AFRICA/IVORY COAST - South African president Mbeki continues his work of mediation but some Ivorian parties seem not interested in peace

Abidjan (Fides Service)- “President Mbeki is doing a good job but I am not sure that the Ivorians parties will let him finish the task” a local Church source told Fides with the regard to South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki efforts to help solve the difficult crisis in Ivory Coast. “The media have accused him of being partial but I see his work as totally impartial, considering he has met all sides and listened to all voices” the sources told Fides.
Last week in the capital Yamoussoukro President Mbeki had a meeting with the government of Ivory Coast. “The three ministers representing the rebellion were absent. As an excuse they said they were stopped on the road between Yamoussoukro and Bouake rebel “capital” in the north. This was not an encouraging signal” the sources told Fides.
Mr Mbeki, acting on behalf of the African Union, has presented a five point road map on the basis of the 2003 peace agreement in France which stopped the fighting but left Ivory Coast still divided with the north under the New Forces rebels. The roadmap include elections, disarmament, climate for free political activity, interim government should resume its activity, and resuming of social services and administration all over the country.
In fact the absence of state administration in rebel controlled areas is a serious problem and the Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference had a meeting with the minister of education to discuss how to guarantee school examinations in rebel controlled areas. In the north schools are open but end of year exams are uncertain.
“This problem is symbolic of what is happening in this crisis which started in 2002” the source told Fides. “Politicians keep arguing while people face daily difficulties with a divided country”.
“The crisis must be solved in view of presidential elections scheduled for October. However the question of the requisite for candidacy, both parents or one parent born in Ivory Coast, has still to be settled, Parliament approved an amendment allowing candidates with one locally born parent to stand, President Laurent Gbagbo is for a referendum on the matter but despite the approval voiced by although the African Union many parties disagree,” the source told Fides. L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 17/1/2004 righe 48 parole 528)