FN URGE PM TO RESIGN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABIDJAN 000244

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/15/2019
TAGS: PGOV MARR KDEM IV
SUBJECT: FN URGE PM TO RESIGN

Classified By: PolEcon Chief Silvia Eiriz for reasons 1.4 (b/d)


1. (U) Summary. Forces Nouvelles (FN) delegates met in Bouake
April 12-13 and issued a communique on April 14 rejecting
accusations that they are responsible for stalling
implementation of the fourth supplementary agreement (Ouaga
IV) to the Ouagadougou Political Agreement (OPA). The
communique also called on Prime Minister Soro to resign to
avoid being a party to maneuvers by President Gbagbo's camp
to postpone elections in order to hold on to power. According
to the April 15 press, the Prime Minister's Spokesman said
the Prime Minister will not resign since he enjoys a good
working relationship with Gbagbo and still has the support of
the FN. End Summary.


FN Reject Charges of Blocking Process
--------------


2. (U) The general delegates of the FN met in Bouake April
12-13 and issued a communique on April 14 responding to FPI
charges that the FN are holding up implementation of Ouaga IV
by blocking: identification, transfer of power from the FN
zone commanders (comzones) to the prefects, and redeployment
of customs and tax agents as well as law enforcement. The
FN's statement noted that the identification process is
proceeding with approximately 80 percent of potential voters
already registered and that all political parties are
represented on the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI).
It pointed out that the Ministry of Interior was responsible
for canceling the March 4 ceremony to mark the transfer of
power from the comzones to the prefects. The statement went
on to say that on March 4 the Prime Minister launched unified
revenue collection in the areas of the country under FN
control and that it is up to the relevant Minister to take
the additional steps necessary. Regarding deployment of law
enforcement, the statement pointed out that Ouaga IV provides
that the Integrated Command Center (ICC) deploy mixed units
composed of security forces from both the FN and the
government. The statement further noted that Prime Minister
Soro as FN Secretary General froze FN security force
promotions in 2005 while these have continued to be awarded
by the government.


3. (U) The FN statement concluded by accusing President
Gbagbo's FPI party of obstructing credible elections because
they fear losing power. It urged Prime Minister Soro to
resign in order to avoid being complicit with such
"Machiavellian maneuvers." The statement urged Soro to
return to Bouake to lead the Ivoirian people's struggle for
the improvement of their daily lives.


4. (U) On April 10, Alain Lobognon, the Prime Minister's
Communications Advisor, issued a statement in response to an
article that appeared the same day in the government's
"Fraternite Matin" newspaper accusing the FN of blocking
Ouaga IV by insisting on the nomination of FN soldiers as
prefects and sub-prefects. Lobognon's statement said such
nominations were rejected by the FN when they were proposed
by President Gbagbo during negotiations with Prime Minister
Soro and the OPA Facilitator.

Soro Won't Resign
--------------


5. (U) According to the April 15 press, the Prime Minister's
spokesman, Meite Sindou, responded to the FN communique by
saying it expresses the will of the FN delegates, but not
that of the FN political directorate or the FN general staff.
Sindou reportedly noted that calls for the Prime Minister's
resignation have been made in the past both by President
Gbagbo's camp and the political opposition. According to
press articles, Sindou said Soro could resign if there were a
severe disagreement with the President or if the FN no longer
supported him since he was named Prime Minister as FN leader.
Sindou reportedly went on to say that Soro will not resign
since neither situation exists and that there is good
collaboration between Soro and Gbagbo.


6. (C) Comment. The FN have clearly decided that they can no
longer ignore accusations by the President's camp that they
are to blame for the stalling of Ouaga IV. However, the
communique by the FN delegates once again raises the question
whether Soro is really in control of or in tune with the FN
rank and file. The FN commuique can be seen as sending a
message to both Soro and Gbagbo. The message to the PM may
be that the FN are watching carefully what he does and expect
him to know where to draw the line in terms of cooperation
with the Gbagbo camp. The message to the President's camp
may be that if they force Soro to make too many concessions,
they may find themselves having to deal with someone else. A
power struggle on April 12 in Ferkessedougou between sector

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commander Inza Fofana and his deputy adds to concerns that
the FN may be imploding or fragmenting.

NESBITT