February 19, 2010

Friday’s news continued to be dominated by the political tension resulting from President Gbagbo’s decision to suspend the Independent Election Commission and to dismiss the Government. Dailies noted that consultations initiated by Ivorian Premier Soro in a bid to form a new cabinet are still in process. Sporadic demonstrations led by opposition groups throughout the country made the news as well. An ongoing political putsch in Niger and a panel organized by the US embassy in Abidjan on identity and culture were reported too. 

1. A week after the dissolution of the Independent Election Commission (CEI) and the Government, the political atmosphere seems to be at a standstill situation in spite of Prime Minister Soro Guillaume’s efforts to form a new inclusive cabinet involving the different political actors. A banner headline in Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) noted that the Ivorian Premier requested two additional days to finalize his consultations and set up the new management. The daily noted that the request was granted by President Gbagbo in the course of a meeting the two men had yesterday in Yamoussoukro.
   
   Still on the issue, Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) noted that the two-day extension aims at finding a compromise with the coalition of the opposition parties known as the RHDP. According to the daily, the new Government will not exceed 25 seats.
   
   With more on the topic, L’inter (an independent daily) noted that a series of scenarios has been elaborated by the President and the Prime Minister on the format of the future Government. Thus, the paper said, on the one hand, the cabinet could be a hybrid team with all the political parties or on the other hand, in case the RHDP remains adamant in its position, a Government composed of Ministers from civil society is in consideration, the paper underscored. 
   
   Addressing the same issue, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) noted that the French Ambassador in Cote d’Ivoire, Mr. Jean Marc Simon, met with former President and opposition leader Henri Konan Bedie. Discussions, the daily reported, focused on the political situation. “We are deeply concerned with the prevailing situation and we call for an inclusive Government likely to carry out its labor,” the French official was reported as saying. “France will not interfere with Ivorian domestic affairs,” he added, calling on all players to “maintain dialogue among the different parties”. 
2. As a result of the political turmoil, demonstrations are reported here and there nationwide. Soir Info (a privately owned daily) noted that people gathered yesterday in Bouake, Beoumi, Sakassou and other upcountry cities to protest against the recent decision of the Ivorian leader to suspend the Independent Election Commission and the Government. Demonstrators, the paper added, used barricades to block the major roads of the different cities and burned tires. Acts of vandalism were reported, the paper added. 
3. The US Embassy in Cote d’Ivoire hosted last Wednesday a roundtable on cultural identity. Providing details, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) noted that the program was organized by the Public Affairs Section. Ivorian novelist Flore Hazoume and Darryn Martin from the US Embassy were the two panelists. Participants, the paper indicated, exchanged ideas on cultural identity and its impact on identity. Putting forward her own experience, Mrs. Flore Hazoume noted that cultural identity embodies common ties shared by individuals of a community and is therefore of paramount importance. “Identity is not as important as cultural identity, she said. “One can change identities depending on one’s interest but one’s cultural identity remains.” On his part, Mr. Martin Darryn noted that education plays a key role in defining one’s identity and culture. The panel was in the framework of the yearly tribute to Black History leaders, the paper said. 
4. Finally, the situation in Niger where a military putsch ousted President Mamadou Tandja was reported in the local press. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) noted the then Nigerien leader was “arrested” by military elements yesterday while he was chairing a cabinet meeting. The coup is said to have been carried out by Commandant Adamou Harouna, a high-ranking officer of the Nigerien Army.