Poll on 7 august - Ivorian President

As elections approach in Côte d’Ivoire, the President Laurent Gbagbo visited to his South African counterpart in Cape Town.


This visit took place as all the Ivorian are waiting for the peace back by free and fair elections. We remember that the agreements signed in Pretoria in 2003 and the strong implication of the South African President Mr. Thabo Mbeki.

Two main points where on the agenda: the assessment of agreement of Ouagadougou signed on March 4, 2007 and additional agreement and the general elections of 2008. The both Ivorian and South African President notes the advanced of the national process of reconciliation. The difficulties block all the process. As concerning the elections the Ivorian President said: “The ideal is that the elections must be organized before the 7 August. We must celebrate the elections with a new President”. Côte d’Ivoire celebrates his independence the 7 August.

The President Thabo Mbeki said: “we will continue to support the national process”. It is strength message to all the international community. South Africa will sit in Security Council in April. Thabo Mbeki asserted that South Africa will “support Côte d’Ivoire until in the Security Council”. The comity of evaluation of Ouagadougou agreement will meet on Friday to take stock of the situation. Laurent Gbagbo’s visit will continue until Friday.

The postponed of the elections is undisputable. Mr. Mambé Beugré, the President of the Commission électorale Indépendante (CEI), the independent electoral commission doesn’t move away this option. As concerning him, the commission can demand the organization of the elections after June. The setting up of the electoral list and the public hearings are not achieved. We notice that the political Headquarters’ are prepared themselves for the electoral competitions.