were yesterday Wednesday, 24 February 2010, called by the military prosecutor, Lieutenant-colonel Ange Kessi Kouamé. The summoning of the UNOCI authorities follows the arrest of six UN soldiers of Jordanian nationality, caught in the act of smuggling knives and contraband products, on January 18th, 2010 by the gendarmerie in Yamoussoukro. According to the military prosecutor, the UN representatives came not only to answer for the offences carried out by these soldiers, but also to give information on the texts which govern their mission in Cote d'Ivoire. « These soldiers were caught in the act. According to the texts which governs the UN army, the Ivorian military does not have the power to arrest or judge them. Knowing that the offences took place on Ivorian soil, it is important for us to know the rules which govern them in such cases. » said the military prosecutor. The UN agreement is clear about what happens when someone is caught in the act, there is a procedure which must be followed. First the accused is arrested. The gendarmerie then transfers them to their base, having seized the objects in question which will then be sealed. Lieutenant-colonel Ange Kessi Kouamé said that the UNOCI officials had asked for the merchandise to be returned to their soldiers. '' We refused because the return of the goods must conform to a procedure, in view of the seriousness of the trafficking of 1,500 cartons of prohibited cigarettes and 1496 knives including 18 sabres, 1475 daggers and three cooking knives", said Ange Kessi Kouamé. These soldiers had attempted to defend their actions by falsely stating that the knives were decorative objects which they bought in Bouaflé. »

ONUCI FM threatened by the CNCA
Le Jour plus - « After France 24, the UN radio in a radio in Côte d'Ivoire risks a few days of suspension. A warning notice was sent yesterday to the management of the said radio. »

His Excellency Jean-Marc Simon (France's ambassador in Côte d'Ivoire) : « Everything is going well»
Fraternité-Matin - « (...) The doyen of the RHDP leaders, Henri Konan Bédié held separate meetings with the Prime Minister, Soro Guillaume and the French ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire, Jean-Marc Simon. « We spoke about the developments in the situation, the formation of the government and the IEC. I think everything is going well and we are hopeful that today, as announced, the new IEC will be set up to re-launch the electoral process without further delay and in accordance with the established rules", said the French diplomat. He added: « I think we can be confident. [..] »

Electoral Process: The Forces Nouvelles want the chairmanship of the IEC
Fraternité-Matin - « In an effort to reduce tension after the unfortunate events of last Saturday, the Forces Nouvelles yesterday met the population at the Ranhôtel in Bouaké. Seizing the opportunity, the Forces Nouvelles spokesman, Konaté Sidiki, revealed that with regard to the chairmanship of the IEC the Forces Nouvelles will be in the battle this time. Because the movement believes it has the arbitration skills to the crisis-resolution and also believes it would good if it is involved in the organisation of the elections. "The Forces Nouvelles wants to be a candidate in the IEC so that it can resolve the issue of confidence which exists between the parties », he declared.[...] »

Demanding 500,000 Fcfa - 200 persons from the ex-Gpp besiege the PNRRC
Le Quotidien - "There was a crowd yesterday at the headquarters of the National Programme for the Reintegration and Community Rehabiliattion in Cocody 2 Plateaux. 200 ex-members of the former GPP militia met yesterday morning at the headquarters of the National Programme for the Reintegration and Community Rehabilitation (PNRRC) in Cocody 2 Plateaux. The purpose of this unexpected visit: to demand 500 000 Fcfa which seems to have been promised to them by the government for their reintegration. Daniel Kossomina Ouattara, National Coordinator in the PNRRC said that this reaction did not surprise him, because this is the perfect expression of these young people's anguish and despair with regard to their future. (...) with regard to the 500 000 Fcfa that the activists of jean-Francois Kouassi, also known as General Jeff Fada, were asking for at the PNRRC, Mr. Ouattara said he was not the person to satisfy the demands of the former elements of the GPP. He said he was not aware that this money was available. However he said that the three-billion-budget granted to his institution was analyzed and he was informed of it. But this has not yet been used, this is why it is difficult for him to meet the needs of the target populations, he said; before asking Jeff Fada and his colleagues to draw up their projects and submit them to his service. The Coordinator of the PNRRC went further by urging the former elements of the GPP to contribute to peace by their responsible behaviour. [...]"

Contest for position in the IEC- Blé Goudé and the patriots end their silence
L'Intelligent d'Abidjan -"The Young Patriots are not happy with the current political situation and they want to state that today. The composition of the government and the IEC are topics which will be discussed this morning. (...) the new format of the IEC does not please the Young Patriots. They believe that there is a risk that these same problems will re-occur and they are very angry. At a secret meeting, they held long discussions on the attitude to adopt with regard to RHDP activists and especially the means to adopt in order to prevent the IEC from being held hostage again by the political parties who are in competition for the presidential elections. It is at the Baron de Yopougon at 10.00 Am that the young patriots will expose their position and their intention to everybody.