US deplores political impasse

The United States has expressed concern at the latest political developments in Cote d’Ivoire, and reminded Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo that he is responsible for peace in the West African country. "The United States government is deeply concerned by the current political impasse and calls on all parties and political movements to work together in the interest of the Ivorian people," the US government said on Thursday in a statement issued by its embassy. "Current political impasse" was an apparent reference to last week’s move by the Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire (PDCI), the country's oldest political formation, to suspend its participation in the national reconciliation government. The PDCI, which ruled the country from independence in 1960 to December 1999, accused Gbagbo of "underhand tactics" and sabotaging peace efforts. Its seven ministers have boycotted the last two cabinet meetings. The political stalemate is reminiscent of a similar situation that resulted late last year when rebel representatives also walked out of government. The rebels, who also accused Gbagbo of blocking peace efforts, returned early this year. At a cabinet meeting on Thursday, Gbagbo ordered a "total cordoning off of Abidjan by day and by night, by establishing security checkpoints wherever it may be possible". He said insecurity was on the rise in the economic capital, following the dismantling of checkpoints several weeks ago. Roadblocks and checkpoints flourished in Abidjan and across the country after the failed September 2002 coup d'etat. In Abidjan, the authorities dismantled the vast majority of the checkpoints late last year. At Thursday’s cabinet meeting, Gbagbo also banned all public demonstrations until 30 April. The PDCI and a number of other political parties that signed a January 2003 peace agreement had announced a public protest to denounce what they see as the malfunctioning of the government. The five-paragraph US statement called for the respect of rule of law and the right of assembly, along with an end to the impunity "enjoyed by some groups." Just two days before – on Tuesday - student leaders and 'Young Patriots' - a coalition of mostly informal associations that have backed Gbagbo throughout the crisis – invaded the main courthouse in Abidjan, blocking the swearing-in of new judges. Two judges were seriously wounded, as were some journalists. According to media sources, the security forces did nothing to prevent the violence. On Wednesday, the "Young Patriots" stormed the Golf Hotel in the upper-class neighbourhood of Cocody with the aim of dislodging rebel representatives who are being accommodated there. This time around, police intervened, using tear gas and beating the demonstrators. Back at the courthouse, the judges were finally sworn in on that day. Also on Wednesday, the PDCI and a coalition of parties who support its temporary withdrawal from the government condemned the latest events and decided that each would hold consultations with their respective ministers in light of the latest events. On Thursday, the association of judges launched an "unlimited" strike to press for respect and protection. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, news broke that the labour and finance ministries had signed a law stipulating that Ivorians be given priority over non-Ivorians in new recruitments. The opposition, media and the Economic Community of West African States criticised the move, accusing Abidjan of drafting an "exclusionary" policy at a time when the country has been dubbed xenophobic and anti-foreigner. Thursday’s declaration was Washington's first public statement on Cote d’Ivoire since approving on 27 February the deployment of a fully-fledged United Nations peacekeeping mission to the once peaceful country. Among other things, the 6,240 peacekeepers will help restore peace and security throughout the country and help the government organise presidential elections in 2005. The US laid the blame for the ongoing crisis in Cote d’Ivoire on all political actors. It called on all parties to put aside their "partisan interest", reminded the head of state that, ultimately, he was responsible for the peace process and urged him to resolve the stalemate.