Political meetings permitted

Cote d’Ivoire’s transitional authorities on Tuesday issued a statement allowing political parties to resume gatherings. The statement, signed by the president of the ruling Comite national de Salut public (CNSP), General Robert Guei, said the authorisation rescinded a previous communique on 22 February which banned such meetings until a new order was in place. Tuesday’s statement noted that the dates for a constitutional referendum and elections had now been announced and hence the ban was lifted. The statement added that “in order to better manage the period up to the [July] referendum”, leaders of political parties who wish to travel outside the country must first obtain authorisation from the CNSP.