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