I-COAST: FIFA World Cup Trophy Displayed at State House

Ivorians spent a memorable weekend, when on its way to South Africa the FIFA World Cup Trophy was displayed in the Ivorian capital, Abidjan, in the State House, on Friday 16 October and the next day in ‘Palais de la Culture’ Conference Hall.

On Thursday, the State-run TV station, RTI called on Ivorians to line the streets to welcome the trophy to Abidjan. When granted an interview by the national Radio channel the same day, the President of the national football association, Jacques Anouma said he was happy that FIFA gave such an opportunity to many Ivorians to see the trophy a few days after the Elephants qualified for their second World Cup tournament following a 1-1 draw with Malawi.
In the state House, President Gbagbo was the only person allowed to touch the FIFA soccer World Cup trophy, ‘Let’s pray for our national football team, the Elephants, they must struggle hard to bring back this trophy, so as to give the opportunity to many persons to touch it’, the President said before the Minister of sport, the officials of the Ivorian Football Association, and sports journalists marvelled at the coveted 18-carat gold trophy.
The many citizens who were called on to line the streets to welcome the trophy were denied access to the state house where the Cup was displayed the first day, but the next day, they took advantage of the public exposition at Palais de la Culture Conference Hall to see the Cup.
More and more Ivorians dream of the soccer’s most treasured golden silverware and Drogba Didier has become something like a talisman which will help bring the trophy back in Abidjan for a cheerful and most memorable celebration.

Populations celebrate 2009 Champions’ League Trophy with Toure Yaya

The international football player, Toure Yaya Gnegneri, defender of FC Barcelona, got a tremendous welcome at airport “Felix Houphouet Boigny” in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Monday June 1st 2009. He has come back home to present the 2009 Champions’ League trophy.

The Ivorian Minister of Sports, Dagobert Banzio, authorities of the football federation, Family Toure and fans gathered in the airport to celebrate the come back of the son prodigy Toure Yaya Gnegneri, who has decided to fly back to his home country to present the 2009 Champions’ League Trophy to the population. The big road that goes from Airport “Felix Houphouet Boigny”, in Port Bouët Disctrict to the private home of the President Gbagbo in Cocody District was crowded with young people celebrating the football hero and the 2009 Champions’ League trophy. A reception was hold at the private home of the Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo in honour of Toure Yaya Gnegneri. “I dedicate this trophy to the populations living in Côte d’Ivoire. I am glad to know that this trophy brings you a great joy. I invite politicians, decision makers, religious leaders and any person living in this country to give peace a chance in order to bring more joy in the heart of Ivorians” has said the national football hero.

Selay M.K.

Ivory Coast: Magic System for children Schooling

World renowned music group “MAGIC SYSTEM” formed by four youngsters (Asalfo, Goudé, Tino and Manadja) from Abidjan’s rough-and-ready Marcory district granted audience to me over the weekend, on the 2nd edition of FEMUA (Festival des Musiques Urbaines d’Anoumanbo), an international music festival organized by the band on April 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th 2009 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Asalfo and the band, now known as Magic System, author, of the title track “Premier Gaou”, sold worldwide, have come back to Anoumambo, the slum where they grew up. They have opened a primary school in order to fight against illiteracy and help poor parents send their offspring to school. They also have organized FEMUA, an international music festival, in order to raise fund to help local populations. Today, MAGIC SYSTEM is known worldwide, its members are rich, popular and powerful, but they have kept links with their home town. Asalfo, the lead singer of the band has opened up to me. Excerpts of his interview below:

Selay: What’s your message for ivorian and global youth?

Asalfo: I have a message of hope for younger generations, it’s important to follow the example of those who work hard to make their dream come true. They must think creatively, plan, adjust and persevere to succeed. Today, we’re offering a primary school as a gift to Anoumambo dwellers, we’re proud to do that because we know local populations need such facilities. It’s then a great honor for us to lead this project to its end. I hope this festival will drag on and will attract more and more participants from every corner of the world as other international festivals.

Selay : You’ve just offered a primary school to Anoumambo dwellers to raise awareness on schooling issue, but today few are those kids in Anoumambo who would like to continue to go to school, most of them want to do music now. Do you have a particular message for all those kids and young singers that are here today at FEMUA? Do you have any project for them?

Asalfo: Well, if they have to make a choice between money and school, I would advise them to choose school. Even I and my fellow magicians (other members of the band) are successful music singers today because we attended school, and what we learned at school has served, it has opened many doors in the field of music indeed. They must also keep in mind that it is not easy to succeed in the field of music: only 10 or 15% can succeed. But those people interested in music career must not fold arms and quit, they must work hard to achieve their goal.

For more about MAGIC SYSTEM, visit: www.magic-system.fr

Selay M.K.

Côte d’Ivoire: Toxic waste victims call for urgent help

Over two years after the dumping of deadly chemicals in Abidjan by the Probo Koala, the victims are losing hope and calling for urgent help to alleviate the strange diseases they got.

Overview of the story

Ten people died and more than 100,000 sought medical treatment after hundred of tons of waste was offloaded in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on August 19, 2006, from a Vessel chartered by the Dutch commodities trading company, Trafigura Beheer BV. Tommy, an Ivorian company, loaded the waste on special trucks and dumped it at several sites around the city, in some places just yards from residential homes, prompting whole neighbourhood to flee. A government commission investigated the cause of the deadly toxic waste scandal and accused some senior officials implicated in the affair. But, findings of the reports did not bring charges to bear on any of those accused within it. Demonstrators expressed their rage by burning tires. Many vehicles were set on fire by mobs who claimed justice and compensation. One month later, the Ivorian government hired a French company to dispose of the waste. The company moved the toxic waste out of the country. But, till now, many people still suffer from the dumping of the lethal ‘slop’.

Infringement of an international treaty

Côte d’Ivoire and Netherlands are signatories to the Basel Convention, an international treaty that seeks to limit the generation and transboundary movement of hazardous waste. However, the scandal occurred because of a manifest willingness to violate legal and regulatory institutions with the goal of serving personal interests. Actually, the former Ivorian Transport Minister, Kobenan Anaky, has granted the company Tommy and its partners a license to offload cargoes (from the vessel) without assessing their capacity and ability to do so. He also granted the company illegal authority to access ships at the port. Moreover, the company Tommy loaded the waste on special trucks and dumped it in the city under the escort of Ivorian armed forces, with the agreement of army officials. On the other hand, many Ivorian senior officials were aware that Tommy was dumping waste in and around Abidjan, rather than neutralizing it. These officials said they believed Tommy had the facilities to dispose of the waste legally.

Protests broken up by riot police

Few days after the dumping of the deadly chemicals, dwellers of waste dumping sites moved down the streets to claim for justice many times. Their protest was broken up by the riot police who fired tear gas and water cannon on the demonstrators, chasing them through the streets. Many demonstrators were injured and some were arrested by riot police.

The deal with Trafigura: a big rip-off

Two months later, Ivorian authorities started legal proceedings against Trafigura and three of its representatives in Côte d’Ivoire, three French citizens, were jailed in Abidjan. On February 13^th 2007, the Ivorian government set a private deal with Trafigura, the Dutch commodities trading company. In the name of this agreement, Trafigura paid 152 million Euros to the Ivorian government, and in return, Trafigura representatives previously jailed in Abidjan were released and the government stopped the legal proceedings against the Dutch company.

After the pact was made with Trafigura, Ivorian authorities organized a conference broadcast on the national TV channel and said the jackpot would serve three goals: a financial compensation for toxic waste victims to pay adequate treatment; the construction of factories specialized in the treatment of domestic waste; the payment for the service of the French company that disposed of the deadly chemicals. The French company got paid for its service, but till now, there are no obvious signs that a factory is being constructed and most of the toxic waste victims have not received the financial compensation.

A financial compensation too small to cure the diseases provoked by the deadly chemicals

Toxic waste victims registered at sanitary facilities received 300 Euros, a fair financial compensation for an adequate treatment. Jules Dekagnan, a dweller of Cocody Riviera, one of the suburbs where the deadly chemicals had been dumped tells his story: “[...] my wife got some problems and reported to Cocody Clinic for treatment. 4 months later, she received 300 Euros compensation, but till now, she still complains of pain in the throat and other parts of the body. Doctors said about 1000 Euros were needed for adequate treatment [...] we call on kind-hearted people for help. We have no one to turn to.” This story is the one of thousands of other victims whose voices remain unfortunately unheard. Mr Dekagnan is luckily still in good health but he has no one to turn to in order to alleviate the strange disease his wife has got.

Toxic waste victims seeking for an alternative justice

Adoni Yao, the Chairman of the national federation of the organizations of toxic waste victims said, as a last resort, its organization has hired a lawyer to start legal procedure against Trafigura and the Ivorian government.

In August 2008, 12 Ivorian officials have been arrested. Today, Monday September 29^th 2008, these officials are appearing before the court of appeal of Abidjan in a legal proceeding against those accused within the toxic waste scandal. However, the most worrying issue is to know what long term effects this disaster will have on the environment and on the future generations.

Selay M.K

Champions’ League Cup played in Moscow; Abidjan on the move

On Wednesday, May 21^st 2008, the world has watched a great soccer spectacle; the champions’ league final match opposing Chelsea FC to Manchester United. The game was there to be won for both teams fighting for Europe’s soccer elite trophy. Manchester United beat Chelsea 6-5 on penalties after a dramatic 1-1 draw. Kalou and Drogba families in Abidjan have spent an eventful evening that day.

Manchester United and Chelsea FC offered a good soccer spectacle the evening of May 21^st May. Ivorians felt honoured as two amongst the cream of their gifted soccer players, namely Salomon Kalou and Drogba Didier were on the spot. In Abidjan, the economic hub of Ivory Coast, shops started to shut theirs doors two hours before the event, posters of the two prodigal sons could be seen everywhere, traffic jams with horns of cars and people comings and goings gave a festive and colourful picture to this evening…Nothing that one can put into words can express the fever that caught Ivorians that day. On the other hand, nothing that one can put into words can express the range of emotions that Ivorians supporting Chelsea FC, fans of Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba, and Kalou and Drogba families watching around the football event went through during this game. Nothing anyone can say or write will ever capture the celebration of the equalizer; no words can express the emotions of the crowd gathered at Kalou and Drogba’s homes during the drama of the penalty shoot-out. It was simply “great”.

Most of the interviewees predicted the victory of Chelsea FC over Manchester United and asserted that this final match was an opportunity for Chelsea to break out from the yoke of Manchester United. Then, they started to celebrate the victory of Chelsea before the beginning of the match. Kalou and Drogba families in Abidjan made no exception!

At 17:45 GMT, one hour before the starting of the match, the Drogba family has welcomed a crowd of kids and male and female adults who came to watch the match with the Drogba family on a high screen set up for the occasion. When the Slovakian referee Lubos Michel blew his whistle to let the match start, clamours raised from the crowd and Albert Drogba, Didier Drogba’s father and other members of the Drogba family clapped their hands.

The crowd gathered at Drogba’s felt sad and disappointed when Cristiano Ronaldo scored the first goal through header from Wes Brown’s cross 26 minutes after the beginning of the match. But Lampard scored the equalizer through an Essien pass just before the interval and the whole crowd was as caught by spasms, running here and there; some of the spectators embraced Albert Drogba, Didier Drogba’s father, and raised his hands up. The game was there to be won for both teams in normal time. During the interval the house got livelier with singing and dancing. During this while, Albert Drogba, the father of the international soccer player Didier Drogba was happy to answer to some of the questions we asked him. “I really didn’t expect to see my son Didier Drogba becoming a soccer player and reaching such a high level today. Yes, indeed, Didier Drogba has reached the top highest point of his carrier today…Actually, when I sent him to school, I expected that he become a lawyer or a doctor but not a soccer player. Today, Didier Drogba is showing that he is more useful as an international soccer player and his mother and I and the other members of the family are his very first supporters” asserted Albert Drogba.

The second half time was dramatic; Lampard and Didier Drogba hit the woodwork and when Didier Drogba was sent off four minutes from the end of extra time by the referee for slapping Vidic, the public started booing while Didier Drogba father’s held his head within his two hands. Then, the public claimed Kalou Salomon to come to Chelsea’s rescue. Chelsea coach Avram Grant, it seems, had heard the lamentations of the crowd; two minutes into extra-time, he made his first change, sending on Salomon Kalou for Florent Malouda. This change came as a breath of fresh air and sparked joyful and noisy celebrations in the crowd.

The second half time and the extra-time elapsed, letting the public and the members of the Drogba family disappointed, doubtful and with the fear of losing the European soccer elite trophy.

Some of the spectators, those who have no spirit to support such a decisive test, decided to leave the place when the soot-out started. When Terry missed the penalty that would have given Chelsea the trophy, some spectators started shouting while others broke down in tears. When Anelka’s shot was palmed away by Van der Sar, front side spectators collapsed in their chairs. The joyful ambiance was suddenly replaced with a mournful mood. As the crowd scattered around, people discussed the tactics of Avram Grant, besides, many persons who gathered behind Albert Drogba (the father of Didier Drogba) to watch the match said the coach of Chelsea should be considered as responsible for this defeat. Contrarily to the public opinion, Mr Kalou Senior, the father of Salomon Kalou did not blame the coach of Chelsea even if he asserted that he is disappointed: “I am disappointed because I didn’t expect to this result…but as I am not a soccer specialist, I can neither blame the coach for his tactics nor for his choices and changes.”

On May 21^st 2008, the people of Ivory Coast, the fans of Chelsea throughout the world and the players of Chelsea FC received a very bitter pill from Manchester United. That day, Manchester United was crown as King of European football after beating Chelsea 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Despite this sad outcome, Ivorians still are celebrating their two prodigal sons, their soccer heroes: Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou.

Selay,
reporting from Kalou and Drogba’s homes in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Côte d'Ivoire: The Reggae Star IJahman sings for peace!

IJahman Levi, the living figurehead of Reggae Music gave a high concert performance on Friday 2^nd May 2008 at ‘Palais de la Culture’ in Abidjan, the economic hub of Ivory Coast. A day before this colourful performance, he has been welcomed by the President of the Republic, Mr. Gbagbo Laurent and the chairpersons of the trade unions and the political authorities gathered at the presidential palace for the celebration of the International Labor day. There, IJahman urged Ivorians to unite in order to give peace a chance and help the country comes out of the dreadful situation it is still living for almost eight years now. IJahman’s legendary chant ‘‘I’ve got to carry Jah heavy Load’’ was sung by all these VIPs, gathered in that place, as a single chorus lead by the reggae star himself. IJahman has been congratulated by the President of the Republic and the all the representants of the salaried workers for his unrelenting struggle for Africans’ freedom.

JAH! Rastafariiii!

Selay MariusK.

Ivory Coast: a TV show presenter stands for presidential elections

Friday, April 18^th 2008, Yves Zogbo Junior, the famous Ivorian TV show presenter announces to AFP (the French leading press agency) his candidacy for the long-postponed presidential elections, finally due to November 30^th 2008.

Mr. Yves Zogbo Junior has been living into exile for three years now. He currently lives in Democratic Republic of Congo after a brief stay in Cotonou the economical and political hub of Benin. He hastily left Ivory Coast, his home country, after he missed being killed when he came under attack by a mysterious commando at his home during a night. His bodyguard was deadly shot during this evening assault. Throughout “hot corners” and “streets discussion places” in Abidjan, it is rumoured that Yves Zogbo Junior was assaulted because he embezzled a huge amount of money belonging to Charles Ble Goude, the leader of “Jeunes Patriotes”, a patriotic resistance movement. Yves Zogbo Junior denied this charge but the news about this embezzlement still run around, so why?

During almost two decades, Yves Zogbo Junior has been the cult TV show presenter. He was admired for his “maestria” and for his high MC qualities.

The announcement of Yves Zogbo Junior’s candidacy for presidential elections sounds like the entrance of an outsider horse in a long and difficult race. At the present time, Yves Zogbo Junior is the advisor of Joseph Kabila, the President of Democratic Republic of Congo. He has been given the responsibility to supervise the “effectiveness of investments”. This new political position certainly permitted to Yves Zogbo Junior to get accustomed to political matters and to master the workings of politics either. When Yves Zogbo Junior was recently asked to elaborate on the reason of his sudden commitment into politics, he declared to a journalist of AFP: “My candidacy campaign for a return to values, a fair management of the resources of the Republic and for the respect of human rights in our country [Ivory Coast]”. Yves Zogbo Junior is certainly willing to stand for the presidential elections pencilled for November 30^th 2008, however, he still cast doubt on his return to Ivory Coast. “My bodyguard was deadly shot and I missed being killed […] you should understand that I will return when all will be safe and quiet there” he said.

The ex-President Henri Konan Bedie and the ex-Prime Minister Allassane Dramane Ouattara have already announced their candidacy for the coming presidential elections. Meantime, in an interview published by the French Newspaper “Le Monde” on Friday 18^th April 2008, President Laurent Gbagbo refused to say if he will stand for the presidential elections due to November 30^th or not. Bluff? Political strategy? Time will tell.

Selay M.K.