First activity scheduled to support efforts to coordinate media support activities related to the November 30 general elections in Cote d'Ivoire

Together with local and regional partners, IMS is hosting a meeting on 16-18 October within the framework of the Partnership for Media and Conflict Prevention in West Africa, where representatives from media, government, civil society, the electoral commission and security forces will discuss the electoral process, security issues, access to information and create a platform for collaboration ahead of the elections in Cote d'Ivoire scehduled for November 30.

This was agreed in a meeting between IMS and its local and regional partners, who met in Abijan last week to discuss the programming of activities aimed at media ahead of the election.

Other activities will include training representatives from the more than 100 community radio stations dotting the country about the electoral process and the publication of a media guide outlining relevant laws, codes of ethics and best practices.

The vice-president of Independent Electoral Commission, Dr. Fatoumata Traore Diop, says she is looking forward to continued assistance from partners as the electoral process moves ahead.

Côte d'Ivoire became divided in 2002 between the Government-controlled south and the rebel Forces Nouvelles-held north, but last year's Ouagadougou Peace Agreement paved the way for an end to the conflict and included a provision calling for free and fair elections to be held. Presidential polls were to be held in 2005, but have been delayed several times since then.

Present at the meeting in Abijan were representatives from IMS, MFWA, Network of Africa Freedom of Expression Organizations, the Commission Electorale Independante (Independent Election Commission of Cote d'Ivoire), the Conseil Nationale de la Press (National Press Council of Cote d'Ivoire) and the Conseil Nationale de la Communication et l'Audiovisuel (National Communication and Audiovisual Council of Cote d'Ivoire).