The Crackdown on FPI’s meetings: Why the regime retreated

Le Nouveau Courrier – During these recent weeks, rallies and meetings of the FPI were systematically attacked by Republican Forces of Cote d’Ivoire (FRCI) and supporters of Ouattara. This was the case in Koumassi, Yopougon, or in Plateau. However, the repression had not dampened the flame of Ivorian patriots, and lovers of freedom and democracy. In fact, the regime truly feared a strong, uprising of the FPI. The application of the elementary rules of democracy seems to be a painful exercise for Ouattara and his men. But last Sunday, against all odds, the regime retreated and let the FPI hold its meeting in Marcory. More surprisingly, the Interior Minister, Hamed Bakayoko, was able to find - finally - policemen to secure the event. In fact, this is not a result of chance or a return to better feelings of Ouattara’s regime. This is the result of the relative "warning" from UNOCI last Saturday. In a statement, UNOCI - Albert Gerard Koenders’ version - reaffirmed its commitment to freedom of expression. "UNOCI reaffirms the inalienable right of every individual and group to freedom of assembly, association and expression. It is important for the strengthening of democracy in the country that political parties and organizations can campaign and organize meetings to express political beliefs. UNOCI however would like to reiterate that any recourse to violence is inacceptable and should be avoided so as to contribute to the maintenance of a peaceful environment," the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General said. This is the reason why the FPI’s rally in Marcory was held without violence.

Alassane Ouattara / Legislative elections: "I regret the boycott by the FPI"

L’ Expression - President Ouattara still believes that the FPI’s participation in the legislative elections is possible after the reshaping of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). The head of state is somewhat disappointed that the FPI has adopted the policy of the empty chair despite the response to satisfy their complaint about the restructuration of the IEC. Alassane Ouattara said yesterday on his arrival from Paris where he attended the 36th General Assembly of UNESCO. "I can only regret the boycott of the legislative by the FPI. Yet we tried to address some of their concerns,” he said. 24 hours before the closure of the nominations, he still believes in a possible decision of the party of Laurent Gbagbo to compete. "I do not despair that they will not surprise us by agreeing to participate in the election," he hoped.

The three major conditions of the FPI

Fraternité Matin - The Ivorian Popular Front, in all likelihood, will not take part in the legislative elections of December. Tape Kipré, during the FPI’s meeting organized by FPI’s Federation of south Abidjan, posed three major conditions before the participation of his party to the legislative elections. The first is the unconditional release of Laurent Gbagbo. "When we say, free Gbagbo and others, we are not making a higher bid. But we feel it. Free them and everything else will follow,” Tapé Kipré said. The second requirement is the reshaping of the Independent Electoral Commission. The envoy of the former ruling party believes that the existing IEC is too unbalanced. The last condition is about the presidency of the IEC. For Mr. Kipré, this institution should be headed by a consensus.

Some of the LMP members to be released today

Le Nouveau Réveil - (...) According to our sources on Monday, October 31, a major decision could be taken to release some harmless ex-LMP prisoners. According to the same sources close to the IEC, there will be no postponement of the closing date and thus no change in the timetable if people of all parties decided to participate and all their candidates registered. Otherwise the IEC will consider a postponement of the closing date of the application. Therefore, if the closing date of the application is not October 31, the legislative elections will not be held on December 11.

Meeting of the FPI / Tapé Kipré said: ''Free Gbagbo and the rest will follow''

L'Intelligent d'Abidjan - The FPI (Ivorian Popular Front) on October 30, 2011, held a rally in Marcory and demanded the release of Laurent Gbagbo and all political prisoners of the post-electoral crisis. "When we say, free Gbagbo, there are people who say that we are asking too much. According to your result from the Golf Hotel, 46% of Ivorian are for Gbagbo. We have never seen a head of state prison in our country. Free Gbagbo and the rest will follow," Tapé Kipré, the national secretary in charge of elections said.

Legislative elections: Yamoussoukro aggrieved by the new administrative division

Fraternité Matin… The departmental delegate of the PDCI - RDA of Yamoussoukro has started a tour to explain the selection of the party’s candidates. Village leaders in Yamoussoukro yesterday asked Gnrangbé Kouacou Kouadio Jean, departmental delegate of the PDCI about the status of the political capital after the last administrative division. As matter of fact the leaders of Yamoussoukro completely disagree with the new status of the political capital of Cote d’Ivoire, since it is no longer the capital of region. But in addition, the governor of their District now escapes from their control and their sanctions since he is appointed by the president. As such, he has no accountability to the people of Yamoussoukro. This is all the more uncomfortable, even the vice-governor that some of their son held, go to make way for advisers who are also appointed by the Governor, chosen at the highest level without the opportunity for the people to decide. In this regard, Gnrangbé Jean explained that a petition has been filed at the highest level, so that this situation be reviewed, to reflect the aspirations of the people.

The reshaping of the Army / 6000 former FAFN affected absent from the military camps- the place where they are- gnashing of teeth in the ex-Fds

Le Mandat- The will of the president Alassane Ouattara to give Cote d’Ivoire a republican army may be an illusion if we are not careful. According to the Ouagadougou Political Agreement (APO) new duty stations have been found for some military. The gendarmes, military and police all of them ex-FDS have been asked to join their new duty stations, under pain of severe penalties. At the same time 6000 soldiers of the former FAFN who have been asked to join their duty station, to this day, are still missing in the camps.  According to some sources these soldiers came at the end of each month in Abidjan to collect their salaries and went back to their former rebel zones.

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