COTE D'IVOIRE: STATUS OF PILOT ID PROGRAM

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABIDJAN 000532 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC KPKO IV SUBJECT: COTE D'IVOIRE: STATUS OF PILOT ID PROGRAM REF: A) ABIDJAN 523 B) ABIDJAN 515 C) ABIDJAN 500 D) ABIDJAN 495 ¶1. Summary: The second and third day of the pilot identification program ran smoothly in all seven sites both north and south. After the first day, pro-Gbagbo militias ceased their disruptive activities against the program in the south and the population appears to be gaining confidence in the procedure. However, the pace of the process remains painfully slow (averaging about 45 minutes to an hour per applicant). According to a United Nations report, on May 18, out of a total of 319 applicants, 190 received birth certificates, and 130 qualified for certificates of nationality. All certificates will be issued after a 48-hour waiting period. On that first day, there were only nine applicants in the government-controlled south. At all sites, many applicants were turned away because they had been born in a different city. In addition, many indviduals visited the sites just to learn more about the process. The pilot program is still scheduled to end on May 25. End summary. New Forces Territory: ¶2. On the first day, a total of 160 interviews were conducted and 30 individuals, all of whom were over the age of 18, were granted birth certificates and certificates of nationality. Interviews lasted an average of 40 minutes per person. New Forces (NF) leader Guillaume Soro and spokesman Sidiki Konate, who observed the interviews at Botro, welcomed the start of the identification process in rebel territories. Konate was quoted by the UN news agency, IRIN, as saying that "It is an immense joy for everyone...It is a strong sign that from now on, the serious business begins." IRIN also cited concerns by NF leaders in the rebel capital of Bouake over militia protests against the pilot program in Port Bouet in Abidjan (ref A). Break-down by city on May 18 City / # of Apps. / Birth Certs. / Nat. Certs. Botro 100 4 4 Bouna 60 35 35 Government Controlled South: ¶3. In the government-controlled south, a total of nine people were interviewed on the first day, four of whom were granted certificates of nationality. After the militia protests in Port Bouet on May 18, the process has proceeded without incident at all three sites. The Defense Attache who was on the scene in Port Bouet, reported all was calm and the total number of people waiting to be interviewed exceeded the number of people that could be processed in one day. Interviews in Port Bouet also took 45-minutes to one-hour. The increase in numbers on May 19 apparently reflects a growing confidence among the population in the south. Prime Minister Banny reported to the International Working Group on May 19, that he had attended the opening of the registration process in Meagui, a city located 350 km west of Abidjan near Soubre, on May 18. This opening ceremony was witnessed by several hundred people including Justice Minister Mamadou Kone. The Young Patriots also attended Banny's ceremony as non-violent "observers." Break-down by city on May 18 City / # of Apps. / Birth Certs. / Nat. Certs. Port Bouet 01 01 01 Meagui 02 02 0 Tiapoum 06 04 03 Zone of Confidence: ¶4. In the Zone of Confidence, a total of 150 people were interviewed, 87 of whom were granted certificates of nationality. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA),reports from Bangolo indicate that the registration process has continued without any disruption or interference. However, according to the United Nations, in Bangolo, 60 applicants were interviewed, 57 of whom were issued birth certificates, but apparently the teams did not issue any decisions on nationality certificates. Thus far we have received no explanation for this discrepancy. In Sandegue, 90 people were interviewed and 87 birth certificates were issued. All ABIDJAN 00000532 002 OF 002 87 people were found to be Ivoirian and issued certificates of nationality. Break-down by city City / # of Apps. / Birth Certs. / Nat. Certs. Bangolo 60 57 0 Sandegue 90 87 87 ¶5. Comment: The biggest problem with the pilot procedure is the painfully slow rate at which it is carried out. In addition, the ruling FPI party continues to float accusations of fraud, and there still seems to be much confusion on the part of the population over the need to report to cities of birth to be eligible. The pilot phase is still scheduled to end on May 25. Hooks