COTE D'IVOIRE: POLITICAL REACTIONS TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABIDJAN 001005 SIPDIS SIPDIS KINSHASA PASS TO BRAZZAVILLE, EUCOM PLEASE PASS TO POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV IV SUBJECT: COTE D'IVOIRE: POLITICAL REACTIONS TO GOVERNMENT'S RESIGNATION REF: ABIDJAN 997 Classified By: Economic Officer Erfana Dar for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) ¶1. (C) Reactions to the resignation: Minister of Cooperation and African Integration Albert Mabry Toikeuse told the Ambassador in a private meeting yesterday that Prime Minister Banny did not tell his ministers before he announced their resignation on September 7 (reftel). New Forces spokesman Sidiki Konate told the Ambassador yesterday that the New Forces are in stand-by mode and they do not object in principle to the formation of a new government but are waiting to see what the PM will propose. ¶2. (U) The G-7 released a communiqu, in today's paper in which they categorically rejected formation of a new government. The communiqu, is divided into two parts: one part responding to the humanitarian crisis and the other, to the government's resignation. With regard to the humanitarian crisis, the G-7 calls for the international community to provide all necessary assistance for the treatment of this crisis, and demands an "international and independent inquiry to establish the responsibilities and take the exemplary sanctions." With regard to the government resignation, the communiqu, responds strongly, stating "the G-7 condemns the Head of State and the Prime Minister's willingness to exploit in a cynic manner the trauma and the sufferings of the Ivorian in order to settle political problems." Both the New Forces in their communiqu, yesterday and the G-7 today objected to the fact that Prime Minister Banny submitted his resignation to President Gbagbo, who did not appoint him. ¶3. (C) Comment: Prime Minister Banny's failure to consult with his ministers before announcing their resignation is all the more bizarre because he walked straight out of a cabinet meeting to announce it. All too often he has created more problems for himself than he already has by trying to do too many things on his own. The New Forces and opposition, on the other hand, by sitting aside with their arms folded waiting for the Prime Minister to come to them, are missing an opportunity to influence the shaping of the new government. Whether Prime Minster Banny was technically appointed by the President or the international community is far less important than where this country is headed in the days and weeks to come. End comment. Hooks