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East/Subsaharan Africa
Progress in Ivorian talks
2003-03-09
Discussions in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, have resulted in an agreement to form a new government of reconciliation by 14 March. The breakthrough is a positive step but two key portfolios remain unallocated.
Ministries of Looting and Pillaging.
The rebels have ceded their demand for the defence and interior ministries but, despite this, no-one could agree on who should have them.
I'll take defense, Alaska Paul gets interior, and between the two of us we'll clean the varmints out.
Instead, a national security council has been set up, comprising of 15 representatives from all sides. It is proposed that rebels, politicians and members of the Ivorian security forces will jointly run the affairs of these ministries. That is, until they agree nominations for the posts by consensus. Unfortunately, such nominations are the very things that they have been unable to agree on for over five weeks.
Sounds like a recipe for bodies in the streets. Steve, that's actually a good idea. Maybe they should hire people from outside the country to run those two ministries...
The allocation of other ministries has yet to be announced. And although those meeting in Accra have agreed to forming a government, there remains one key obstacle to their success — the Ivorian President, Laurent Gbagbo has insisted on having the final say over the composition of a new government. If he does not like the proposals, he might reject them.
Especially if it means his head.
Well, he is the one who's supposed to be in charge. And he was elected...
Meanwhile, the talks have been further overshadowed by fresh fighting in Ivory Coast. On Friday night the rebels claim to have been attacked by government forces in the town of Bongolo. And, on Saturday, the French troops monitoring the ceasefire in western Ivory Coast say that they have also come under attack in several key locations. So far, two French soldiers have been injured by the so called armed elements.
Any of them surrender?
Posted by:Steve White

#1  Thx Fred. I can't speak for Paul, but I'd be happy to work for expenses and a small fee. I want some paramilitary CIA guys for personal security, and I'd want a brigade-sized unit (can mix US, Aussie, Brit, Canadian, Spanish, German, Dane, all okay with me) to crack a few heads and get started on training a real, professional Ivorian army. Air cover could be done by National Guard units with A-10s; be good training for them.

Now, where's Paul and what's his wish list? :-)
Posted by: Steve White   2003-03-09 14:55:00  

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