tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62714132011-04-22T02:25:51.862ZRCI - Ivory Coast BlogNews Updates, Comments and Information for mainly COTE D'IVOIRE, IVORY COAST, ABIDJAN :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: Contact me at vcbtemp-blog@yahoo.com or Fax (via USA) +1-419-730-9758VCBnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1051100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1112476820925160922005-04-02T21:04:00.001Z2005-04-04T13:42:37.156ZThe British Embassy in Abidjan Closed Till Further Notice. Why?Because of security concerns, as of 1st April, the British Embassy in Abidjan is closed pending a review of the situation in June 2005. Click here for the official F&CO statement and the F&CO Travel Advice page. (The site is deadly slow, even with ADSL.)Inter alia it says: "This decision is mainly due to the uncertain security VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1111788538849434592005-03-25T21:59:00.000Z2005-03-26T02:03:14.336ZChaos in Ivory Coast 2004Le Monde newspaper still has on its site a slide show of photos of the events of November. (Photo commentary is in French.)Click here: Chaos in Ivory Coast 2004N.B. You must have the Macromedia FLASH player installed on your computer for this link to work when you click on it.If need be, you can install the Flash player by clicking here: ShockwaveFlash PlayerVCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1111006907309382702005-03-16T23:01:00.000Z2005-03-25T22:51:38.300Z Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) and the national colours(Click on map twice to enlarge)VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1111013158329195482005-03-16T22:44:00.000Z2005-03-18T02:08:09.836ZAbidjan Reported to be Second Most Dangerous City in the WorldWe all know about statistics and lying statistics, things being true and not true at the same time. I am not sure that the sort of facts and figures reported are borne out in real terms so far as we as expatriates are concerned. I say this mindful of the personal safety warnings just below this post.I quote accounts of this Mercer VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1111175390930408192005-03-15T13:25:00.000Z2005-03-18T19:51:02.866ZPhone Numbers for PoliceRemember, if you have a robbery or other incident, it helps enormously if you mention that you will pay "transport". (Same applies to CIE and SODECI utilities.) They are better motivated. :-)Direction générale (ex-Sûreté /downtown HQ - visas, etc.) : 20.22.08.22Préfecture de police (Commissariat central) : 20.21.00.22 / 20.32.00.22Gendarmerie (Helpful sometimes if police VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1110849479231287612005-03-15T01:14:00.000Z2005-03-18T19:54:50.096ZSecurity Preoccupations in AbidjanThe 4000 odd prisoners let out of the Abidjan jail late last year – whether deliberately or accidentally – are adding to the city’s security problems.With the killing of expatriates by bandits in Abidjan and Grand Bassam it is well for everyone still in Ivory Coast to be aware of the increased dangers and to be extremely cautious. In some cases the bandits are inVCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1110759319043617422005-03-14T00:13:00.000Z2005-03-14T00:16:49.226ZIvorian Phone Charges Reduced Yet AgainNo doubt because of the competition from IP phone businesses, CI-Telcom international rates have dropped yet again. (Compare the Feb 2004 charges mentioned earlier.)To ring the USA, Canada or France by landline phone now costs 150F per minute.To CEDEAO countries it now costs 249F per minute.To cell phones from a landline, it costs 124F – cheaper than cell VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1110721308382597342005-03-13T13:41:00.000Z2005-03-15T02:27:16.636ZNot War, Not Peace – But Going Backwards FastPresident Laurent Gbagbo has spoken of the recent pro-régime militia attack against the ex-rebels at Logoualé in the West as “a rising fever” (“poussée de fièvre”) and he has predicted other incidents like it. The French forces have linked the incident there to Blé Goudé of the Young Patriots. When the peacekeeping “impartial forces” arrested the VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1110729224424007692005-03-12T22:33:00.000Z2005-03-14T17:32:09.466Z It is these militias supported financially by the Presidenceand others related to the FPI that are one of the biggest threatsin terms of security and also peace in the country,as recent events in Logoualé in the West have shown.In fact, the different embassy advisories two years agotelling people to leave the country, were in large part motivatedby concerns about these groups and the VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1110666733884642252005-03-12T22:32:00.000Z2005-03-12T22:59:30.913Z The regime and the ruling party has been exploiting various youth militiasdenounced by the United Nations, like the GPP in Abidjanthat has battled the police and attacked merchants and transporters.The regime says they are unarmed. Yes, your eyes must deceive you.VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1110849219501305092005-01-07T13:07:00.000Z2005-03-15T01:22:47.353ZLessons in Nation-building from Ivory CoastI collaborated in the documenting of this article published by the Institute for Global Engagement on January 7, 2005.Read the article:www.globalengage.com/issues/2005/01/ivorycoast.htmVCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1110726792491535372004-11-12T22:45:00.000Z2005-03-13T15:18:38.513Z The airport hall at times looked like an army bivouac with camp beds.Some two thousand were also put up at the French 43rd BIMA base nearby.Many were without food for several daysand even some UN personnel spent sleepness nights,leaning against the walls.VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1110667487577745452004-11-12T22:44:00.000Z2005-03-13T15:17:27.766Z With French troops securing the bridges, the airport and its access route,over several troubled days some 9000 expatriates fled or were evacuated, often by military and charter flights, including UN and embassy personnel. The British Embassy and several others closed.VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1110722632991879822004-11-12T14:03:00.000Z2005-03-13T15:11:09.986Z Stores and offices in Yamoussoukro, the Ivorian political capital,were also looted and destroyed by the mobs called out into the streetsby hate sessions on the national TV and radio, as happened in Abidjan.Afterwards the empty wide boulevards were carpeted with paper.VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1110731538085174792004-11-11T16:32:00.000Z2005-03-13T16:40:13.120Z Apart from taking all they could carry, the young peoplestripped and destroyed vehicles. Not all led to rejoicing.An enthusiastic Patriot in the street learned by cell phonehe was now out of work as the shop he previously managedat the Plateau (downtown) had been looted and burned.This burning of shops will be disastrous for the economyas for superstitious reasons, Ivorians will refuseto VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1110723102602086542004-11-11T14:11:00.000Z2005-03-13T16:41:30.420Z The looting of homes and stores was thorough, often nothing being left.Some expatriates were not even allowed to keep their passports-- which were later being sold in the streets for $US400 for forging purposes.In one case, an Ivorian woman demonstrator near her homesaw her easily distinguishable television set passing heron a young man's head.VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1110725753165159642004-11-09T10:49:00.000Z2005-03-13T15:08:08.470Z Others had to be evacuated by French military helicopter.Some people had had to take refuge on hotel roofs.Others were picked up from gardens or school grounds.Some European diplomats were threatened and even injured.VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1110667706916595122004-11-09T10:48:00.000Z2005-03-13T15:02:19.790Z Some expatriates in danger had to be evacuated by bargeunder French protection.Once the thugs were on the loose, sometimes accompanied by policeor soliders going from door to door looking for "French",they were not particular about their targets,even attacking Mauritians and some Ivorian homes.VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1110664092976985792004-11-06T21:48:00.000Z2005-03-13T14:18:24.663Z Among French-related institutions and companies targetted,the Collège Mermoz offering first-class schooling to French and Ivorian childrenwas attacked and destroyed by a pro-régime mob.What is said to be Mrs Gbagbo's school, also in Cocody, and nearthe destroyed opposition RDR headquarters, was fortunately not attacked.VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1110667092918389202004-11-06T21:45:00.000Z2005-03-13T13:55:47.126Z French and other expatriate residences were attacked and ransacked,with several cases of rape reported. Some of the demonstrators were naked, others armed.On the roads pro-régime Young Patriots manned road blocks,checking taxis and other vehicles for Whites,often accompanied by members of the armed forces.VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1110725006065898462004-11-06T21:43:00.000Z2005-03-13T16:27:22.106Z But a violent reaction in the streets of Abidjan and Yamoussoukro was prompt,leading many to believe that it was already planned and coordinated.President Gbagbo even questioned whether the deaths had occurred,and regretted what was depicted as a French punitive action(even though it was later supported by the USA and the UN)without an enquiry first being held into the bombing incident at VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1110663847884188692004-11-06T21:42:00.000Z2005-03-13T16:24:17.516Z Some may have considered my October opinion of things too apocalyptic.But during a Government army violation of the cease-fire agreed with the rebel forces,supervised by the French and UNOCI, and after a bombing of a French military baseon 6th November, 2004, in Bouaké, incurring 10 deaths,no doubt by the Présidence's mercenary pilots,the French President ordered that the Ivorian attack aircraftVCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1097067698976310452004-10-06T13:47:00.000Z2004-10-06T13:01:38.976ZDisarmament? Uncertain Days Ahead
Only one of the Accra III agreement laws passed -- which were the precondition for the disarmament.
Now the FPI (at least La Présidente) is making the disarmament the precondition for modification of article 35 of the constitution.
And the UN is hoping the ex-rebels have enough confidence in President Gbagbo to disarm without preconditions.
Who's dreaming?
VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1096462985703516492004-09-29T13:30:00.000Z2004-09-29T13:21:08.120ZDisarmament Yes or No?
As everybody knows, after agreeing to everything in Acrra, Pres. Gbagbo and his FPI have reneged on almost all points that were linked to the disarmament. The President has even refused to address the issues before the Nation and Simone may well be calling the tune much as Nancy Reagan did once in the States. They just consult a pastor instead of a medium.
Too many peopleVCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1091707305504669302004-08-05T11:51:00.000Z2004-08-05T12:01:45.506ZPhone Book on line
The phone book for Abidjan and also the other towns of Ivory Coast is available on line.
The lastest printed phone book was dated 2001-2002.
The site:
http://www.abc.ci
is up to date and allows you to put in the surname of the person.
It will then return his/her address and the number.
For the interior of the country, you can input either the name of the town or the VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1091668740599197352004-08-05T01:05:00.000Z2004-08-07T01:25:21.160ZSubscribers to TELECEL, Beware!
Telecel used to pride itself on its service and there was a time when their network seemed to serve their clients better than did that of Orange/ex-Ivoiris.
Since July, apparently without putting out any detailed information to their customers (at least I did not receive any), Telecel has changed the way they handle their general subscribers as opposed to companyVCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1091539843567171512004-08-03T13:23:00.000Z2004-08-03T13:33:15.190ZLet's Keep Things in Perspective
Vehicle searches in Ivory Coast may be incovenient, but they're a fact of life.
They may be hard to tolerate -- but now similar searches are having to be made in America where Police are also standing around with automatic or semi-automatic weapons rarely seen before. The following article shows that vehicle searches have become a reality Stateside, and not just VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1091468076428853392004-08-02T17:32:00.000Z2004-08-02T17:34:36.430ZPEACE, RECONCILIATION AND REUNIFICATION
After the blustering, grandstanding and procrastination, maybe we are now, finally, really on the way following the Accra III talks and agreement of July 29 and 30.
The African Heads of State present and Kofi Annan tried to make it clear they took matters seriously, effectively dismissing the FPI President’s objections as whitewash. They acted similarly VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1091467965759804272004-08-02T17:27:00.000Z2004-08-02T17:32:45.760ZMinimum Salaries to be Paid for House Help in R.C.I.
The following is reprinted in French for those who need this information. Though it dates from 1999, I do not think the details have changed.
To the figures given should be added the transport allowance unless the employee lives on your premises: about 7.300 F per month minimum. (You may prefer to give a more realistic amount but only for eachVCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1087057867016460552004-06-12T16:21:00.000Z2004-06-12T16:31:07.016ZThe Bad and the Good
Quite a bit of bad and little good. During the events of Monday, some 40 or so French were injured, and others no doubt got the shock of their life as the pro-Gbagbo thugs attacked their cars, with in most cases police looking on but doing nothing. The same thing is reported with 7 police present during the “patriot” attack on the French Embassy by about 200 young people, VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1085702295279559152004-05-27T23:23:00.000Z2004-05-27T23:58:15.280ZWhat Else is New?
All is quiet during the current political stalemate, with Prime Minister Seydou Diarra indicating to President Gbagbo that he can only call together what was the Marcoussis Government, and that only when the problems are resolved. And they involve the Parties and their problems with the President, who has now named 3 ministers from his own Party to replace those ministers Mr VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1085695158608196662004-05-27T21:55:00.000Z2004-05-27T22:01:24.020ZA Gmail Problem
Anyone with a new Google Gmail account and using ZoneAlarm firewall at the same time will need to know that ZoneAlarm Cookie Control has to be off when logging in and checking mail, otherwise it won’t work. This is because of the targeted ads. This Webmail account looks good, particularly as it offers 1 gigabyte of storage and has superb search functions! I am not yet replacing VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1085694891474839212004-05-27T21:52:00.000Z2004-05-27T21:54:51.473ZADSL Now Even Cheaper
If possible, it really is worth getting rid of your dial-up service which may be costing you almost 100.000F a month, particularly when you take account of the local phone charges taxed on a per minute basis by Citelcom and how painfully slow the dial-up services are for Web surfing or downloading.
Africaonline and Aviso are both offering 128 Kbps and 256 Kbps services at VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1085191872594129052004-05-22T02:06:00.000Z2004-05-22T02:31:22.926ZThe Prime Minister Accuses Gbagbo of Deceiving the Nation
According to accounts in the press Friday, the Prime Minister, Seydou Diarra, has effectively accused President Gbagbo of deceiving the Nation during his televised address on Tuesday, and in his decree. Diarra, who has always said things the way they are, said that in spite of Gbagbo’s statement on television, the sacking of the ministersVCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1085142832812492262004-05-21T12:32:00.000Z2004-05-21T12:33:52.813ZAir Chance Has Competition – New Paris Flights
Ivoire Airways, with rented Airbus A310s, will have its inaugural flight on 27th May for 350.000F return, then the rate will be 439.000F return till end July, with flights projected for Monday to Thursday. The result of some lateral thinking by former Air Afrique staff, the baggage allowance will be 40 kg. Later they are hoping to continue from VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1085103986555138742004-05-21T01:42:00.000Z2004-05-21T01:46:26.556ZThings Are Stalled – Still, and More So
After too much of a hiatus here I am again, but what can we say. During the past couple of months nothing much has changed. Things are as stalled as ever. The political posturing is continuing, everybody seeking their advantage. The prophets of war have been proved wrong up till the present, though Armed Forces Chief of Staff Doué has said that talk of warVCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1080225732395120202004-03-25T14:38:00.000Z2004-03-25T15:59:17.110ZRDR and New Forces React - Revised Comment
The ex-rebel New Forces have now decided to withdraw from the Reconciliation Government of Prime Minister Seydou Diarra as a result of the bloodshed. It was decided earlier that they would not march in Abidjan, so that a march in favour of the National Reconciliation agreements would not be misconstrued. The NF spokesman told BBC, "We cannot be part of VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1080225280837766972004-03-25T14:32:00.000Z2004-03-25T16:26:59.810ZThe Attempted March by the Marcoussistes
A sad day in Abidjan with some 30 marchers dead, according to the RDR spokesman, and several injured, shot as they apparently tried to gather for a peaceful march in favour of the full implementation by President Gbagbo of the peace and national reconciliation process in accord with the Linas-Marcoussis and Accra II agreements.
The official figure was VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1079882138519265952004-03-21T15:12:00.000Z2004-03-23T18:43:21.496ZCoups and Rumours of Coups - Comment Revised
What the PDCI-RDA opposition leader and former President Bédié has done to President Gbagbo is a blow and it is hard for Gbagbo to disengage without losing face. If he and the pro-Gbagbo lackeys and “patriot” thugs overreact, Gbagbo could well lose the next elections as, up to the present, he has benefited from a lot of even Baoulé support from the VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1079403931691127762004-03-16T02:18:00.000Z2004-03-16T02:28:47.483ZEverything is Stalled
Briefly, the former party in power, the PDCI-RDA, has suspended for the time being its participation in the government of national reconciliation. Some of the ministers named as a result of the Marcoussis agreements have been prevented from naming their own Director Generals in departments and domains under their control. The FPI ministers do not have the same problem.
VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1079399249506172622004-03-16T01:05:00.000Z2004-03-16T01:11:02.343ZThe Police Checks are Back
The limit of the Ivorian administrative memory having showed itself over the years to be about three weeks, the police checks on the roads, with also the gendarmes often said to have been emptying the pockets of traders, are now back once again. The Minister asked that the unauthorised checks cease. They did for a while. Now they are back as a result of last week’s VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1079398476437614862004-03-15T22:54:00.000Z2004-03-16T01:08:32.840ZCheaper Internet Dial-Up Charges and ADSL with Aviso
In theory throughout the country there is one charge for this, 45F per minute plus 18% VAT. However, to benefit from this reduced rate, you must dial a number for your ISP that CI-Telcom recognises, otherwise you will be charged the local/national call rate of 59F per minute.
For AVISO there is only one authorised number for this cheaper rate:VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1079391221361412112004-03-15T22:23:00.000Z2004-03-15T22:56:56.560ZSorry about that!
Someone has just written saying, "What's happening with your blog page? Have you really found nothing to write about for a whole month?"
And he's not the first to comment.
And thanks also to those who proof-read the pages for me for spelling errors. It's good to know you care.
Well, I hadn't realized that a month had gone by since my last comment. And I have been doing so VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1077063986019397582004-02-18T00:23:00.000Z2004-02-20T12:13:35.793ZPresidential Elections in Oct. 2005 - Or Before
The question being asked everywhere is whether the Presidential election can be held in October 2005. In fact it may be sooner rather than later. With President Gbagbo’s electoral campaigning already in full swing, as anyone can see, and ALL the significant opposition (PDCI, RDR and MPCI) in complete disarray and completely unprepared for a nationalVCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1077047953097385072004-02-17T19:57:00.000Z2004-02-17T20:01:51.810ZBôrô d’enjaillement is Back as a Sport at Yop and Adjamé-Nord
Some things are hard to understand and others are hard to translate (ask the SIL specialists). This is particularly true of Bôrô d’enjaillement (in the Abidjan street language nouchi, meaning “bag of joy/pleasure”) which is once again becoming something of a craze for the school pupils who want to impress their friends.
This dangerous VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1077023410985915302004-02-17T13:00:00.000Z2004-02-17T13:12:49.200ZStudent Problem at Cocody
Some cars were burned and opthers damaged at Cocody yesterday with the proplems at Mermoz and the the Riviera 2 student residences. More of the same is expected for today and except for thed adventuresome, it is best to avoid the area if possible.
The story, in brief, is apparently as follows. A fellow later discovered at Blokosso stole cell phones at Cocody. The VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1076965712790283192004-02-16T21:07:00.000Z2004-02-18T00:24:56.483ZThings Are Improving (Revised comment)
Even if there is still something of a political tango going on concerning the disarmament process, things seem to be improving all the time in the country. The road-blocks have mainly been removed and heavy arms are no longer an issue. Defence Minister René Amani has spoken in no uncertain terms concerning the “disarmament” in the south in terms of the VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1076364755234110652004-02-09T22:07:00.000Z2004-02-09T22:15:02.826ZFurther on Obtaining a Compulsory Ivorian Driver's Licence
The following was contributed to the Abidlink group by Doug and Paula Simrell, Business Facilitators, Mission Baptiste Méridionale, Abidjan.
"The actual cost of the Drivers License is 8,000cfa but you will be told
to pay as much as 100,000cfa or as little maybe as 30,000cfa. Our
assistant went to the office in Vridi and was told to pay VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1076193502401251302004-02-07T22:22:00.000Z2004-02-07T22:41:53.606ZA Case of Chronic Diarrhoea
On the recommendation of the US Ambassador, who just this week made a very mediagenic trip to San Pedro on the western coast of Ivory Coast, the US State Dept on Thursday 5th Feb. has again asked US nationals to avoid travel to Ivory Coast because of the insecurity [sic!] in the country, "strongly recommending" that any trip to RCI be postponed. Meanwhile, the Statue VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1076162780117474262004-02-07T13:41:00.000Z2004-02-07T14:08:44.576ZCORA Comstar
Not only is the Abidjan cell phone company Cora dead in the water since October. It has now sunk, according to the newspaper reports. So there is no point calling from the States or elsewhere an Ivorian number of the form 225-03xxxxxx.
Whether it's a question of justice or injustice, it's a sad story for some 60.000 subscribers and all her 200 workers. Comstar was the first cell VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1076117469392437412004-02-07T01:25:00.000Z2004-02-07T01:58:23.640ZUN Peace-Keeping Troops – Not Yet!
As expected, the USA, who foots the best part of the bill for such operations, on 4th Feb. opposed the sending of a 6420 body UN peace-keeping contingent to Ivory Coast recommended by Kofi Annan to the UN Security Council in preparation for the elections and to help, obviously, with the disarmament process. The US troops are too busy disarming the Iraqis, and VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1076116843160045222004-02-07T01:19:00.000Z2004-02-07T01:23:06.686ZA Removable Feast
President Gbagbo’s proclamation of the end of the war is now to take place in Bouaké on February 16, according to a Presidential Palace communiqué.VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1076116562334204832004-02-07T01:13:00.000Z2004-02-07T01:20:30.170ZWater Shortages Should Cease End February
The DG of SODECI has blamed these cuts of supply of water to various suburbs of Abidjan on the fact that for 18 years equipment has not been renewed. He did not suggest there may have been a management problem. In any case, he says the current installations cannot cope with the population move to Abidjan from the north and made the strange remark that theVCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1076116165218603902004-02-07T01:00:00.000Z2004-02-07T01:11:48.890ZGeeks Put the Unsavvy on Alert: Learn or Log Off
That was The NY Times article on Feb. 5. URL: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/05/technology/05VIRU.html?ex=1
077026519&ei=1&en=74d85a7c43910ee6
(To read the article, the unsavvy need to know that all of that must be pasted in browser address line. Just clicking will not do the trick – just as it often does a lot of harm.)
The guts of the articleVCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1075680114501657192004-02-02T00:00:00.000Z2004-02-02T00:04:11.356ZPresident Gbagbo in Paris This Week
On his way to Pretoria, the French Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dominique de Villepin, arrived in Abidjan today 1st February to discuss the progress made in implementing the Linas-Marcoussis agreements.
France is somewhat pleased with the progress made over the past few weeks as Gbagbo’s rabid anti-French Patriots (« à volonté »), comfortably lodged in the VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1075680072702599682004-02-01T23:56:00.000Z2004-02-02T00:03:29.560ZThe UN Will Not be Organising the 2005 Ivorian Elections
In spite of the wishes of some political parties (e.g. PDCI), the unpronounceable Albert Tévoédjrè, President of the UN Mission in Ivory Coast and thus the special representative of Kofi Annan, has said it clearly on Thursday of this past week: it is not the UN’s role to organise the elections. They will help the Electoral Commission and VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1075499624076981872004-01-30T21:48:00.000Z2004-01-30T21:55:58.123ZThe Vignal Report on President Gbagbo
Renaud Vignal was French Ambassador during the coup attempt of 19th Sept. 2002. Whereas Bédié of the PDCI fled to the protection of the Canadian Ambassador, Alassane Ouattara, leader of the RDR, narrowly escaped a gendarmerie attack on his mansion in Cocody-Blokosso by fleeing to the German Ambassador’s residence next door – which had no German military VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1075498736923790632004-01-30T21:32:00.000Z2004-01-30T21:41:10.390ZAmbassadors Move On
The departure of the dynamic American Ambassador has been announced as has the Ivorian government’s approval of one David Coates as British Ambassador to replace François Gordon who will be leaving Ivory Coast in July.VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1075400389901923452004-01-29T10:34:00.000Z2004-01-29T18:22:02.060ZNew Telephone Charges to Apply February 1 2004
Dearer for Abidjan, cheaper for overseas calls. Your local phone charges will go up since, at the beginning of 2003, local charges were by 3 minutes and half-price the night and at weekends. Even the off-peak advantage has been eaten away AND it does not apply to calls when using the Internet.
1. Uniform charge for Abidjan and throughout the whole ofVCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1075119955911366082004-01-26T12:24:00.000Z2004-01-26T12:28:03.640ZNouveaux tarifs du Téléphone fixe
Le Patriote - 1/26/2004 1:19:34 AM
Côte d’Ivoire Télécom poursuit le rééquilibrage de ses tarifs. Après les modifications introduites au mois de septembre dernier, l’opérateur s’apprête à appliquer de nouveaux tarifs à compter du 1er février prochain. Un tarif unique de 50 FCFA HT(59 CFA TTC) la minute (heures pleines) sera ainsi appliqué à l’ensemble des VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1075119655954646122004-01-26T12:17:00.000Z2004-01-26T12:23:03.716ZProblem with Ivoir-Net
I've got a problem with my ISP at the moment. They assure me that it only affects people with Windows 98. :-) Great consolation. Meanwhile I'm working in a cyber but on this PC the A: drive is not working. So I'll post again later. Have a good week. VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1074865365429766042004-01-23T13:41:00.000Z2004-01-23T13:44:48.746ZThe Marcoussis Anniversary
Tomorrow 24th January represents the anniversary of the Linas-Marcoussis Agreements. Even if there has been a lot of blustering, of procrastination, of tango dance steps and of face-saving manœuvres since then, Marcoussis prevented the Liberian style civil war many feared – in spite of the incredulity many Westerners expressed about having a reconciliation government VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1074864996100856432004-01-23T13:34:00.000Z2004-01-23T13:39:50.483ZRFI Journalist Killer gets 17 Years
Killings by the police, gendarmerie or soldiers are almost never punished here. But this murder of a French journalist incensed Chirac and perhaps all the international community, though the pro-Gbagbo press tried to justify it in certain ways, for example, suggesting Jean Hélène was a rebel supporter in East Africa or that he may have forecast the end of the VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1074735422927623872004-01-22T01:31:00.000Z2004-01-22T01:39:04.263ZShooting in Cocody-Riviera on Night 20th/21st January
The sanitized explanation of this is that it was not a revolt but the expression of an outbreak of joy on the part of some of the 4000 pro-FPI recruits which Gbagbo said he wanted to keep in the army -- in spite of the Yamossoukro agreement between the FANCI and the Forces Nouvelles, and the Marcoussis provision, foreseeing their VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1074734994686908162004-01-22T01:27:00.000Z2004-01-22T01:31:56.123ZThe Papal Nunciate Mgr Mario Zenari Speaks Clearly to Gbagbo
There was none of the too common Protestant style kowtowing before the President or the party in power during the Papal Nunciate’s New Year’s Wishes speech delivered as “head” of the diplomatic corps. Zenari laid it on the line and pointed out to Gbagbo that apart from God there is an impartial and severe judge who will judge the delaysVCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1074646882015930702004-01-21T00:58:00.000Z2004-01-21T01:03:22.436ZThe RTI Appointments Again
The discussion is still going on, but President Gbagbo has just said on the occasion of the formal presentation of New Year’s greetings that “it is a banal incident”, putting it into much the perspective I gave earlier. However, ex-rebel Soro, Minister of Communication, has not come out of this all power and glory. He has had to recognize that the appointment was VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1074511668529049162004-01-19T11:25:00.000Z2004-01-19T11:29:46.450ZObligatory Ivorian Driver’s Licence Fee
Further to Todd Aebischer’s comments about his problems in this regard, Gina Zein of the Canadian Embassy has provided the following helpful information.
"About getting Ivorian driver’s licence: We have always indicated to Canadians or Australians that over 90 days stay (when on vacation, tourist visa can be used as a proof) they would have to get an VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1074511459552932992004-01-19T11:23:00.000Z2004-01-19T11:26:17.513ZHIV Testing
You or your staff may want/need to have a HIV test for some reason. The laboratories charge between 20.000F and 25.000F and give the result back in the afternoon of the same day.
The blood bank is free if you offer as a donor, and a week later they give a print-out showing your status for HIV and hepatitis B, etc. On the second donation, they give a donor card with photo.
If you just VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1074303915771213112004-01-17T01:42:00.000Z2004-01-17T01:49:49.546ZTarget Bouaké
On 15th the Prime Minister Seydou Diarra said to the press, “We’ll go together to Bouaké” - which is the main city in ex-rebel territory and, in size, the second city of Ivory Coast. That is obviously still the goal for a government ministers’ meeting in the near future. And out of these current Ministers’ meetings also came the decision to start the next stage of the anti-polio VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1074303632596790472004-01-17T01:36:00.000Z2004-01-17T01:42:27.030ZThe Fuss about the RTI Director
The television station is installing revolving doors for its director. He comes and goes, comes back again, and then goes again. At least that is the story of Georges Aboké whose removal is now creating much discussion and some concern among Ivorians simply because it is such a media event. It’s really a bit of a non-event except as politicking. And perhaps in the VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1074216355064828892004-01-16T01:20:00.000Z2004-01-16T01:27:48.340ZReconciliation Government – All NF Ministers Present 14th January
Wednesday all New Forces ex-rebel ministers of the government were present at the Council meeting – even if, for reasons that are not clear, Guillaume Soro left early “for another appointment” (would you believe?). Today they were to meet again and apart from the bill establishing the ONI Mark II (Office National d’Identification),VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1074132904732376872004-01-15T02:09:00.000Z2004-01-15T02:16:56.890ZThe Harmattan is here
Those readers waiting for the Ivorian elections in 2005 or whenever, and sitting the time out with some nostalgia in Europe, America or elsewhere, will not be surprised to know that it is Harmattan time here in Abidjan. The dust brought down by the breezes from the desert is hanging over the city. Other countries have their mistral or sirocco or whatever, but even though it VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1074132473982918482004-01-15T01:49:00.000Z2004-01-15T02:09:46.216ZThe Powerplay IB-Soro Continues
Support among the New Forces (ex-rebels) for the leadership of IB (still under a cloud in France) and Soro is divided and IB is trying to consolidate his position. IB, who may well have been responsible for the planning and running of the rebellion from his villa in Ouagadougou, has virtually said that the leadership of Soro is responsible for the looting of the VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1074045924613836022004-01-14T01:51:00.000Z2004-01-14T02:07:15.483ZNiet to Multiple Referenda
Almost everyone seems to be lined up against President Gbagbo on the question of multiple referenda. The Marcoussis agreement seems to foresee just one referendum concerning eligibility as President. Multiple referenda are likely to muddy the water - particularly with the pro-FPI patriots-cum-looters still in the pay of who know who. Also they would make the logistics VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073955982298687272004-01-13T01:00:00.000Z2004-01-13T01:06:43.543ZThe Political Situation is Looking Better
The situation is looking better every day. Yesterday Gbagbo and Soro talked together for about an hour. A bit like old times. And the peace sounds from Soro afterwards were positive. If there is some concern among the ex-rebels, it is what will happen when the pro-FPI pro-Gbagbo young army men recruited after Sept 19 2002 are demobilised. Won't there be aVCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073872745000394662004-01-12T01:49:00.000Z2004-01-12T01:59:25.296ZUN Peace-Keeping Force for RCI
This week the Sect.-General presented to the Security Council his report recommending, inter alia, according to the Fraternité Matin, a UN force of about 6200 people to work along side the French Licorne force and incorporating the current CEDEAO and UN forces. These troops will have a police keeping and judicial role of sorts in the Forces Nouvelles territory and VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073745749464052102004-01-10T14:35:00.000Z2004-01-10T14:42:46.233ZBad Bus Accident in Plateau
A bad bus accident in the Plateau on Thursday at the main post office below the Presidence produced 160 injured (some described as critical) when it rammed a tree at speed. I came on the scene soon after. It was impressive and sad to see so many people on the ground under the sun. I thought that if it had been a plane, or if it had happened in the USA or Europe, it VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073731367176756092004-01-10T10:40:00.000Z2004-01-10T10:43:06.246ZVehicle Registration – Foreign Registered Vehicles
There may be readers driving around Abidjan with a vehicle registered in Liberia or Ghana. All such vehicles must be registered correctly before end January or they will be impounded by the police. Anyone wishing to see the newspaper article giving the details and requirements can contact me by e-mail.VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073650769696183932004-01-09T12:16:00.000Z2004-01-09T12:19:49.840ZCarte de résident for Ivory Coast
As we all know, the Carte de séjour requirement was suspended a year ago while they worked out the details. At the Council of Ministers this week, the National Reconciliation Government decided to replace the former Carte de séjour with a Carte de résident and how to stop the intimidation of foreigner in the country. No details of cost have yet been given. At VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073610739434759802004-01-09T01:09:00.000Z2004-01-09T12:21:43.433ZInternational Crisis Group Report on Ivory Coast and Liberia
This report just issued concludes that Blaise Compaoré was no doubt aware of the plans by the Ivorians in his country to carry out the attempted coup d’Etat which led into the "rebellion". Charles Taylor was directly implicated in the creation of two of the rebels groups in the West of RCI, these comprising mainly Liberians and VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073609013336802312004-01-09T00:42:00.000Z2004-01-09T01:34:25.290ZThe Sick US Dollar
The US dollar is continuing its decline and is expected by the economists to bottom at about 504FCFA ($1.30 to the euro). Thursday it was at 513F and the Pound Sterling was at 941F, with the euro at 655F.
And for those interested in trivia, thanks to the decline of the American dollar, the Ozzie dollar has climbed to 393FCFA.
The CNN currency conversion site is in the VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073608906392947682004-01-09T00:41:00.000Z2004-01-09T00:42:06.110Z05050505
Ce service d’appels gratuits sur répondeur ne semble plus marcher. Problème de réseau ? Je ne sais pas.
This Telecel free voice mail service does not seem to be working at the moment.VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073608834914596682004-01-09T00:37:00.000Z2004-01-09T00:40:54.643ZDialing in to Ivoirnet (or not doing so)
Ivoirnet had a short circuit on Thursday and were down to one modem. Hence it was very difficult to log into this ISP. If you are reading this, the problem is resolved, you are with another ISP, or you have had an answer to prayer and you were able to dial in after all.VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073608434387318942004-01-08T20:11:00.000Z2004-01-09T00:34:14.210ZCompuserve Mail Problem
Why people use this service or AOL as an ISP in Africa, I have no idea. But there are a couple of very frustrated missionaries able to send their emails with Compuserve at the moment but not receive. Can anyone help with a suggestion as to how to resolve the problem? Efforts made by friends contacting Compuserve in the USA have got nowhere.VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073439870898169482004-01-07T01:43:00.000Z2004-01-07T01:44:50.040ZEx-Rebels Back in Reconciliation Government Meetings
This is good news, showing an improvement in the situation. As of Tuesday 6th Jan. five of the ex-rebel (Forces Nouvelles) ministers were present at the reconciliation government executive meeting in the presence of the Prime Minister and President Gbagbo. It is hoped that the others will be there as further Marcoussis matters are discussed VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073439483914330352004-01-07T01:37:00.000Z2004-01-07T01:43:27.883ZFurther to the Question of Obligatory Ivorian Driver’s Licence
Todd A. writes to the Abidlink group:
We just attempted to get Connie's Ivorian License today. I got
mine in October of 2000, purchased the form for 5,000 FCFA, paid the
embassy's fee of $30.00 for certification of the license, paid the timbre and
certification at the police station, and then deposited the form at office
#18, Tour VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073341035781289832004-01-05T22:09:00.000Z2004-01-05T22:17:34.960ZMarket at the Plateau Cleared
The market traders knew it was coming but for most of them the Town Hall authorities have not made any alternative arrangements. Who wants to go to the old Carena site on the autoroute leading to Attécoubé? Who wants to go and buy there? If you bought your computer consumables and other things from the market at about 70% of the shop prices, you will have to track VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073340069675438662004-01-05T21:48:00.000Z2004-01-05T22:01:29.083ZMore about Ivorian Driver's Licences
Further to my early note about Ivorian Driver's Licences, Doug and Paula Simrell (Mission Baptiste Méridionale) have posted the following information to the Abidlink group. Obviously non-Americans will have to contact their appropriate embassy for the authentication of their current foreign licence.
You should ask for your former licence back at the time VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073263933596613992004-01-05T00:51:00.000Z2004-01-05T00:52:32.056ZFrench Peacekeeping Forces Now in Korhogo
After having moved into Bouaké on a permanent security basis (rather than sit outside the town) when the central bank there was raided, by 3rd January the French forces have settled into Korhogo, in theory to respond for the safety of the population and property. This must be a good thing and should contribute to reunification. It is encouraging that theyVCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073263861867068232004-01-05T00:48:00.000Z2004-01-05T00:51:20.340ZMessages vocaux GRATUITS avec TELECEL
Je reprends ici quelques renseignements déjà envoyés aux listes e-mail.
Pour faire des appels gratuits en message vocal avec TELECEL vers TELECEL, composez d’abord le 05050505, ensuite le numéro de votre correspondant.
Après le bip sonore, laissez le message sur leur répondeur (auquel l’utilisateur aura accès en composant le 123 ou 444) et racrochez VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073263618492036112004-01-05T00:45:00.000Z2004-01-05T00:48:56.890ZFREE TELECEL Voice Messages
To make free calls from TELECEL to TELECEL, dial 05050505 then enter the # of your friend. After the bip leave a voice message for their phone which they will access by dialing 123 or 444.
If you make an error dialing the number, you must start over or it will not work.
Calls are possible even if you have no units left on your card which seems to confirm what I VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073169855873971332004-01-03T22:42:00.000Z2004-01-04T00:18:31.160ZE-Mail 2 Cell Phone
Wherever you are, you send can an e-mail text message to any TELECEL phone in Ivory Coast from your regular e-mail program (Outlook, Eudora, Pegasus, Yahoo, Hotmail) by simply putting the person's Telecel number followed by sms.telecel.net, in the form 05xxxxxx@sms.telecel.net
You must use PLAIN TEXT (Texte brut) format (without attachments, obviously, but you can even FWD VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073169701324131462004-01-03T22:37:00.000Z2004-01-03T22:41:59.793ZTELECEL Phone 2 e-Mail
You are on the move and you do not have an internet connection at the moment. Or you want to send a small urgent e-mail. No problem. Send short emails anywhere in the world via your TELECEL phone for the cost of a local cell phone call.
Do it with you Telecel phone in this way:
Choose the "New SMS Message" or "New Text Message" option of your phone.
Put in the email VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073092438734209702004-01-03T01:04:00.000Z2004-01-03T01:14:17.173ZWhen the Watchmen Are the Robbers
A bit of a laugh. In September four French soldiers guarding the raided BCEAO bank in Bouaké apparently did what soldiers have done since time immemorial: they decided to get their share of the loot. One on guard is accused of having entered the bank and taken a bag will 38 million CFA (60.000 euros – and a lot more dollars than that!) which he then shared with VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073078318029142122004-01-02T21:17:00.000Z2004-01-02T21:19:19.496ZDIAL-UP INTERNET SERVICES
IVOIRNET offers unlimited Internet Access for just 10.000F per month.
The service is good as they work on the back of AFNET.
Most of the other service providers charge THREE times that per month, plus 18% tax.
Phone Ivornet 20324773 or 05849977 or drop in to their internet café cum office just across the road from the Canadian Embassy/Trade Center.
AVISO has a good dealVCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073078246412253612004-01-02T21:15:00.000Z2004-01-02T21:17:44.763ZNew ADSL Service
You are seeing the billboards all around the town. To sign up for this service on your phone line you must see your Telecom Commercial Centre. (There is an efficient woman at Cocody Telecom just handling this.) You must then choose an ADSL Internet Service Provider (ISP) as well.
This ADSL internet service may be of importance to some readers.
With on-line local phone charges VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073078089938226702004-01-02T21:11:00.000Z2004-01-02T21:15:08.326ZAFNET ADSL Services Blurb
Thanks to Stan Walker (C&MA) for sending me this AFNET text.
ADSL (Asymetric Digital Subscriber Line ) is a broadband technology that supports high speed communications over old telphone lines. Although higher speeds are possible, current offerings in the Ivory Coasts are limited to 128Kbps download and 64Kbps upload speeds.
To obtain ADSL, you need to acquire an VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073077776656634802004-01-02T21:05:00.000Z2004-01-04T00:16:38.050ZLa poudre aux yeux
TELECOM says they have dropped their rates. True. International calls are much cheaper because of the competition from the internet cafés using IP phoning. A call to the USA is now only about 640F per minute, to the UK is 620F /min. TTC. Local calls have dropped but the duration of a local call also dropped from 2 minutes to 1 minute! Since 1st September you local calls VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073058982663027362004-01-02T15:49:00.000Z2004-01-02T15:57:30.460ZPre-election Speeches
Well, they're off like Bush, Dean and the others in the States! Here preparing for the 2005 elections. Their New Year's speeches look like that, Bédié, Ouattara, Gbagbo. Here's waiting for the other contenders. It looks like the elections will indeed take place late next year. Who would have thought it possible? Getting the referenda done before that will be the main hitch, VCBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271413.post-1073005966642928302004-01-02T01:11:00.000Z2004-01-02T01:55:32.106ZEnquiry Concerning Rév. Makosso Camille
I have had an enquiry. Does anyone know of the Fédération Ivoirienne Evangélique or its President Rev. Makosso Camille? They supposedly have 120 pastors and 600 churches. Where are they hidden all those churches?VCBnoreply@blogger.com