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Côte d’Ivoire |
POLITICS
The National Reconciliation Forum decided on by Laurent Gbagbo had given
rise to much hope.
But the absence of two of the country’s main leaders,
Gueï and Ouattara, causes concern
Is all the money spent on the Forum (approximately a billion CFA francs); is all the effort and all the hope — for nothing? It’s tempting to say «yes», considering the absence from the Forum of former Prime Minister, Mr Alassane Dramane Ouattara (known as «Ado»), the Rally of the Republican (RDR)’s leader; and General Robert Gueï, leader of the Union for Peace and Democracy in Côte d’Ivoire (UDPCI).
In Côte d’Ivoire’s political calendar, 13 November had been designated: «Day of the Four Main Leaders». Unfortunately, two of them shone by their absence, thus given rise to uncertainties. Ivoiriens were furious, and expressed their dissatisfaction and their contempt. By refusing the invitation to participate in the Forum, the two men failed in their duty, by putting their own interests above those of the nation.
More than any other personalities, «Ado» and General Gueï, are regarded as the main people responsible for the socio-political tension prevailing in Côte d’Ivoire for more than ten years, which led to the 24 December 1999 coup d’etat. President Laurent Gbagbo attached great importance to this Forum, which was intended, through its discussions, to unite the Nation. Paraphrasing words from the Bible during the 9 October opening ceremony, the President implored: «Just say only one word so that Côte d’Ivoire is healed!»
Many problems
From 19 October-13 November, Ivoiriens from various political parties, trade unions, employers, institutions, witnesses, ambassadors, etc, spoke from the podium at the Forum. The sessions were chaired by Ambassador Elimane Seydou Diarra, prime minister during the transition government. Each delegate spoke from the heart, identifying many past or present problems which could have caused the social unrest. People recalled Houphouet-Boigny’s so-called «false plots» which never really existed; the Alassane Ouattara «Affair»; nationalist ideology; unauthorised immigration; land ownership; bringing politics into the schools and into religion; Muslim frustration; regional disparities; the North-South divide; the Muslim-Christian conflict; the failure to bring about true multipartyism and democracy; the struggle to seize and maintain power, etc.
Speakers recalled the 24 December 1999 coup d’etat and the chaotic military transition period which followed, with its many stories of extortion and human rights failures, arbitrary arrests and imprisonment, assassinations, torture, humiliations, plundering, flight from danger, rape, etc. And also the disastrous elections marked by candidates being unjustly and arbitrarily eliminated from running for Office, in particular PDCI members (the former ruling party) and «Ado»s RDR. Hundreds of people died during the election period. Delegates recalled the discovery of the mass grave at Yopougon in the suburbs of Abidjan, where 57 corpses were discovered. Officially, 303 people died during the violence, 65 disappeared and 1,546 were injured, especially RDR members, foreigners and Muslims.
But for many orators, among Côte d’Ivoire’s main problems is first and foremost, Alassane Ouattara, a man whose true nationality is uncertain. Since he burst on Côte d’Ivoire’s political scene in 1990, he’s done nothing else except create problems. Then comes General Gueï who, by perpetrating the coup d’etat in December 1999 and especially when trying to hang onto power after losing the October 2000 presidential elections, brought the country to the brink of disaster. The General constitutes a very real threat, all the more so since he’s gone to his own village of Gouessesso with a score of strongly armed soldiers.
Ivoiriens are awaiting some kind of explanation from «Ado» and Gueï. Curiously, it was these two gentlemen who set their own conditions and preconditions for attending the Forum. «Ado» demanded his «rehabilitation», i.e. the recognition of his nationality and the re-establishment of all his civic and political rights; Gueï demanded that his residence in Abidjan which had been ransacked after his fall from power, should be set to rights, and that he should receive full recognition of his position as a former Head of State.
When Laurent Gbagbo spoke on 13 November, he said that all these claims and counter claims (whether true or false) must end. especially, «Ado»s. The President said: «I’m not a judge. Since I took my Oath of Office on 26 October 2000, I swore never to interfere in the course of justice. Alassane Ouattara’s problems concern the courts. Moreover, the Constitution, in its Article 35, has already provided an answer to Alassane Ouattara’s problems. The Article states: “People of anther nationality cannot be a presidential candidate”. It’s shocking that somebody who was a high-ranking civil servant in another country, should offer himself as Côte d’Ivoire’s President».
Concerns and hopes
For President Gbagbo, the situation is clear. «Let’s not be afraid to call a spade a spade. Article 35 is for Alassane Ouattara. His problem is solved. He can’t be a candidate in Côte d’Ivoire, for I’ve no intention of changing the Constitution. It has just been voted for by 86.53% of the people, who, by electing me, require me to respect this Constitution».
For many, war’s already been declared! Alassane Ouattara says he’s going to continue the fight in the same way as his RDR, which wants to continue the fight until Ouattara’s civic and political rights are recognised. Act One: The RDR decided to withdraw all its representatives from the Economic and Social Council, and to suspend its participation in the Forum. The RDR‘s leaders say: «We don’t want a pretence at reconciliation», adding that Gbagbo will fall,just like Bédié and Guéï!
When will that happen? We’ll know anytime between now and 10 December, the Forum’s official closing date. There is room for hope, however, as Laurent Gbagbo has left the doors open for negotiations: «I’ve got my hand outstretched towards the RDR. They must be part of Côte d’Ivoire’s national reconciliation». The President says he’s already done everything possible to prove his good faith: He’s restored the pensions of former government officials (including Ouattara as a former Prime Minister); he’s sent a delegation of traditional chiefs to Gabon, to persuade «Ado» to come in out of the cold. The Forum’s Chairperson, has made a number of visits to Libreville and Paris. «How could I do otherwise?» he wonders.
Danger signals also come from the Ivoirien Popular Front (FPI —the party in office) radicals. They are calling for an end to all negotiations with Houphouët-Boigny’s former prime minister. They say: «Without Ouattara on the scene, Côte d’Ivoire can progress. If he’s not prepared to contribute to the nation’s “refoundation”, then he can take a running jump at himself! We’re going ahead!». They say they’re ready to prevent any subversion. As for Laurent Gbagbo, his dearest wish is that all should board the train of progress, because the era of coups d’etat has ended. «If they want to make a coup d’etat, they can do it, but they should know they’ll never be able to govern. The people are on the qui vive».
The difficulty is, that donor nations and organisations are waiting for Côte d’Ivoire to achieve national reconciliation. If the Ouattara business is not sorted out, the socio-political tension will persist, and it’s «good-bye» to any co-operation. The radicals say they’re ready for any eventuality in the event of Côte d’Ivoire being stifled by its «supporters».
Author’s update – General Gueï and A. Ouattara eventually decided to take part in the Forum. On 26 November, General Gueï addressed the Forum, explaining the reasons for the various decisions he had taken. He asked Côte d’Ivoire’s citizens to forgive him for all the mistakes made while he was in power. On 1 December, A. Ouattara spoke about the controversy over his nationality and called for fresh elections. The Forum is scheduled to end on 17 December. It remains to be seen if the social and political tensions within Côte d’Ivoire have in any way lessened.
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