NATIONAL PRESS REVIEW FOR TUESDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2011
United Nations Day (UN DAY) - Ban Ki-moon: “United Nations has never been so needed than today”
Nord-Sud - During the celebration of the United Nations day, the Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, said that the United Nations has never been so needed than today. “Since the creation of the United Nations, sixty-six years (66) ago, we have made remarkable progress. As we have seen in this dramatic year, people everywhere are standing up for their rights and human freedoms…. That is the very mission of the United Nations: to build a better world; to leave no one behind, to stand for the poorest and most vulnerable in the name of global peace and social justice. On this special day, let us recognize: never has the United Nations been so needed than today” Ban Ki-moon said. According to the head of the United Nations the progress made “is under threat from economic crisis, rising joblessness and inequality and climate changes”. For this reason the Secretary-General pleaded for unity in the world. “Too many people believe governments and the global economy can no longer deliver for them. In these turbulent times there is only one answer: unity of purpose. Days from now, the human family will welcome its 7 billionth member. Let us unite, 7 billion strong, in the name of the global common good,” he said.
Y. J. Choi’s successor as head of the UN mission in Cote d’Ivoire Gerard Bert Koenders arrived yesterday at the Felix Houphouët-Boigny international Airport: “I will bring my support to the respect of justice and human rights”
Fraternité Matin, Le Patriote, Le Démocrate, Nord-Sud, Le Jour plus, Le Nouveau Réveil, L’Expression, Le Quotidien, L’Inter, Soir Info – The new Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d’Ivoire, Gerard Bert Koenders arrived yesterday in the country. Before leaving the airport he said to the press: “I am talking to the people of Côte d’Ivoire who have endured suffering and personal losses during the long period of crisis. I congratulate them for the progress they have accomplished. I would like to let them know that I am here to serve them…” the Choi’s successor said. He also said that as the people of Côte d’Ivoire have chosen a new way it was crucial for them to reconcile themselves and work together to restore national unity. The new head of UNOCI said that from his country he followed what was happening in Cote d’Ivoire. He added that UNOCI will do its best to help Cote d’Ivoire build a better future for its children.
Car accident in Toumodi: the condolences of UNOCI
Nord-Sud – The ceremony marking the 66th anniversary of the United Nations Day officially took place on Monday in Yamoussoukro, in a very sober way as the UN gesture of solidarity with the people of Cote d’Ivoire bereaved by a traffic accident that occurred on Saturday on the road between Toumodi - Yamoussoukro. "First of all, I would like to express the condolences of the United Nations to the people and the Ivorian Government bereaved by the tragic accident which occurred on Saturday 22 0ctober a few kilometres from Yamoussoukro”, the Deputy Special Representative of Secretary-General United Nations Côte d'Ivoire, Arnauld Akodjenou said.
Legislatives of December 11: the IEC will postpone the registration dead line
Le Nouveau Réveil – The deadline for registration for the legislative elections was supposed to be tomorrow. However according to some sources this deadline will be extended for one week. The government will probably adopt this extension during its cabinet meeting. As matter of fact big parties such as the Rally of the Houphouetists for peace and democracy are not ready. There is no consensus on their chosen candidates. The former ruling party FPI is still hesitating. Despite all this December 11 will remain the date of the elections.
The IEC is still waiting for candidates
L’Inter – The Independent Electoral Commission is still waiting for candidates. There is no great affluence to deposit applications. According to our sources only sixty independent candidates have applied. For an IEC officer parties seem not to be in hurry to register for the legislative elections.
The Ivorian army torn apart: FRCI are threatening to kill gendarmes.
Le Nouveau Courier - The "line" is interrupted between the gendarmerie and the FRCI on duty in the great town of Abobo. Several police patrols have been threatened by members of the FRCI. The incident appeared to be minor. A week ago, a patrol of gendarmes belonging to the new security Brigade, were surrounded by elements FRCI, heavily armed in Abobo and were asked to return to their camp, Agban. They gave them a clear message for their superiors: "Go and tell those who sent you here (Abobo, editor’s note) that we do not want to see gendarmes here. Otherwise next time you will see what we will do to you. This was the message conveyed by gendarmes to their superiors, including Lieutenant Sonkonté Issa, commander of the Security Brigade. The hierarchy minimized this incident. Last week, Thursday and Friday, other patrols of the security Brigade in Abobo-sector 5 and Anyama, met the same fate. A source within the gendarmerie said that last week two types 4x4 vehicles on patrol in the town of Abobo were once again attacked near Samaké. This time, the elements of the FRCI became more threatening. After encircling the gendarmes, they “disarmed" them and held them “hostage” for more than an hour". "We will start killing you like dogs. We do not need the police here. Abobo is our territory. This is the last time we want to see your patrols, next time we will kill one of you" they said.
Postponement of the 15 October meeting, beating of activists: The JFPI accuses the government
L’Inter - The deputy National Secretary of Ivorian Popular Front Youth (JFPI), Justin Koua, denounced the government's actions in relation to the events of Saturday, October 15, 2011 at Yopougon. After the postponement of the general meeting that they had planned and especially the beating of activists of the former Presidential Majority (LMP) by Republican Forces (FRCI) and RHDP’s activists of Yopougon, Justin Koua made a statement of which we got a copy: "The Youths of the FPI denounce the inacceptable behaviour of the authorities in charge of the security of the Ivorian people. They demonstrated through the release of the Ministry of Interior a bankruptcy of state security. We cannot tolerate these acts of governmental authorities that are likely to undermine social cohesion, while the FPI believing their good faith is preparing for the forthcoming parliamentary elections ", insisted Mr. Koua. (...) Justin Koua spoke of a "democratic setback of at least 29 years". He referred to the cancellation under the same conditions, a public lecture at the invitation of Laurent Gbagbo students of the Faculty of Law at the city theater of Cocody in 1982. (...) As in colonial times, the rebel leaders, acting like the circles guards, have the power of life and death over the "natives" with the blessing of the French army,” the leader of JFPI said. (...). According to him, the "conditions of security are too precarious to have a fair election since the meetings of the opposition can be dispersed.”