- Planning for the long-delayed presidential election in Côte d'Ivoire is finally becoming detailed, indicating Ivorian politicians this time are confident they will be held. International aid is sought to plan for security during the polls.
National authorities in Côte d'Ivoire, together with UN peacekeeping mission in the country said today they had begun planning the deployment of mixed units – made up of former rebels and government forces – to provide security during the presidential elections scheduled for November.
The head of the UN Police in Côte d'Ivoire, Pierre André Campiche, met with Ivorian Defence Minister Michel Amani N'Guessan and Interior Minister Désiré Tagro to discuss details of the joint operations and Ivorian requests for security support for the elections, the UN mission, known as UNOCI, said in a news release.
Prime Minister Guillaume Soro announced two weeks ago that presidential elections will be held on 29 November. The ballot had been repeatedly postponed after President Laurent Gbagbo's mandate expired in October 2005.
Mr Amani N'Guessan said that 500 members of the Defence and Security Forces had been redeployed thus far in Bouaké and 100 Armed Forces of the New Forces (FAFN) members had been redeployed to Abidjan.
According to the Ivorian government, more than six million nationals have already registered to vote, representing about 70 percent of those thought to be eligible.
Authorities claim all preparations for the 29 November presidential polls are going according to plan and that no for rescheduling will be necessary. While the former northern rebels still not are fully disarmed - a peace agreement condition for holding elections - government instead counts on international support for full security measures during the polls.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.