The following report highlights major news developments in politics, health, and security in Cote d’Ivoire as of 9 December. This edition focuses on an 8 December council of ministers, the upcoming political dialogue, and COVID-19 update. The report includes background information to add context to the news items.
POLITICS
Council of Ministers Focuses on Key Issues
Media reported that during its 8 December council of ministers, the government addressed various key issues, including the fight against corruption, the ongoing General Population and Housing Census (RGPH), and the violence relating to pupils’ demand for early vacations in parts of the country, which the authorities pledged to contain.
Background: During a recent “clean hand” operation, the Government decided to fight corruption in state-owned companies which resulted in the dismissal of some managing directors. The Government extended the deadline for the RGPH to 14 December. Pupils in several schools protested to demand early vacation, leading to violence and prompting several schools to close down.
Political Dialogue To Resume on 16 December
Media quoted the Government Spokesman Amadou Coulibaly as saying that the political dialogue between the Government and the opposition political parties will resume on 16 December. A newspaper close to the opposition Democratic Party of Cote d’Ivoire (PDC) termed it as the “the dialogue of the last chance for Ivorians.”
HEALTH
COVID-19 Update as of 8 December
New cases: 13 positive of 2,083 samples (0.6 percent)
Total cases: 61,857
New recoveries: 19
Total recoveries: 60,909
New deaths: 0
Total deaths: 706
Active cases: 236
New vaccination doses: 32,848
Total vaccination doses: 4,718,017
Source: Ministry of Health