COTE D'IVOIRE: STUDENT UNION STAGES STREET PROTESTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABIDJAN 000428 SIPDIS SIPDIS KINSHASA PASS TO BRAZZAVILLE E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/26/2016 TAGS: PGOV ASEC PREL IV SUBJECT: COTE D'IVOIRE: STUDENT UNION STAGES STREET PROTESTS Classified By: POL/ECON Jim Wojtasiewicz, reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). ¶1. (SBU) The Cote D'Ivoire Federation of University and High School Students (FESCI) staged street demonstrations in Abidjan April 25 to demand an end to the current teachers strike. The government-owned but generally factual newspaper Fraternite Matin estimated the number of protesters at 1500. The initial intention of the demonstrations was to force the closing of all private colleges. However, after finishing that, FESCI went on to force all private primary and secondary schools to close as well. The demonstrators also attacked a few cars including one belonging to the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (ONUCI). Overnight there was some looting of shops near the Sports Palace where youth groups often hold political rallies. Some schools remained closed April 26. ¶2. (SBU) Teachers at the public university and at all public primary and secondary schools have been on strike for several weeks to demand higher pay. (Teacher salaries have not risen since 1994. Primary school teachers make an average of the equivalent of USD 300 per month, secondary school teachers USD 434, and university lecturers USD 646. Meanwhile, the per capita income went up from the equivalent of USD 622 in 1994 to USD 890 in 2005.) FESCI was protesting the fact that while the public schools were closed because of the strike, private schools remained open. FESCI also accuses teachers from the public university of continuing to teach at private colleges. Accordingly, FESCI has now seen to it that all schools were closed, at least temporarily. According to AFP, FESCI Secretary General Serge Koffi issued an ultimatum April 25 that if the strike does not end within four days, "all and sundry will see violence in all forms." ¶3. (SBU) Prime Minister Banny appealed to the teachers April 25 (from Washington, where he is on an official visit) to suspend their strike so that the school year could be finished. However, the teachers reportedly decided to continue the strike for at least another week. ¶4. (C) Comment. FESCI has long been known for its belligerence and violence, and Koffi has ambitions to challenge Charles Ble Goude (who was indeed his predecessor as FESCI Secretary General) as the leader of the pro-Gbagbo street militias. Thus, the teachers' strike probably was only a pretext for FESCI to flex its muscles. If Defense and Security Forces continue to stand aside, these groups may well widen their protests and lengthen their list of demands. End Comment. Hooks