Young-Jin Choi,
regarding ex-President Gbagbo: "The morale of his troops is very low"

Le Patriote  –
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Côte d'Ivoire, Choi
Young-Jin was a guest on Radio France Internationale (RFI). During the
discussion, the Chief of UNOCI describes the post-electoral violence, especially
the situation in the municipality of Abobo and in the west of the country and
also many desertions among the pro-Gbagbo soldiers. (...) There is an obvious
remark; Gbagbo does no longer has the military force he had at the beginning of
the crisis. Today morale among Gbagbo's soldiers is low. (...) We can say today
that more than 50,000 FDS are moderate and only some 5 or 3 thousands zealous
elements remain faithful to Gbagbo. If you visit Abidjan, you will notice that
the troops' morale is very low.
And
Gbagbo's camp is very worried about that. (...)

 

Human Rights
Council for an investigation commission

Le Patriote  –
The UN Human Rights Council, on Monday, examined a report on the situation in
Côte d'Ivoire which calls for the formation of an international investigation
commission on the human rights violations in this country. The report by the UN
High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, following the special session
held in December in Geneva, returns a verdict of "a drastic deterioration of the
situation" since the election of November 2010, "particularly in Abidjan and in
the west of the country. (...) Mrs Pillay's report which was published on Monday
calls for the constitution of a "credible and representative international
investigation commission" so that it "thoroughly" investigates the "serious
violations of human rights committed in Côte d'Ivoire, so that "the authors of
such violations are prosecuted and condemned".
(...)

 

Interview/Abdou
Diouf (SG of the Francophonie): « Gbagbo will be prosecuted by the International
Criminal Court »

Le Patriote  –

(...) Q: Do you not think that the time is favourable to
Gbagbo? AD: Time is not favourable to Gbagbo for he is governing a
lurching country, a country which is weakening more and more at the economic and
social level. (...) I say it like I feel it, with what is happening he will be
prosecuted by the International Criminal Court.
(...)

 

Sociopolitical
situation: The High hierarchy of the FDS-Ci reaffirms loyalty to Gbagbo

Fraternité Matin
 -
Almost all the High hierarchy of the Defence and Security Forces was received
yesterday by the President of the Republic at his residence in Cocody. That was
an opportunity for General Philippe Mangou and his collaborators to reiterate
their loyalty to the Head of State.
(...)

 

General Mangou:
«I am at my position»

Fraternité Matin
 –
(...) You see that I am well and truly at home. I am at my post. I am working to
liberate Côte d'Ivoire, my country", he reassures. (...) "Intoxication is a form
of fight that terrorists use to attack us", the CEMA adds. (...) The General
reaffirmed the commitment of his men and himself to fight "for the sovereignty
of Côte d'Ivoire and the defence of its institutions with determination".

(...)

 

Desertion in the
army/About hundred pro-Gbagbo soldiers who deserted took refuge in Liberia

Le Mandat
 –
Some hundred soldiers of the army loyal to Ivorian incumbent Laurent Gbagbo
deserted and took refuge in Liberia, a neighbouring country of Côte d'Ivoire,
some Ivorian refugees told AFP on Monday. (...)

 

Violent clashes
around the residence of General Mangou

L'Inter –
The
inhabitants of Yopougon were awakened on Monday, March 14 by heavy fire with
heavy weapons and Kalashnikovs. The fight created panic and disrupted traffic.
Between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m, we were unable to leave Yopougon for Adjamé. We found
ourselves in the middle of heavy guns fight at the first bridge of Yopougon. As
we were turning back, we saw columns of CECOS vehicles full of gendarmes and
armed policemen driving at high speed towards the corridor of Gesco. The
shooting continued until in the afternoon if we are to believe our sources in
Wassakara and Port-Bouet 2. During the day, conflicting reports circulated. Some
rumours said that the private residence of General Philippe Mangou Chief of
Staff of the Ivorian armed was looted by Young Patriots, while other sources
claimed that the city of the Anti-Riot Brigade (BAE) had been attacked and
occupied by assailants.

 

Message to the
Nation/Laurent Gbagbo will not say No or yes

L'Intelligent
d'Abidjan–
Could the aftermath of Addis Ababa look like the 100 days that we just
experienced?" Laurent Gbagbo may surprise, Gbagbo will surprise. A direct
dialogue between Ivorians to end the violence and the post electoral crisis may
be possible. After Marcoussis in January 2003, while his supporters were angry,
Laurent Gbagbo asked them to accept the bitter pill of Marcoussis. In November
2004, after the failure of the operation dignity, Laurent Gbagbo listened to
Thabo Mbeki's advice. He accepted Ouattara's candidacy to the dismay of his
supporters. As we can see Laurent Gbagbo always confuses his camp. The challenge
today, however is to give his chair to Alassane Ouattara. It is too much to ask!
But Laurent Gbagbo, while meeting with his lieutenants this weekend, said that
he does not want civil war in his country. He wanted to test African Union. He
could try the ultimate dialogue.

 

Blolequin /
Mistaken for rebels, eight (8) Togolese beaten and murdered by mercenaries and
militia Gbagbo

Jour Plus  –

On March 7 in the morning, rumours of fighting and the fall of
Toulepleu reached Blolequin where a strong contingent of Liberian auxiliaries
led by Bob Marley was stationed. They responded to the fall of Toulepleu by
attacking and destroying the RHDP's properties in the city. Pro-Gbagbo
militiamen went to Keibly and found the family of Ayehou a well-known trader in
koutoukou - a local alcoholic drink. They were eight (08) Togoleses. They were
brought to Blolequin and slaughtered. Their murder surprised and dismayed
Blolequin. Ayehou was known for his successful integration in Blolequin.

 

Côte
d'Ivoire – Guillaume Soro «extends until March 31, the suspension of cocoa
coffee »

Connectionivoirienne.net –
The Prime Minister, Mr. Guillaume Soro Kigbafori has informed the operators of
coffee and cocoa that the suspension of exports of coffee and cocoa is extended
until March 31, 2011.

 

Côte d'Ivoire – the signal from
the RTI cut on the bouquet of Canal + Horizon

Connectionivoirienne.net –
The signal from
the Ivorian Radio and Television (RTI), disappeared on Monday afternoon from the
bouquet of Canal + Horizon. It is a blow to Gbagbo and his clan since the
fighting in Abobo that led to the sabotage of its facilities RTI is received in
Abidjan and its suburbs only on the bouquet of Canal +  Moreover, it was
announced that Laurent Gbagbo would address the nation on Monday night.