The following report highlights a pro-opposition newspaper’s opinion on the political dialogue, COVID-19 update, and the emergence of the Omicron variant in Cote d’Ivoire. The report includes background information to add context to the news items.
POLITICS
Pro-Opposition Daily Accuses Government of Hampering Political Dialogue
According to a commentary by a pro-opposition daily, the recent statement by the Prosecutor of the Republic, threatening to bring to court Henri Konan Bedie and Pascal Affi N’guessan for their alleged responsibility in the 2020 presidential election violence, could hamper the political dialogue. The commentary accused the government of maneuvering to reject the demands that the opposition highlighted in the agenda of the political dialogue.
Background: The Government and the opposition are yet to resume talks after the Ministry of Security and Interior collected the various proposed discussion points of all the parties involved in the process. The main demands of the opposition focus on the reform of the Independent Electoral Commission and the release of all the civilian and military prisoners, among others.
HEALTH
COVID-19 Update as of 4 January
New cases: 1009 positive of 4,375 samples (23.1 percent)
Total cases: 73,786
New recoveries: 416
Total recoveries: 63,365
New deaths: 2
Total deaths: 723
Active cases: 9,698
New vaccination doses: 19,365
Total vaccination doses: 7,243,628
Source: Ministry of Health
Health Authorities Confirm Cases of Omicron Variant in Cote d’Ivoire
On 4 January, Mireille Dosso, the director general of the Pasteur Institute, confirmed the emergence of the COVID-19 Omicron variant in Cote d’Ivoire. Dosso said that on 134 samples tested, 78 positive cases were identified for Omicron. Dosso also advised everyone who complains of flu, cough, sore throat, and fever — these signs that are identical to those of the COVID-19 — to go and get tested.
Background: Recently, several people in Cote d’Ivoire have complained of flu, cough, sore throat, and fever, leading to rumors of flu in the country. The director of the Pasteur Institute, however, rejected those rumors, saying that “for the moment, the data in our possession do not reveal that we have an influenza epidemic in Cote d’Ivoire.” She warned that 95 percent of people who show these signs may be cases of COVID-19.”
