LA COTE D’IVOIRE ON FIRE AND …

Alassane Ouattara

By Abayomi Azikiwe

Thousands of troops in the military forces of the Ivory Coast defied orders and rebelled against the national government of President Alassane Ouattara. The troops were reportedly angry over the deplorable conditions they are living under inside the country.

Since the eruption of violence, the security establishment leaders have been terminated from their positions by the government.  General Soumaila Bakayoko, the army leader; Gervais Kouakou Kouassi, the superior commander of the National Gendarmerie; and Bredou M’Bia, director-general of the National Police, were relieved of their duties by the president’s office.

Military leader General Soumaila Bakayoko – the previous head of a 2002-2011 rebel army, who obviously had fallen out of favor with his troops, was replaced by his deputy, General Sekou Toure. Gervais Kouakou Kouassi, superior commander of the National Gendarmerie, and Director General of the National Police Bredou M’Bia were also replaced by their seconds in command.

These decisions came soon after the resignation of Daniel Kablan Duncan, the prime minister, which prompted the dissolution of the government. These measures had been anticipated as a result of the elections held in late 2016 where Ouattara was declared the winner.

Nonetheless, Duncan was re-appointed as Vice-President on January 10. It is believed that this move was made to ensure his positioning as a successor to Ouattara after 2020 when he is slated to end his term of office.

Duncan is a close ally of Ouattara who said: “This is a person of experience, a great servant of the state, who has demonstrated his exceptional personal and professional qualities in all the high functions he has occupied.”

From the political capital of Abidjan to Bouake and other cities, army personnel took over barracks, blocked roads and held governmental officials hostage in lieu of a commitment to address their concerns.

Reports of unrest within the military began in Bouake on the morning of Friday January 6 when soldiers began to fire rocket-launchers. The unrest quickly spread to the cities of Man, Daloa, Daoukro, Odienne and Korhogo. By the following day soldiers had taken control of the military headquarters in Abidjan.

Later in the evening of January 7, President Ouattara took to the airwaves of national television announcing that a deal had been reached. He said to the public: “I confirm that I have agreed to take into account the demands of the soldiers over bonuses and better working conditions.”

Ouattara was out of the country when the rebellion erupted attending an inauguration ceremony in neighboring Ghana for the installation of the newly-elected President Nana Akufo-Addo. This was the second time in three years that the army has protested violently over the failure of the government to pay adequate salaries and provide quality housing for themselves and their families.

Nonetheless, by January 10 there was still conflicting reports over whether the situation had been adequately resolved to the satisfaction of the discontented soldiers. The promised bonuses remained unpaid and hostility towards the government was still considerably high.

Background to the Crisis

Many of the mutinous troops were the former rebels that were utilized in the French-backed Operation Unicorn that toppled the previous President Laurent Gbagbo under the guise of a United Nations peace mission on April 11, 2011. Gbagbo defied the dictates of France and the United States saying that the disagreements over the elections should be resolved internally within Ivory Coast.

The bonuses in question were promised to rebel soldiers in 2011 as an incentive for their participation in the coup against the Gbagbo government. French paratroopers stormed the Gbagbo’s residence arresting him, members of his government and family. He was later transported against his will to the Netherlands where he is under the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In addition, the former First Lady Simone Gbagbo, a political figure in her own right, is currently imprisoned inside Ivory Coast. Mrs. Gbagbo was prosecuted in a highly politicized trial in 2015 for a number of alleged offenses including distributing arms to those who engaged in violent actions against opponents of President Gbagbo. She was given a twenty year sentence.

Later in August 2016 she faced a second trial over charges of human rights violations. Her attorneys argued that there was no concrete evidence to implicate her in the purported crimes that were committed.

During the proceedings in October 2016, her defense lawyer Rodrigue Dadje emphasized that: “The prosecutor has witnesses that are not credible. They’re able to testify what they have seen but cannot prove any links towards Mrs. Gbagbo. Otherwise we will have a whole day of witnesses telling stories, but you will clearly see that there is no link with Mrs. Gbagbo.”

A spokesman for the mutinous soldiers claimed that they had been promised over $19,000 (U.S.) in 2011. The funds were supposed to have been paid on January 9 as part of the settlement to end the mutiny which was negotiated between the soldiers and Defense Minister Alain-Richard Donwahi.

The payment of the funds would cost the Ivorian government the equivalence of hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars. Defense Minister Donwahi has subsequently denied promising to pay this amount in funds and claims instead that there would be what he described as “mission bonuses” handed over to the soldiers.

Donwahi told the international press that it was the negotiators for the disgruntled troops that requested a delay in the bonus payments, a claim that the soldiers emphatically deny. “There’s a timetable that was made with their leaders. Their leaders know what we are doing,” Donwahi told Reuters. “We were ready. They themselves told us to wait.” (Jan. 10)

Imperialism and the Role of the ICC

The situation in Ivory Coast is a clear indication of the links between the imperialist states which have intervened in African affairs and the ICC. Deposed President Gbagbo was a leading figure in the political and trade union opposition to the neo-colonial regime in Ivory Coast for many years having been imprisoned and forced into exile under the regime of the first French-allied President Felix Houphouet- Boigny.

President Gbagbo came to power in 2000 after he was declared the winner in an election. The military junta leader Robert Guei then controlling Ivory Coast was toppled by a mass uprising. The Ivorian Popular Front took control of the government and maintained authority until the disputed election in 2010.

Gbagbo accused the opposition led by Ouattara of engaging in massive fraud in nine provinces in 2010. However, the former colonial power of France and their allies within the regional Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) declared Ouattara as the winner.

Later the Ivorian Constitutional Council examined the results and decided that Gbagbo was the victor. The president refused to step down under enormous pressure from ECOWAS and France. His forced removal by French paratroopers coincided with the imperialist war efforts against the governments of Col. Muammar Gaddafi of Libya and President Bashar al-Assad of Syria.

Since 2011, three African states have withdrawn from the ICC. These governments are Gambia, Burundi and the South Africa. The African Union (AU) during its 50^th anniversary commemoration of the founding of its predecessor, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), held extensive discussions on the problems associated with the ICC and its approach to continental affairs.

The ICC has been pre-occupied with investigations and prosecutions of African heads-of-state and non-governmental actors. President Gbagbo was the first sitting leader to be arrested and transported to the Netherlands to stand trial at the ICC.

At present the incumbent President of Gambia, Yahya Jammeh, is under pressure from ECOWAS to relinquish power in the aftermath of an election in which he subsequently declared was marked by irregularities. If the electoral dispute in Gambia is not resolved through negotiations there is the possibility of yet another military intervention in West Africa.

The original source of this article is Global Research

Editorial

FREE SHS

Several organisations including IMANI have expressed doubt about the Akufo-Addo government’s ability to implement its free Senior High School programme.

We can understand the caution being exercised by these organisations because of the fairly poor financial state in which Ghana finds itself.

However, we disagree with them because countries with far less natural endowments have managed to implement free universal access to education at all levels.

As a fact, Cuba has far less resources than Ghana, which has amongst others, gold, bauxite, iron ore, gas, oil, virgin forest, rivers and a population of close to 27 million people.

The Akufo-Addo administration came to power on the wings of promises it made and the people have a right to demand that those promises are kept.

Happily, Nana Akufo-Addo insists that the promises will be kept.

Trump Attacks Palestine

Donald Trump

By Stephen Lendman

Trump has a blind spot when it comes to China, Iran and long-suffering Palestinians, apparently bent on continuing hostile policies – not a good thing. There’s no good ending to this scenario if it persists.

He warned Palestinians against suing Israel in the International Criminal Court (ICC) or International Court of Justice (ICJ) – threatening severe steps, including cutting off aid, closing PLO offices in Washington, even restoring the organization to terrorist group status, contemptuous of their fundamental rights, one-sidedly supporting Israeli state terror.

He’s using the power of his presidency to cow Palestinians into submission, making a mockery of claiming he aims to achieve “the ultimate deal,” unattainable for half a century – Israeli/Palestinian peace at last.

His message to Palestinians was sent by phone through the US consulate, not the White House or State Department.

He signed an executive order to execute a congressional resolution drafted during Obama’s tenure. In 2015, a clause was added to foreign aid legislation – cutting off US aid if the PLO or dominant Fatah faction sues Israel in an international tribunal.

According to an unnamed Palestinian source, “(d)espite that resolution by Congress, the Palestinian leaders were counting on petitioning the court as a means of halting the settlements.”

“But the messages arriving from Washington in recent days made clear that any such step by the Palestinians would lead to a severe American reaction, so much so that some talked about returning the PLO to the list of terrorist organizations.”

“The American threat is significant.” It shows Palestinians have no friends in Washington, Trump the latest example of one-sided executive support for Israel – along with the entire senate and nearly all House members. The power of Israel and its key US lobby AIPAC can’t be underestimated, representing pure evil.

Despite decades of Israeli high crimes, Palestinians largely refrained from seeking justice in international tribunals. In April 2012, the ICC rejected the PA’s request to investigate Israeli war crimes during its December 2008/January 2009 Cast Lead aggression – on the bogus pretext of claiming only “recognized states can join the court.”

Palestinian statehood is recognized by over 140 nations. On November 15, 1988, the Palestine National Council (PNC) adopted Francis Boyle’s Memorandum of Law. It “proclaimed the existence of the new independent state of Palestine.”

A de facto UN member as an observer state, it lacks de jure status because of Abbas won’t seek it – easily gotten if sought. It satisfies all essential membership criteria.

In July 2004, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled Israel’s Separation Wall illegal – saying its West Bank route and associated gate and permit system violated Israel’s obligations under international law.

 It ordered completed sections dismantled, and “all legislative and regulatory acts relating thereto” repealed or rendered “ineffective forthwith.”

It also mandated reparations for the “requisition and destruction of homes, businesses, and agricultural holdings (and) return (of) land, orchards, olive groves, and other immovable property seized.”

It obligated member states to reject illegal construction and demand Israel comply with international law.

Most nations ignored the ruling, notably America and EU ones. Israel continues committing high crimes with impunity because the world community won’t hold it accountable.

On Wednesday, Palestinians got more bad news. Netanyahu announced preliminary steps to establish a new Israeli settlement, the first one in over two decades – on stolen Palestinian land, he didn’t explain.

He pledged unlimited East Jerusalem settlement construction, along with escalated expansion of West Bank ones, approving over 6,000 new housing units this year so far, many more to come.

NPP Tema East accuses Ishmael Ashitey

Ishmael Ashitey

By Austin Brako-Powers |

The Tema East branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the party’s Greater Accra Regional Chairman, Ishmael Ashitey of attempting to impose his relative on them as the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE).

The constituency party executives at a press conference in Tema Monday said they would resist every attempt to make Ben Ashitey the next MCE.

Nene Ofoi Tei who spoke to the media on behalf of the executives said they are reliably informed that the Regional Chairman and some persons are pressurising President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to appoint Mr Ashitey.

“It is a lie our MP [Daniel Kwatei Titus-Glover] does not have a hand in this organisation,” he said.

But in a sharp rebuttal, the Greater Accra Regional Minister-designate said he had no knowledge about what he was being accused of.

“Those who met are some of the Tema East executives and they are complaining that I am imposing a relative of mine as the DCE. In actual fact, I am not the appointing authority,” Mr Ashitey told Israel Laryea host of Joy FM’s Midday news programme Monday.

According to him, it is only the President who has the power to decide who the next MMDCE should be.

He claimed he has no relation with Ben Ashitey, saying they both come from different parts of the region.

“It is the MP who is rather a relative of mine,” he said.

He said at least 14 people applied for the MCE position, adding “I don’t know where this is coming from.”

Mr Ashitey blame the enmity between Ben Ashitey and the Tema East MP following the parliamentary primary for the behaviour of the executives.

Free SHS: Akufo-Addo Must Proceed With Caution – Ablakwa

Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

By Kwame Acheampong

Former deputy education minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has urged the Akufo-Addo government to proceed with caution as it prepares to roll out its free education policy.

He said although the foundation to the policy was laid by the former Mahama administration, several factors must be considered before the policy is implemented.

“… From what I know working at the ministry and the many surveys by experts I have cited, there is the need to proceed with caution. There are number of reports which I can make reference to in buttressing this point. There are these reports that are critical about how we go about these interventions.

“There is a report that says we should begin to target rather than this wholistic approach in providing free education. I think this is the time to look at those studies dispassionately and objectively,  because I think it is a very sensible argument,” the North Tongu MP told Nii Arday on the Morning Starr Monday.

He nonetheless said the numerous secondary school buildings constructed by the NDC administrataton will facilitate the implementation of the policy.

The comment comes on the back of the assurance by the President that his free secondary school education policy will begin in September this year.

“By free SHS, we mean that, in addition to tuition which is already free, there will be no admission fees, no library fees, no science centre fees, no computer lab fees, no examination fees, no utility fees; there will be free textbooks, free boarding and free meals, and day students will get a meal at school for free.

“Free SHS will also cover agricultural, vocational and technical institutions at the high school level. I also want to state clearly again that we have a well-thought out plan that involves the building of new public Senior High Schools and cluster public Senior High Schools, ” the president noted at the 60th anniversary celebration of the Okuapeman School in Akropong Akuapem.

Source: StarrFMonline.com

We’ll Ensure Unfettered Media Freedom - Mustapha Hamid

Mustapha Hamid

By Godwill Arthur-Mensah

Mr. Mustapha Abdul Hamid, the Minister-designate for Information, on Thursday assured that government would respect the country’s Constitution which granted unfettered freedom to the media to do their work without any form of censorship.

He said the Ministry would commit part of the Media Development Fund in building the capacity of media practitioners in the country.

‘‘My vision for the Ministry of Information is to position it as a lead government organisation in providing accurate, timeous and truthful information to the citizenry, and also to collect feedbacks for informing government’s decisions on the governance processes, ’he said.

Mr. Hamid, a former spokesperson for President Nana Akufo-Addo, gave the assurance when he appeared before Parliament’s Appointments Committee, on Thursday, for vetting,

He argued that local media practitioners should not pay accreditation before covering public events, however, he justified that foreign journalists should pay a facilitation fee of GHc50.00 to support the Ministry in preparing their documents which aided their movements to certain parts of the country.

Addressing the challenges facing the only State wire-service, the Ghana News Agency, the nominee assured that on assumption of office as a minister, he would assess the condition of the Agency and provide the necessary support.

With regard to the relevance of the Ministry he was nominated to head in view of the proliferation of information through various social media platforms, he answered in the affirmative and explained that it would enable them to provide accurate information to the citizenry on government’s programmes and also receive feedbacks.

He observed that the Information Services Department which was the bedrock of the Ministry was faced with resource-constraints and assured that his outfit would re-equip the Department to deliver on its mandate because he believed in the capacity of the personnel there.

With regard to the question of completing the final phase of the digital migration, he gave the assurance that the Ministry would collaborate with other sister ministries to meet the September deadline for digital migration.

Commenting on the current state of the Ghana Publishing Company and measures the Ministry would put in place to reinstate it, Mr. Hamid said the Company was not performing as expected because it lacked the necessary equipment to be competitive on the market, therefore, the Ministry would re-tool it and appeal to other ministries to give them contracts in order to bring them back on their feet.

GNA

1,393 pupils sit for 2017 private BECE

Dr Prempeh, Education Minister

By Jonas Nyabor

1,393 pupils across the country are taking part in this year’s private Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

The number includes candidates who are rewriting the examination because they did not perform well in specific subjects, as well as those desirous to further their education, and are therefore writing the examination for the first time.

This is the third time the private exams is being held after it was first held in 2015.

The Public relations Officer of WAEC, Agnes Teye Cudjoe, in an interview with Citi News, urged the candidates to observe all examination rules and avoid engaging in malpractices.

She said, “We’ll urge all of them to adhere to the rules and to do whatever it is that is expected of them. They should be sure that if they adhere to all the rules they can pass the examination.”

She added that, “we have 1,393 candidates and they are writing in 10 centres. One centre in each of the regional capital. I went to our centre at Asare-Manako hall at cantonments and the exams started on time at 9:00am. They were taking English language paper and they will be writing the Religious and Moral Education paper in the afternoon.”

“So far everything is going on well. The exams will end on Friday with ICT. We will say that it is a good thing that we have done because it is giving candidates who are also a bit older an opportunity to write the examination and further their education.”

‘Why private BECE became necessary’

The Ghana Education Service (GES) revealed after a research that only about 60 percent of students who write the BECE make it into Senior High Schools.

The others, it said, either go into informal vocational or technical training or learn a trade or just give up education entirely.

There have been calls by various analysts and educational organizations to revise the educational system to give students at the basic education a second opportunity to write their examination if they fail the first time, as it is for the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

The call was accepted and that led to the introduction of the private BECE in 2015.