Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abidjan (Fides Service)- Everything has been postponed until tomorrow Saturday 16 April. Representatives of the government and the New Forces rebels meeting yesterday 14 April, in Bouake, in the north of Côte d'Ivoire failed to agree on how to disarm the diverse militia groups and form a unified army. “The meeting ended without agreement or statement” said a local source in Bouake now considered “capital” of the rebels who control the north and west of the country.
Although there is no news with regard to disarmament, the country’s political forces welcomed the decision taken by South African president Thabo Mbeki, mediator in the Ivorian crisis on behalf of the African Union, to allow all who signed the agreement in Pretoria on April 6 to stand for presidency. Mbeki’s decision allows Opposition leader Alassane Ouattara to run for presidency. Those who signed the agreement in Pretoria left the decision with regard candidature to the South African President. It was one of the most sensitive issues in the whole crisis. In fact, according to article 35 of Côte d'Ivoire’s Constitution only people with both parents born in the country may stand for presidency. Ouattara, not allowed to run in the elections in 2000 because he has only one parent born in the country, now stands for more than one million Ivorians of foreign origin who feel this measure is discriminatory.
“Mbeki’s decision was welcomed by the great majority of the Ivorian political parties but President Laurent Gbagbo has not yet made a statement” say Fides sources. “In fact he has started a series of debates on the question with the civil society at the end of which he will announce whether or not Mbeki’s decision is to be accepted. These debates in actual fact, involve only supporters of Gbagbo, that is the “young patriots”, the armed wing of his Party, the trade union, women’s organisations. This is an obvious dilatory move. In fact the debates will continue until 3 May” said Fides sources.
“In conclusion, we are faced with the usual wangling on the part of Ivorian politicians, to gain time and prolong a situation of stall which means economic profit for a few and serious difficulties for the great majority of the people in Ivory Coast” comment Fides sources. “Here in the north markets are empty because people have no money. Militia at road blocks continue to extort money from the people now at extremes. The only way out is a big push from the international community: it is time for the United Nations to promote serious sanctions ad personam against the actors of this crisis without end”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 15/4/2005 righe 38 parole 482)
