Last year, on 24 December you came to power in Côte d'Ivoire as a result of what was called a "coup d'état". What is your assessment of the social and political situation of the country under the former regime and could you tell us what were the motivating factors when you took over the reins of government?
Thank you for this opportunity. Last year, on 24 December, young soldiers were on the streets with arms in their hands and they called me in. In view of their passionate disposition, it was expedient to quickly respond to their expectations in order to avoid unexpected happenings on Ivorian soil. Talking about the socio-political situation, it is obvious that the soldiers intervened because the situation was critical. The country's political life was in an impasse. Some political party leaders especially the RDR(Rally for the Republicans) were imprisoned for some time and the whole country even Presidents of countries in the subregion not to mention other Presidents around the world tried to make President Henri Konan Bédié see reason. He refused to listen to anyone because in his views these people were the agents of his political adversary Mr Allassane Dramane OUATTARA. Thus, he needed this radical refusal system for him to strongly oppose the candidacy of Mr Alassane Dramane OUATTARA. In his views, the longer RDR leaders remained in prison the better it was in the final analysis. This is why verdicts were passed on them on thrump-up charges. They were supposed to remain in prison for months enough time for Mr BEDIE to stand for election as a sole candidate. This explains why the young soldiers, in the mission they saddled me with, requested me in the second phase to reform politics in Côte d'Ivoire. The first phase was aimed at improving soldiers' living conditions and on this subject we are doing our best. In fact, since I left the Army in October 1995 the living conditions of young soldiers did not improve. Finally, the Army was left in the lurch. The real leaders were busy playing politics of contempt and tribalism-they were set to serve themselves rather than serving the people.
You said earlier that what happened was not a coup d'état, how do you view it then?
According to what I learnt in the prestigious schools where I studied, for one to talk about a coup d'état, one must jointly decide to teach a lesson to a regime in power for one reason or the other because of bad practices in government. We must agree on the reason for intervention in order to remove those in power. We have to ascertain with whom we are going to carry out the action, how we are going to carry out the plan, with what resources. This what is called a planned coup d'état. What are the foreign powers on whom to depend? You can not carry out a coup d'état without the support of big world powers such as France, United Kingdom or the United States. These three powers should have been contacted at least for international courtesy. I never held a meeting with the soldiers. This is why it was not a coup d'état but rather a popular revolution. The young army mutineers were dissatisfied and they took to the street. When I came back from the village because I did not want to do what happened later I called President BEDIE asking him to attend to the mutineers and hold dialogue with them. First, he refused to attend to them - but when I insisted he asked me to send over the dissastified mutineers. Unfortunately, when the soldiers recounted their predicament he showed so much disregard for them that they were infuriated. They parted ways in disagreement by banging the door.
There were big upheavals in the socio-political life of Côte d'Ivoire, What are your immediate priorities?
The mission assigned to me by the mutineers is to
improve their living conditions. We are taking action
in this regard. I have friends who are providing
some support by way of equipment for soldiers. They
also asked me to reform the country's political
life. Concerning political reforms, we are setting
up a vast programme of popular consultations. I
have aready met the diplomatic community, all traditional
chiefs and village heads. They came from the rural
areas of Côte d'Ivoire. We also met with trade
union representatives, transporters and students
several times. The students were constantly at loggerheads
with the former regime.We also met with women representatives
while we still continue consultations with them.
I will meet with judges because economic operators
in Côte d'Ivoire are worried and I understand
their concern. I am even more worried than they
are because our judges sometimes took some action
which left much to be desired. In the past, the
three powers were separated. We are going to meet
with them to ask them to kindly preserve us from
shame, to show their respect for the value of their
professional oath and not to allow themselves to
be manipulated by those in power. |
There are many American investors in Côte d'Ivoire, what are the measures you took to protect their interests?
We must be able to build solid guarantees around investors in Côte d'Ivoire by reassuring them. If our judges allow themselves to be manipulated this will have grave consequences on the investors and those who invest their taxpayers' money here in good faith. We have to reassure them that will be in no danger to their investments. In other words, we are urging American business men and women to have confidence in us by investing in our country.
What are the greatest challenges facing Côte d'Ivoire and how do you perceive the future?
The challenges facing Côte d'Ivoire are challenges of the century. Côte d'Ivoire founds itself in an international concept. The big challenge of every one is that the economy should be bouyant. In Côte d'Ivoire we are yet to acquire the poven honesty of Americans and French people. The leaders seek to serve themselves rather than serving the country. We hope to reorientate the mentality of Ivorians. We have started the transition programme. We will create a Consultative Constitutional Council so that all we are doing could be hinged on a legal framework. This Council will be headed by one of the oldest citizens, Mr Mathieu EKRA, Grand Mediator who was a companion in the struggle with President HOUPHOUET Boigny. We hope to update the laws. We want to act in such a way that the whole country will feel involved. The West, North, Center and South will be involved. We are going to involve members of the civil society, women and students. They will be the leaders just like the referees who will keep a vigilant eye on the various sub-committees under creation. Concerning the constitution and the electoral code: we will keep the good things and progressively eliminate the unaccepted aspects. There will be commissions for free and fair elections, the census and identity cards. Between now and February, we are going to set up these commisions. By the end of March the work of these commissions will be completed. By the middle of April each commission will present its report to the Government. When all the groups will complete their work, the Government will sum up everything and then draw up the timetable for the elections.
Mr President, one question on everybody's lips is, Will you be a candidate at the elections?
First, we have to meet the expectations of the people. When I finish settling all the urgent problems bedeviling my soldiers and if I stilll have the energy I will ask the people. Since the people is sovereign, they will decide. As for me, I have a mission to accomplish and that is my concern.
What is your final message to our 4.5 million readers?
Côte d'Ivoire occupies a very important position for the United States and France in the subregion. Between Côte d'Ivoire and the United States, there are friendship ties linking both countries made possible by history. You have adopted us, it is your duty to come and help us build the country. I can assure you that we found a small disorder in the scheme of things but this will not last for long. Investors need to have the courage to come to Côte d'Ivoire. We will do everything so ensure their protect their investments. |
