Day One: 09.19.02


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Day 1 - Thursday, Sept 19 - 9:00am

It seems there's some civil unrest going on in Abidjan.  I thought I'd record the events as they unfold... could be a posting for the site if this escalates.

On BBC, about 1/2 hour ago, I heard that a bunch of military had attacked police stations early this morning.  I think they said it was over a salary dispute.  Fighting has been "going on for several hours" now.

9:30am - Ariel (my neighbor - 4 1/2 years old) comes over and tells me there's a coup.  He tells me that if anyone comes here to attack, I should close all my windows and doors.  An older boy, Guy, perhaps 12 years old, says they cut off the radio last night but it is working now.

I head over to Unisse's house (Ariel's mother) and ask her to keep me posted if she sees the news.  I am surprised she doesn't have the news on. Ariel tells me (and Unisse confirms) that "they" blocked the road so that the 6am bus to Abidjan from Taabo had to turn back to Taabo.

I tried to find news on the radio (I lose BBC from 10-11am) and found only music.

10:30am - I see school was cancelled, and wonder if it is because of the coup attempt.  But the word is that the teachers aren't ready for school to start yet (the official start date was last Monday).  I hear neighbors telling each other that there were "words" in Abidjan.

10:45am - I go ask my neighbors when to expect the news on the radio (11:30).  I'm surprised the Peace Corps hasn't called yet with an order to either stay at my site or move to a central location.

11:45am - I am glued to the radio hoping for news.  The BBC announcer says "In Ivory Coast, fighting continues.  Now for sports."  Not helpful!!!!!!!!!!

12:00pm - BBC says they have been fighting since dawn in Ivory Coast.  Looks like it is some discontented military people who were about to be laid off... or is it bigger than that?  No one is sure at this time.  The report goes on to say that there is fighting in three cities and five are known dead.  750 rebel soldiers are involved.  The Prime Minister (Laurence Gbagbo) is in Italy, but he reported on state TV that non-mutinous soldiers have secured all important buildings.

12:30pm - BBC reports the rebels are in control of the city of Bouake and that one government minister is being held hostage.  The battle started around 4am and all was quiet by 11:30am in Abidjan.  People believe General Guei, the leader of the last coup, is responsible for this one.  In Abidjan, no one is venturing out or moving around.  Shooting started in the neighborhood called Cocody (which is very near the Peace Corps hostel).  There seems to be confusion as to whether this is a mutiny or a coup (I wonder who cares???).  The last coup (1999) started as a mutiny.

Report continues that Cote d'Ivoire (RCI - Republic of Cote d'Ivoire) was once very stable, and is now "not a basket of stability."  They discuss the timing, saying that until the mid 90s, RCI was very connected with France politically.  As that has diminished, unrest has grown.  There has been much political debate on nationalists vs. immigrants and the north vs. the south.

3:00pm - BBC reports that General Guei has been killed.  People assume he is behind this attack.  The Interior Minister was also killed when his house was attacked by rebel soldiers.

The rebels are still in control of Bouake; a force has been dispatched to retake control.

The reporter in Abidjan says "bodies were lying in the streets" but that all is quiet now.

BBC also reports that the Minister of Sport has been taken hostage in Bouake.  He was in Bouake to "kick off" the West African Cup soccer tournament.  I wonder why the US doesn't have/need a "Minister of Sport."  Cote d'Ivoire loves titles, hierarchy, and ministers.  I bet they have 30+ ministers in their government. Weird.

The northern city of Korhogo is also reported as unstable, with no electricity.

Looks like this was timed to coincide with President Gbagbo being out of the country.  He's in Italy to meet with the Pope.  Gbagbo says he's not changing his itinerary.  Military strong points were also targetted.  The attack was well organized, with simultaneous attacks in all three cities - Abidjan, Korhogo, and Bouake.  All that points to a coup attempt, not just a rebel uprising.

Just last Friday Guei attacked Gbagbo saying his attempts at reconciliation were mere charades.

One reporter talked to gendarmes (military police - a level between local police and the national army) who said they had been told to shoot anyone who looks suspicious.  The reporter described the gendarmes as "tense" and "trigger happy."

Abidjan is so quiet that people seem to believe the attackers have retreated and are regrouping for further attack.

3:30pm - BBC update confirms Guei and the Interior Minister are dead.

4:05pm - Guei's party is denying they are behind the coup attempt.

5:05pm - BBC begins calling the uprising an "attempted coup."  Troops are controlling the FM radio news station.  There are few people in the streets in Abidjan, but the government is saying that things will go back to normal tomorrow.  Gbagbo's aides are now saying he will return to RCI.

6:15pm - BBC says RCI was a "beacon of stability" and is now "dangerous."  They are blaming xenophobia and the nationalists for the tension.  Guei recently pulled his party members (UNDP - Union for Democracy and Peace) from the coalition government; he has been dissatisfied since he lost the election in 2000.

6:45pm - RCI TV (state TV) announces a curfew from 6pm - 8am beginning today and lasting until Tuesday 9/24.  My neighbor Unisse had also heard that Bouake has been recovered by the government and the Sports Minister and his wife have been released.  I wonder how much of that is government misinformation designed to bring calm, since it was reported on state TV.

7:05pm - BBC reports Bouake and Korhogo are in control of the rebels; Abidjan is in the control of the military.  TV and radio are back on (I take that as a good sign).  A government spokesperson says that it is only a matter of hours before Bouake and Korhogo are regained.  A reporter in Bouake says the Minister of Sport is still being held captive.  Abidjan is deserted.  There is a military presence outside the national radio station but not in the streets.

A reporter wonders whether ethnic tensions in the military (which are reflective of the RCI ethnic tensions) could have contributed to the coup attempt.

Word is Gbagbo will meet with the Pope tomorrow morning, then return to RCI.  The Minister of Defense defines this as a coup attempt, not an uprising.

The airport is closed.

8:05pm - BBC reports that 80 people have been killed; 150 injured.  No further reports on Cote d'Ivoire that evening on BBC (which I lose at 9pm).